(Garth
Duffield and Vanessa Dube from Role Models)
What is the boundary between Fashion and
Art? Is Food a Fashion? Is it an Art? Does commercialism cheapen or value Fine
Art? Can a brand be artful? How can Art engage the public in a world of instant
messaging? These are some of the questions that audiences will be asked to
confront this coming Saturday (October 6) at the inaugural Fashion and Art Against Thunder: RE:BOOT event
In an evening filled with fashion, food,
theatre, fine art and music, the popular and quaint St Clement’s venue will be
transformed into an Adult Wonderland where guests will be invited to interact,
confront and question the installations on show. Artists, designers and
performers around Durban are dreaming up unique ways to ‘upset the applecart’
and entertain an enlightened audience often dulled by the complete onslaught of
the media and popular culture.
Fashion
and Art against Thunder is the brainchild of local
entrepreneur and chef extraordinaire, Jason Turner; and actor/ writer turned
model agent, Ian Gareth Hadfield – who have decided to pool their talents in a
collective environment to re-invigorate the local arts and hospitality
industry. Jason is well-known amongst local food aficionados as the chef with
passion and flair, having made a name for himself at illustrious venues such as
9th Avenue Bistro, Plum, Café Jiran and most recently Bertoua Café Lounge. Ian
has built on his career as a performer and writer, having appeared in numerous
theatre productions around the country, by establishing his talent agency, Role
Models, both in Johannesburg and Durban.
“Durban, as a cultural centre, has the
rather odd reputation of being progressive and forward in terms of food and the
arts; yet, at the same time, strangely reticent in pushing this progressive
agenda,” says Turner. “In addition, we all know that times are hard and trend
analysis tells us that we need to take a fresh approach towards the way we
engage with, and present, our food and entertainment. Around the world there is
a huge movement towards the concept of ‘pop up’ as a way of presenting
challenging culinary experiments in an environment that is willing to take on
this challenge without breaking the bank should the ideas not appeal to a
general public palette.’
“Coming from an arts background,” continues
Hadfield, “ we all know that emerging artists in all disciplines are often
constrained in terms of the platforms available to them. Jason and I then
decided to put our heads together to create a series of events that allow us to
combine our skills to create a unique an unforgettable experience for those who
wish to be exposed to cutting edge experiments in across the board disciplines.
This brought us to the question of where the extreme boundaries of the concept
of ‘Art’ exist and ultimately: ‘What can become Art’ and then ‘What is Art
becoming’.’
“It all sounds terribly serious,” adds Turner,
“but in fact a large part of our brief to our participants was just to have fun
and take your audience on an exciting journey! And we have certainly had fun
putting this event together.”
Audiences can expect to taste a variety of
different molecular gastronomy experiments and unusual and non-mainstream
wines. Fine artists will both be exhibiting and creating works within the space.
Models will show clothing that pushes the envelope in terms of construction and
styling. Dancers will present performance interventions that question movement.
Poets and actors will perform and musicians will engage with projections and
cinema. Live tattooing and performance installations will all combine to create
a unique and unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Fashion
and Art Against Thunder: RE:BOOT takes place at St.
Clements Garden Café, 191 Musgrave Road, between 19h00 and 22h00.Tickets available
from St. Clements or by phoning Jason on 084 606 0846 or Ian on 072 708 5535.
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