Art and Life

The National Theatre (UNCC) in its original glory, Kampala. How much does a space contribute to an art piece presented in it? Could the space be considered to be part of the art piece? What role does space play in art, art expression and consumption of art? These are questions we considered in a recent discussion on Culture UnlimitedRadio with Bayimba Culture Foundation director Faisal Kiwewa. With recent talk of the long overdue rehabilitation of the National Theatre or its impending demise depending on which report you choose to believe, it is relevant to talk about the spaces we use for artistic expression. Often when an artist has work to present in Kampala, there are some usual suspects one considers. The National Theatre or UNCC (Uganda National Cultural Centre), a ridiculous name if you ask me, is the first to come to mind regardless of what art form one is presenting. It has been used for dance, music, drama, art exhibits, festivals, film, symposiums, rehearsals and d...

By Deleuran There are more music producers scattered all over Kampala than there are studios for us from which to produce. Considering the film industry, it too is growing rather fast and with it directors and producers are sprouting faster than seeds at Kawanda Agro Research. It is a good thing that there is a vibrant enough buzz to interest more people to join these industries. However, it would be better if people went into it knowing in what capacity they are joining the industry and what skills are required to execute particular tasks. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. These days everyone who can rig together a computer with a microphone and paste together some beats is a music producer. Similarly, many chaps are apparently film directors/producers because they own and /or can switch on a DSLR camera and point it at something. One has to start somewhere of course and indeed most of us had very humble beginnings. I can recall the miserably sorry recordings that I fir...

Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti. image from Atlanticblackstar “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” so said writer Ernest Hemingway. The quote suggests sacrifice, suffering and a sense of self torture. Many artistic people have long claimed that to create awe inspiring and truly original work, one has to suffer. I can’t help but think that it also helps the artist feel more like what they are doing is somewhat noble. History certainly is not short of troubled artists in all walks who walked the path to destruction and also left us with some great work and perhaps without fulfilling the full promise of their talents. We can cite people like writer Sylvia Plath, musician Fela Kuti, actor and filmmaker Orson Welles, composer Beethoven and painter Jean Michel Basquiat; these are some creative people who led troubled lives and indeed did create incredible work. Back in our humble Uganda we also have local greats such as musicians Philly Bongol...