ODD PORTRAITS OF THIS PLACE

ODD PORTRAITS OF THIS PLACE is a short-film series from 2021, curated by Phala Ookeditse Phala. Phala is a Botswana-born, and Joburg-based theatre-maker, director, writer, and dramaturg, and the 'Animateur' for The Centre for the Less Good Idea.

Each short film is shot in a different location in Gauteng, using film, sound and language to create a vibrant miniature piece that captures on film the interaction between space, the body and movement, as well as the inspirations that grow from the convergence of space and performance.

SERITI SA GO JA or THE HONOUR OF EATING

An Oupa Sibeko work that explores contradictions of honour and self importance, the collapse and irony of heroism and notions of opulence as a disease. At the heart of the work is the violence of unnecessary processes.

Odd Portraits Of This Place explores the convergence, co-mingling and cross-pollination of performance and found space as the site for animate exhibition of both place and performance. The series employs the articulation and interaction of space, body and action and their dictates to each other when captured in film. A key component of this project is the use of film and sound languages to create vibrant dialogic miniature performance films shot in different places of Gauteng. Series 1 of Odd Portraits of this Place will launch 5 works focusing on movement of things by various performing artists.

Conceptualiser | Oupa Sibeko
Performer | Oupa Sibeko
Place | Kensington (with thanks to Ayanda Makgati)

SOMETHING IS GONE

A simple story of a student dancer who is inspired by the music of a busking musician. Ziyabukwa Mankabane, a student of dance at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) collaborates with musician and performer Bongile Lecoge-Zulu as they draw inspiration for this piece from the sounds of city streets.

Odd Portraits Of This Place explores the convergence, co-mingling and cross-pollination of performance and found space as the site for animate exhibition of both place and performance. The series employs the articulation and interaction of space, body and action and their dictates to each other when captured in film. A key component of this project is the use of film and sound languages to create vibrant dialogic miniature performance films shot in different places of Gauteng. Series 1 of Odd Portraits of this Place will launch 5 works focusing on movement of things by various performing artists.

Conceptualiser | Ziyabukwa Mankabane
Performers | Ziyabukwa Mankabane & Bongile Lecoge-Zulu
Music Composer | Bongile Lecoge-Zulu
Place | Island of Commissioner and Albertina Sisulu Road

DI MARARA or A WEB OF COMPLICATIONS

Katlego Letsholonyane writes and performs the complications of Modisaotsile’s walkthrough two worlds - the natural and the spiritual. Modisaotsile discerns vivid messages, feels the palpable world of spirits and saunters the transdimensional journey through the voice of his late grandfather.

Odd Portraits Of This Place explores the convergence, co-mingling and cross-pollination of performance and found space as sites for animate exhibition of both place and performance. The series employs the articulation and interaction of space, body and action, and their impact on each other when captured in film. A key component of this project is the use of film, sound and language to create vibrant dialogic miniature performance films shot in different places across Gauteng. Series 1 of Odd Portraits of this Place launches 5 works that are a response by various artists to themes of sound and movement.

THAT SPIRIT OF HOA

Drawing inspiration from the Khoekhoe, Muzi Shili, a physical performer and choreographer, evokes the spirit of all living things (hoa) under the jacaranda trees of Parkview street, where he encounters Ishamael Dube, a trolley recycler.

Odd Portraits Of This Place explores the convergence, co-mingling and cross-pollination of performance and found space as sites for animate exhibition of both place and performance. The series employs the articulation and interaction of space, body and action, and their impact on each other when captured in film. A key component of this project is the use of film, sound and language to create vibrant dialogic miniature performance films shot in different places across Gauteng. Series 1 of Odd Portraits of this Place launches 5 works that are a response by various artists to themes of sound and movement.

Performer | Macaleni Muzi Shili
Trolley Recycler [Waste Reclaimer] | Ishmael Dube
Music | Macaleni Muzi Shili
Place | Parkview

THARRRAA-PHA!

As they ‘blom’ at the corner of a ‘matchbox’ - a four roomed house that is a signtownship - the Pantsula spirit catches-on and a moment of dance ensues. Tharrraa-pha is the rhythmic language of the movement count of Pantsula choreography as the dancers draw movements from everyday mundane activities.

Odd Portraits Of This Place explores the convergence, co-mingling and cross-pollination of performance and found space as sites for animate exhibition of both place and performance. The series employs the articulation and interaction of space, body and action, and their impact on each other when captured in film. A key component of this project is the use of film, sound and language to create vibrant dialogic miniature performance films shot in different places across Gauteng. Series 1 of Odd Portraits of this Place launches 5 works that are a response by various artists to themes of sound and movement.

Performers | Elma Motloenya, Tebogo Phikane, Lungile Ngwenya, Johanna Tshabalala, Kamohelo Ndlovu, Thabang Radebe, & Bukhosibakhe Khoza
Choreographer | Vusi Mdoyi
Percussionist | Micca Manganye
Camera Crew | VAP - Gift Nduma, Banele Motha & Katlego Ngwenya
Place | Vosloorus Extension 1 - Basothong (with thanks to Mme Mokgoke)