Ibuka: Room for Giants | Photo via NMK

NMK National Heritage Art Competition for youth 18 – 25 years old: Room for Giants – Art for Change, by Nov. 7 2014

Ibuka: Room for Giants | Photo via NMK
Ibuka: Room for Giants | Photo via NMK

Are you 18 – 25 years old?
Are you creative and innovative?
And are you ready to share your talent for a worthy cause?

Then Wild Life Africa (WLA) and the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) are collaborating with Ibuka and Maller Market ltd to give you an opportunity to help promote the role of art in enhancing wildlife conservation awareness.

And how do we propose that you do this? By participating in the NMKNational Heritage Art Competition for youth 18 – 25 years old whose 2014 theme is “Room for Giants: Art for Change” and donating your winning piece to raise funds for the conservation of wildlife.

Participation is encouraged from artists living in all regions in Kenya. The artwork must address conservation of wildlife. All submitted artworks will go through a panel of judges and only forty (40) artworks will be selected for the national competition and exhibition. The Gala will be held at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in December 2014. The artworks will then move to Nairobi National Museum for a two months exhibition.

The grand prize is a fully sponsored world class experience of Kenya’s rich natural heritage in a top wildlife destination where the winner will spend quality time with an internationally renowned artist in a 2 weeks personalized art apprenticeship program; a unique combination of fun, heritage and art!

If you are interested in participating in this competition please read the concept and details below:

THE CONCEPT: “Room for Giants: Art for Change”
Room for Giants: Room for giants refers to the opportunity the project is providing for the conservation of Kenya’s magnificent wildlife. It also refers to the opportunity this project is providing today’s young artists as they forge their way to becoming tomorrow’s Masters.

Art for change: How can an artist use his creativity to create change in our society? Art for change is based on the principle of providing artists an opportunity to give back to the community. The project aims to use art to create positive change in the way we address conservation matters.

RULES FOR ENTRY:
• The artist is free to capture any aspect of conservation of wildlife in his or her best way using visual arts.
• Open to Kenyan youth between 18 – 25yrs old
• Size of work should range between 50cm x 50m and 100cm x 100cm
• Artist is free to use any material of choice that is durable and easy to transport
• Paintings on canvas should be stretched or framed, paintings on paper should be framed
• You should submit your art to Nairobi National Museums or any of these museums: Karen Blixen Museum, Fort Jesus Museum, Kisumu Museum, Kitale Museum, Wajir Museum, Nyeri Museum and Kenyatta House Maralal.
• Deadline for submissions 7th November 2014. Submissions made after this date will be disqualified.
• Artworks that do not adhere to the theme and concept will be disqualified.
• Selected artworks will not be returned to the artists and will be sold during the gala night to raise funds for the conservation of wildlife.
• The following details should be submitted with the artwork (stick the information at the back of the artwork):
o Full name of the artist, telephone contact, postal address and email
o A brief write up about you.
o Title of the art work, and a description of maximum 100 words.
o Medium used (state whether you have used oil paint, water colour, stone, wood etc)
o Indicate that the artwork is for Room for Giants: Art for Change competition and Exhibition 2014

All participants will receive certificates of participation.

PRIZES:
1st Prize: a fully sponsored world class experience of Kenya’s rich natural heritage in a top wildlife destination where the winner will spend quality time with an internationally renowned artist in a 2 weeks personalized art apprenticeship program.

2nd Prize: A tour to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve on the Kenyan Coast, the largest stretch of coastal dry forest remaining in Eastern Africa and the second in Africa in birdlife conservation. This package includes visits to artists’ studios, galleries and museums in the coast region.

3rd Prize: A voucher of Kes 50,000 to purchase art materials
All the 40 young artists who will be selected for the national competition will also participate in an artist’s residency that will be facilitated by a team of East Africa’s top professional artists. The residency will happen at the end of the project and is aimed at providing the artists with a great opportunity for exposure and learning.

For more information contact any of the following:
• Ibuka on Tel 0714 169696 or 0775 241578. (browse https://www.facebook.com/ibukacommunity)
• The Art curator NMK on art@museums.or.ke

You can also talk to the curator of an NMK museum close to you for assistance.

Sondeka Festival

Sondeka Festival, Oct. 18-20 2014 @ Ngong Racecourse

Sondeka Festival
It’s been a long year… and you deserve a break! Sondeka’s got you covered!

From 18th to 20th October 2014 at the Sondeka festival at the Ngong racecourse, we are going to serenade your staff with a beauty spa, fashion, movies, games for the kids and for the lovers of old school Kenyan sounds, Them Mushrooms will be out to please. Plus, over 40 other acts from H_art the band, Ricardo Garcia, Sarabi, Maia, Santuri Safari DJs to Dhol Xtacy and more.

Sondeka Festival is the first ever Create and Innovation Festival in East Africa brought to you by Creatives Garage. If you are looking to invest, come and be amazed by robotic and innovation displays at the Festival.

Programme of the Festival

Check out their website for more information

To purchase discounted corporate tickets email awesome@creativesgarage.org or call us on +254708 752 575. Come join the party and support the creative industry!

An Ode to Hip Hop

Blankets And Wine 56: An Ode To Hip Hop, Oct. 5 2014 @ Carnivore Gardens

An Ode to Hip Hop
WHAT?
For the first time ever, we are going to take you through a thematic discovery of the creative industry, through “An Ode To Hip Hop”. On October 5th, our focus is going to be on the incredible impact that hip hop has had on music, literature, film, fashion, art, culture and our collective imagination.
This Sunday October 5th from 1:00pm – 9:00pm all four stages of Blankets & Wine i.e. music, film, literature, fashion and art will carry out interactive elements of this theme.

WHO?
Following the theme, we want to showcase the major players within the creative industry who have been influenced by Hip Hop culture and have made it their own.

Hip Hop heads and music lovers will be treated to the finest sounds coming out of the Hip Hop music scene here in Kenya featuring TAIO, Muthoni the Drummer Queen and Rabbit.

On the writers stage curated by the Kwani? Trust, join mind indulging conversations with Muthoni Drummer Queens as she leads tantilising topics during Kwani? Mahewa. Catalyst your mind into conversations during the Emerging Voices segment dissecting the mind of pan-African writers from the Jaladan writer’s collective. Take a seat on the bleachers in the shade and fall deep into sheng poems with Mistari Shend Speare. Meet your fellow Blankets & Wine family by simply swaping a book with one of them.

Music and Literature isn’t your thing? Not to worry the film stage is here to help, showcasing a variety of films highlighting key players in the Kenyan hip hop industry, including “Juliani – The Road Trips Connections”. Express yourself at the Art Hive with FA254, Made With Love and KMS – Kilometers, as they take you through artistic expressions in the hip hop genre.

Finally, end the evening on a high and dance the night away on the DJ stage with some of HomeBoyz Radio finest DJ’s including DJ FinalKut, DJ Zaq and DJ Jack Rooster from Café Mocha Lounge. Mixing Hip Hop sounds and afro-house the DJ stage will be kicking all day AND night!

[mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/jackrooster/grown-n-sexy-mix-for-g-money-in-the-morning-1035fm/ width=660 height=208 hide_cover=1 hide_tracklist=1] To encapture this dynamic Hip Hop theme, the very entertaining event ‘Hip Hop Karaoke’ will plug in to the space and take over the programme. From 6:00pm – 8:00pm let your hair down at the DJ Stage, and for a few songs be your favourite hip hop artist. We also encourage all Blankets & Winers to come dressed as your favourite Hip Hop artist.

WHAT TO EXPECT
From a music-driven lifestyle experience, Blankets & Wine has evolved into a multi-disciplinary, multi-stage platform for the expression of music, literature, film, fashion and art delivering an aesthetically and artisitcally stimulating experience. As all stages run concurrently, create your own B&W experience by picking up a programme at the entrance. Propel your creative curiosity through An Ode To Hip Hop and Discover, Love, Share at Blankets & Wine

CRAYON RAINBOWS

Exhibition/Documentary Film Screening: Crayon Rainbow, Oct. 1 2014 @ Kuona Trust

CRAYON RAINBOWS
You are cordially invited to the launch of the Crayon Rainbows exhibit. Commissioned by Hivos International through their SDI Programme, Crayon Rainbows is a documentary film and art exhibition that traces the growing divide/breakdown between teachers and their vocational devotion to their students in Kenyan public schools as told through the eyes of the children interviewed.

The production team held creative workshops that gave the children a platform to express their feelings about what school means to them. Apart from the interviews, the children partook in drawing, painting, play dough, photography and craft making exercises as well as song and dance.The project sampled 5 schools across Lamu, Samburu, Turkana, Nairobi and Tharaka-Nithi. These art works are what form the exhibit on display.

What the team found was a crayon box worth of dreams and disappointment nestled in a rainbow of hope.

[vimeo 101658764 w=500 h=281]

Crayon Rainbows trailer from Amirah Tajdin on Vimeo.

Reflectin Artward

Poetry, Music and Art Fête: Reflectin Artward, Sept. 27 2014 @ Hilton Hotel – Amboseli Room

Reflectin Artward
Nairobi’s Finest Art Extravaganza, The Bogof Presents “Reflectin Artward” At The Hilton Nairobi On 27th September 2014.

Date: September the 27th 2014
Venue: the Hilton Hotel Nairobi
Time: from 2 pm to 7 pm

For an afternoon filled with moving poetry, magical music and thought provoking artwork. The event dubbed “Reflectin Artward” will be hosted by the celebrated radio presenter, poet and musician Adelle Onyango.

Reflectin Artward is set to feature an eclectic mix of talent with; an electrifying hip hop performance by Jemedari backed by a live band, the sultry voices, acoustics and keys of KIU an all girl band and the musical mastery by Dira The Band.

Poetry will deftly be represented by one published poet and two spoken word artists. Abigail Arunga will give a reading from her recently launched anthology “Akello”.

The visual art works by the artist Nduta, Denet, Mel and Siege will certainly make the event complete. Their work will reflect the theme of the event and capture a wide breadth of visual art techniques to fit the mood, tone and ambiance of the event. Attendees could also get their live portraits done at the event.
Photographer Generali Njogu will display pictures from his journeys across the country and share the interesting visual perspectives of his lenses. Some of his work will be up for sale and attendees could even get themselves B.O.G.O.F.’s on his photos.

“Reflecting Artward”, promises to be a treat for the lovers of art and culture, with delight for the eyes and ears. If you are looking for entertainment that will draw in, to pull your heart’s strings and tingle your being, The B.O.G.O.F. at the Hilton is an event you should plan to attend. Mark your calendars.

“REFLECTIN ARTWARD” is a reminder to each of us to let art in and consume it entirely and at the same time allow it to take us on a voyage of self-reflection. Let the art mirror inside you.

Charged for the event are 500 shillings for students with proof of registration, 800 shillings for advance tickets purchased through Jambo Pay and 1000 shillings at the door.

The first fifty people to purchase a ticket at the door will get a copy of Abigail Arunga’s anthology “Akello”. There will be a 25% discount on food & drinks extended by Hilton Hotel.

You can get your advance tickets through MPESA business number 530100 to the business name the BOGOF. For any queries on tickets call support at Jambo Pay on 070992000

Afreeka

AFREEKA – A Story Moja Stir Up, Sept. 19 2014 @ National Museum

Afreeka
Catch some live art this Friday, 19th September, at Story Moja’s event ‘Afreeka’. A crew of vibrant contemporary young artists from Kuona Trust will be working on site throughout the evening giving you the unique chance of viewing the art process from start to finish.

Key features of the event include,a multimedia show with film, spoken word, storytelling and a mix of music celebrating the energy and creativity of the youth by local and international artists.

The event will be held at the National Museums of Kenya
Ticket will be available at Ksh 300/-

Absolut Art at Kuona

Absolut Night! Absolut Art Transformation Kenya, Sept. 20 2014 @ Kuona Trust

Absolut Art at Kuona
Absolut Art : Transformation

Date: September 20, 2014
Venue: Kuona Trust Art Center (off Dennis Pritt road)
Time: 3pm till midnight
Charges: 200 Ksh (goes to Faraja Foundation Arts Project)

About
ABSOLUT has always challenged conventions through creative collaborations with artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, and more recently Ellen von Unwerth and Spike Jonze.

Through this event we aim capture the spirit of urban Nairobi and appreciate the integration of art and life and celebrate the use of the most ordinary material combined with found items to create the most extra-ordinary pieces.

A week leading up to the competition, artists will begin creating their piece to be completed on the 20th September at Kuona Trust.

The event will begin at 3 pm, the audience will have the opportunity to watch the artists create their pieces that will need to be completed promptly at 7:00 pm. The judges will have an hour to consult and announce the winner. Artists will be ranked based on their creativity, originality, artistic skill, bold innovation.

Absolut Nights!

All the money collected from entrance fees shall go towards the Faraja Foundation Art project that is transforming the walls of the industrial area remand prison with murals.