Pawa 254

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So what is better than a brilliant Idea? A Bunch of brilliant Ideas. Pawa 254 is a website that promotes the collaboration of creative minds through artistic mediums for the purpose of social change across Kenya. 

Check out their website . Any creative minds in Nairobi interested in community oriented projects, Pawa254 seems a likely option to learn and improve skills and promote positive social change while you are at it!

STILL HERE!

"Problems are not stop signs, they are Guidelines."

  Robert Schuller

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Despite our recent hiatus, we would like to assure you that we are still here, and we are definitely still going! 

Thank you to all those who are supporting us, stay tuned!

Any thoughts on changing the world?

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“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. 

It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” 

                                                                  Albert Einstein

African Print

Off the runway and into your home

  Images from VLISCO's fashion collection 'Nouvelle Histoire' 

African designers are presently stepping up their game with the daring choices of fabrics and texture in both the fashion and interior design world. Its not rare to see fabrics switch lanes from fashion to interiors but it is rare to see one set fire so fast to both worlds. African print has been passionately embraced not only in Africa but in the European countries as well. From bold fashion pieces, to footwear, to upholstery, African print has earned its glorious moment in the spotlight in various elements of design. 

 Colourful African wax print fabrics and kente cloths. (left), (centre), (right).

The beauty of African print is that it has the ability to transform the character of your home with great ease. It can be used to play up a rather dull setting, accent the colours within the setting or give detail to a plain piece of furniture.  Below are a few examples of how African print can be used in the home.

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What is creativity?

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“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, 
taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” 

                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            Mary Lou Cook

Nneka

“I do it in a sweet way,but I sing to speak the truth." 

                                                                               -Nneka

    The truth is often a bitter pill to swallow but Nneka's soulful voice sweetens the taste. It is rare to find a musician so dedicated to the encouragement and enlightenment of her people. With so much to say, Nneka's music is totally about the message rather than entertainment. 

Make mistakes!

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“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

Art is knowing which ones to keep.”        

                                                                         Scott Adams

Growth

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"Develop a passion for learning. 

If you do, you will never cease to grow."

                                                                                       Anthony J. D'Angelo

Think positive!

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“To create more positive results in your life, 
replace if only with next time.”

                                                                                              

                                                          Anonymous

True-ly Africa-n

Nyasha Matonhodze- Zimbabwe source

Mind over Matter

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"Whether you think you can, 

or think you can't, 

You're right."

                                        Henry Ford

Cairo; Breaking the Barriers

Heart of Cairo, Tahrir Square

Cairo, the largest metropolitan area in Africa, was the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak with over 2 million protesters at Tahrir Square. Despite the revolution being predominantly peaceful, it was not without violent clashes between the police, the military forces and protesters. At least 846 people were killed and 6,000 injured.

A sad day for Art

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I find it quite saddening to see ignorant acts such as these take center stage in the name of Art.

In light of world Art day, as well as the 75th anniversary of the Swedish Artists Federation, Swedish Afro Artist Makode Aj Linde decided to set up a cultural performance at the Modern Museum in Stockholm. His focus was to spread awareness about female genital mutilation of women in Africa. That sounds great right?

Wrong.

Free, Inspiring and Unapologetic !

Ananaba Ibeabuchi

These beautiful pieces by Nigerian artist and blogger, Ananaba Ibeabuchi adopt a spontaneous and adventurous style that strike the eye!  

                

Don't you think?

                                                               

Check out more Ananaba Ibeabuchi here

All images courtesy of ibeananabart.blogspot.com 

Mandela, live on screen!

Images of Nelson Mandela's archive online.

In light of our last inspirational quote, we have decided to share  the Nelson Mandela Digital Archive Project,  launched by Google! 


In partnership with the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, the Google Cultural Institute has helped to bring Nelson Mandela's archive online.The Art Project uses Google's Street View technology to allow users to wander the halls of the South African  galleries and view the smallest details on actual memorabilia thanks to its "gigapixel" resolution. 

The Dinka Corset

"Manlual"

Dinka beaded corset (source)

When one hears the term 'corset' we immediately associate it with a woman's item of clothing, right? Well here is some interesting insight, the MEN of the Dinka tribe; a Southern Sudanese ethnic group,would beg to differ. Among the Dinka, corsets, known as "Manlual" are worn by men as a form of daily attire which primarily symbolize a man's age group as well as his wealth within the community.

Change the world!

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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

                                                                                                                        Nelson Mandela

The AFRO-DIZZY inspiration!

Laduma Ngxokolo-Maxhosa Knitwear

xhosa-inspired knitwear for Amakrwala by Laduma Ngxokolo

    Conscious Inspiration! A term used in art that describes a situation where an idea is borrowed , shaken up and transformed into an embodiment of personal expression. After all, what truly defines good design is the ability to re-invent something has been in existence into a representation of ones own “genuity". 
 The Maxhosa Knitwear illustrates exactly that!

Flippity Floppity Flotsam

Flip Flotsam

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We came across this quirky and informative video about...flip flops! Flip flops are a basic and often cheap and disposable holiday accessory to many around the world. In Kenya however, flip flops or pata patas are not only a much loved necessity for the hot climate, but also a source of enterprise, creativity and resourcefulness for many. Flip Flotsam explores the journey of a flip flop!

The Girl Effect

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"The Girl Effect is a MOVEMENT. It's about about ending poverty. And it's about doing so by investing in 

girls. Learn. Explore. And Get Involved. I dare you."

Dance like there's nobody watching

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, 

Love like you'll never be hurt, 

Sing like there's nobody listening, 

And live like it's heaven on earth.” 

                                   William W. Purkey

Beaded:

Finding the beauty in African hand crafted jewellery

 Jewellery craftsman at work (image source)

More often than not we tend to overlook the little things in life and yet those little things are what make life that much beautiful. Most times we prepare our attire for the day without questioning who made them and how they made them.

A work of heart

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Have you wanted a self portrait of yourself or a loved one but just never had the money to get one done? Well, now you can get one, at an affordable rate of course, what is so great about this is that while you do that, you would at one time, be funding building projects in Kenya AND helping upcoming artists in Toronto. Worldwide appeal? We think so!

Sing A song of Calm

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   The first thing often thought of whenever African Music is brought up is fast paced intense drumming. Although we appreciate the power and energy that comes from the drum, we can also appreciate the soothing sounds of other African Instruments.

A Canopy fit for fish and ugali!

Naivasha,Kenya

A view of  Lake Naivasha


We recently took a short trip to Naivasha, Kenya. It is a scenic town just under two hours drive outside Nairobi and lies right within the beauty of the Great Rift Valley. Its best feature is by far the beautiful lake Naivasha (pictured above). We had the opportunity of enjoying such a glorious view from our cozy little getaway cottage.

Happy-tude

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"If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude. "

                                                                              Maya Angelou

Architopic

Friends of Niafourang!

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What would you describe as truly inspirational architecture? Something that’s never been seen before, or something that adheres to classical trends? The use of newly engineered material, or maybe the employment of high-tech machinery? For us,  this crucial question was answered by the inspiring works of project Niafourang youth centre.

The politics of an Art

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Over the past few weeks there has been some controversy in Nairobi surrounding a group of young Kenyan graffiti artists. The said youth have been tagging Nairobi street walls with powerfully scripted murals of political undertones.

El Anatsui

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The first time we looked at this work , we must admit we weren't too sure of what we were actually witnessing.

Give a man a fish...

Image courtesy of agurtxaneconcellon.com

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day,

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

                                                                                                               Chinese proverb

StreetWires

Southern African Beaded work

Rags FOR Bags!!

Fashion. LOVE, Africa

We came across ecouterre.com, a wonderful environmentally aware fashion website. While going through it we found this touching story on how a designer Ryan Clements helped to alleviate the lives of residents of Giota Garbage Slum in Nakuru Kenya after witnessing the poor and destitute living conditions. Clement uses the handiwork of the women he met in the slums to create his lovely line of tote bags - Fashion. Love, Africa by recycling plastic bags.
Check them out:

http://www.ecouterre.com

Architopic:

Kenya Women’s and Children’s Wellness Centre.

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We are finally putting African  architecture on the map! We specifically start with some work from Kenya.   KWCWC (Kenya Women’s and Children’s Wellness Centre) together with architects Perkins+Will, USA/ Triad Architects, are coming forward with a state of the arts healthcare facility that provides an array of other wellness facilities that bridge our local, tradition and Global medicinal needs.

Destination: The Aberdares Kenya

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 Deep inside the Aberdare Forest in Kenya, in sight of the glorious Mount Kenya, lies the Treetops Hotel. This unique lodge was literally built into the tops of the trees of Aberdare National Park as a tree house, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety.

Look Familiar?

Check these out:

woodabe woman, pin up bangs

janelle monae

SHUJAAZ.FM, Emmy nomination

YES! African Artists making Strides!

 

    Images courtesy of shujaaz.fm

 Shujaaz ( meaning Heroes in Swahili ) FM is a kenyan centered comic that explores urban youth culture and lifestyle in Nairobi, Kenya. The comic, which is almost fully done in sheng, (Kenyan street slang that merges Swahili and English) focuses on encouraging community development through creating by encouraging Kenyan youth to improve their lives through reinforcing constructive and positive thinking. 

    Shujaaz FM started out as comic in 2010 and has since grown to include daily radio programmes in 21 stations countrywide! As if this is not amazing enough, the comic has recently been nominated for an Emmy award! 

My African City

 We came across this beautiful montage series of photographs from Various African cities from this tumblr page. Any of these look familiar to you? 

Where the water meets the sky

"Where the water meets the sky" is a story documenting a group of women in Rural Zambia using film to make a difference in their community.

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ARTS AND BEER

March 10th to 11th 2012 

Ngong Racecourse Nairobi Kenya

Photography courtesy of Cindy Okello.

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Sexual Sabar

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We are taking it westward to Senegal, a country renown for its rich Culture, visible in its sights, sounds, smells, and best of all, its music and dance.
 Senegal, the land of the baobab tree, whose wood makes the Sabar drum. The Sabar is played with a stick and a free hand, producing a fast paced, high pitched sound. When listening to Mbalax, (pronounced Mbala)  Senegalese national dance music,  one cannot miss the shrill drumming of the Sabar. The drumming was typically accompanied by Sabar dancing.  While there were and still are many occasions to which both men and women performed the Sabar, this post will focus on the Sexuality behind the dance.