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MUD Journal

A personal Journal about African Arts and Culture curated by Alex Gwaze & Friends

Featured

#ForOurWomen – Gender Based Violence = Photobook

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Featured

Modern – But Not Western = #Baasklap

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Featured

Petite Noir + New Black Wave = #OffTheTree

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February 25, 2019March 5, 2019

Public Mirror + Social Photography = Photobook

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February 23, 2019March 5, 2019

Top 5 International Music Videos + Filmed in Africa = #Blacklist

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February 23, 2019March 5, 2019

Obz Lifestyle Market + Urban Reclamation = Photobook

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February 23, 2019March 5, 2019

45mm X 35mm – Xenophobia = Photobook

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February 19, 2019March 5, 2019

Nadia Buari + The Colour Yellow = #Chiefing

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  • About
  • PhotobooksSince the development of digital cameras and the Internet, numerous pictures and videos are exchanged and uploaded to social networking sites daily. MUD PHOTOBOOK or ebooks are essentially exhibitions or photo essays / coffee table book that organize a collection of selected items, themes, topics and subjects pictorially, for the purpose of identification, display, education, and interpretation.
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  • Articles
    • #BAASKLAP#BAASKLAP (noun, verb; Noirslang is derived from Baas (noun; Afrikaans/ Dutch) meaning master, boss (informal), chief, ruler, commander, head, overlord, overseer, chief, a white person in a position of authority in relation to non-whites and Klap(verb; Afrikaans/ Dutch) meaning hit, smack, strike, clap, bang. A BAASKLAP is an indication of probable trouble, the mere mention of getting one makes all good people fall in line; it spreads fear and anxiety. We define it as – a whipping, threat, degrading, control, schooling, correction, propaganda and pain. Nowhere is the BAASKLAP more apparent than through the dissemination of information to the general public. Information is power and while it is important to stay informed, one must be aware that misinformation is also another form of power – distraction. BAASKLAP provides a kind-hearted slap in the face that acts more as a wake- up call rather than a rude awakening. A ‘bang’ that tells you”something that occurred”, pay close attention – get better informed. We are not anti-establishment know-it-alls propagating conspiracy theories willy-nilly, we are simple citizen journalists saying, “Hmm, this sounds interesting how about we take a closer look?”
    • #BLACKLISTTo blacklist someone/ something is to put their name or product in a database of banned or undesirable items. We at MUD like lists, but not those kind of lists. Our #BLACKLIST is just a list of interesting African people, noteworthy African activities or innovative African products – black is beautiful.
    • #CHIEFINGMoney or fame? This debate has no merit for a chief; his/her role is much more down to earth. A Chief is a leader with a significant following garnered either through oratory influence, wealth or by example. The Chief represents the people’s interests, a movement or an idea. Some of the ideas he/she champions may not be the most popular ones or have the same economic clout as those of other dominant leaders, however they are always recognised as an important influential voice within a community; it is for this reason they are greatly honoured. They maintain social norms, create political awareness, minimise conflict and set examples. They are ground-breaking innovators who have made their mark and established themselves as pacesetting pioneers who are often the first to do something that will eventually transcends their initial input. A Chief’s role has always been to speak for the people. CHIEFING profiles prominent individuals and landmark initiatives that are shaping the African community. Africa is not a country, it is a community. A community that is not developing, rising or awakening from any deep slumber, it’s happening and it’s happening right now. Being marked present in the community is a key step…
    • #OFFTHETREEUniformity often leads to the same ideas being perpetually recycled. One needs to look away from the Acacia tree at sunset to discover the other fruitful trees on the African landscape. #OFFTHETREE presents alternative ideas and individuals on the fringes of African popular culture. The African experience is as diverse as the animals that roam its plains and the seeds that are sown in its soil. There is more to Africa than just ”the big five” and poverty, there are some ‘strange’ people here. They might look and sound African, but they seem to have taken a ‘sho’t left’ and came back speaking a language only they understand. African thinkers, artists, leaders and innovators are pushing the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm, adding new unique voices to the ‘culture,’and we all know how loud Africans can get! African storytellers are diverse, but the African narrative has only marginally improved. We explore notions of the ‘alternative’ and the ‘independent’ in an effort to promote innovative and original thinking that fosters new ways of seeing the traditional while embracing the unknown and known.
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