(Iain Ewok Robinson)
(Reviews
from the artSMart team at the 2015 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown)
Emotional, hard hitting and razor sharp. (Review by Keith Millar)
Appearing on the main programme at the National Arts Festival in
Grahamstown was a new production by Durban-based Hip Hop Activist Iain Ewok Robinson
and Filmmaker Karen Logan entitled YOBO:
You’re Only Born Once.
YOBO is an in your face,
raw spoken word and audiovisual production.
It is set against the background of the persistent construction that is widespread
in contemporary South Africa. YOBO
draws us into the world of a solitary white man who lives beneath a national
highway flyover. A character who is struggling to come to terms with his own
whiteness and his position in the country.
On a sparse set resembling a rubbish tip of discarded plastic bags
containing litter, and old beer crates, Robinson uses his visceral poetry to
tackle many of the socio-economic, racial and political issues confronting
South Africa today.
He touches on issues such as white privilege, and the need for white
people to apologise for past transgressions against human rights – whites must
say they are sorry before they can move on as a nation.
The Rhodes Must Fall statue protests are referred to, while in an astute
segment called Borrow me your Language,
Robinson suggests that there is need for all whites to learn an African language.
He also talks of the need for all people to get on with each other. He suggests
that the colours of the rainbow don’t mix and that black and white make grey.
As always, Robinson’s delivery is emotional, hard hitting and razor
sharp. He is an extraordinary wordsmith whose use of the English language is
quite exceptional. However, I felt that some of the segments were too long and
over-emphasised, and at times a bit obscure.
Karen Logan’s video projections are excellently compiled and are brilliantly
complimentary to the proceedings. Logan also directs the production.
Very good sound and lighting also enhance the overall professional feel
of the piece.
YOBO: You’re Only
Born Once holds up a mirror to its audience and asks them to examine themselves,
and their prejudices, and to think about what they can do to improve life for
everyone. – Keith Millar
(For more
information on the National Arts Festival click on the banner advert at the top
of this page or visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za)
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