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Raisdon Baya
THIS year alone I have attended many live shows, where event organisers or performers have come to me and requested for a good review.
To be honest I have always found these requests strange. I always feel like one is being asked to lie. One would be mistaken to think that perhaps some of our artistes and not all of them think reviewers and reporters (there is a difference between the two) are there to massage artistes’ egos.
In a recent meeting between the local media and artistes organised by Intwasa Arts Festival under the Bulawayo Arts and Culture Agenda banner, journalists present in the meeting were unanimous in saying that the media was not an extended public relations office for artistes.
“We are in the business of selling newspapers, not promoting artistes.” Of course it makes business sense for media houses to want to sell papers.
The journalists were reacting to complaints by local artistes about too much coverage of foreigners on the arts pages of local newspapers at the expense of local artistes. Artistes questioned why locals have been made to read more about Casper Nyovest, AKA, Bonang, and Idols on our newspapers than they have read about Jeys, Iyasa, Calvin, Mahlekisa, Starbrite and other events?
Obviously both sides have their points — good points for that matter but what came out clear in the meeting was the serious need for both artistes and local media to continuously engage in meaningful dialogue in the hope of making ends meet. It is very possible that local artistes, if projected well, could help sell newspapers while at the same time pushing their brands. The media can also help artistes to grow their brands.
But I have digressed. I was talking about reviews, writing about a performance or event after you have watched it.
I was taught that reviews should be honest. And they should be about what the reviewer saw and experienced. Most importantly reviews are a matter of personal opinions and do not forget that most opinions are based on one’s taste buds.
Reviews should not be about maintaining a good relationship between the reviewer and the artiste.
So whenever a reviewer decides to put pen and paper and write a review it must be read as such – a personal experience of the show/performance based on what one will have seen on stage or the silver screen – not what the artistes think the reviewer should have seen or experienced. My best lesson at Amakhosi was that total art speaks for itself. If an artiste finds himself or herself having to continuously defend or explain his/her art then something is definitely wrong with the art work.
To be honest a good review is not necessarily a praise song to the artistes. It is about honest and personal interpretation.
Artistes must leave writers/journalists to their work. If they get a good review it must be on the strength of the work being reviewed and not because the reviewer/journalist is afraid to burn bridges. So reviews are not colourful public relations pieces for artistes and event organisers. Reviews serve a much bigger purpose.
As I write I am preparing to attend Nkwali Noma Mkhwananzi’s album launch. This is Nkwali’s debut album and hopefully next week you will be reading a proper review of the event here on Arts Focus. Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi started her career with Iyasa. She has toured the world with Albert Nyathi, Iyasa and Mother Africa. Her album launch is being supported by Impumelelo Shining Stars, Jeys Marabini and Iyasa.
Next week, 20 November, at the National Art Gallery Live and Fluid is hosting its “When House Music meets Hip Hop and Soul” featuring some young and exciting local talent in DJ SKaiva, Cal-vin, Mzoe 7 and Ricco Andrews. Arts Focus promises a review at the show.
Online Reporter