adminRaisedon Baya Arts Focus
IN this week’s column we look at two different issues; embarrassing WhatsApp pictures and videos of artistes popping up in the wrong places and the kind of artistes some of us hope to be in this new year of 2015. WhatsApp as a means of communication is a super invention. It is fast and very cheap. For most artistes with no communication or marketing budgets WhatsApp has come in very handy — the clever ones have managed to expand their business with little or no money for advertising. However, in our excitement with the new technology we have tended to abuse this beautiful invention. Abanye bethu sisuka sithabe kakhulu. Kufarisisa chaiko. In our excitement some of us have made sextapes — well there is nothing wrong with sextapes as long as they don’t get out of your houses or phones. Others have photographed themselves in compromising positions — semi nude or in their birthday suits, alone or with their partners, and unfortunately these photographs or videos have found their way into public spaces sparking a lot of debate about our characters and morals as artistes.
Examples are abound but the ones that quickly come to mind are the Pokello and Stunner’s sextape which went viral and had more than a million shares and (or) views.
There was also Tinopona Katsande and her own sextape which, of course, was not as popular as Pokello’s. Here in Bulawayo two young artistes from Siyaya Arts had their own sextape leaked to the media — theirs was not a national embarrassment as they were young and not known.
To be very honest the photos and videos brought some fame and public attention. For some it was just an embarrassing moment they quickly shoved at the back of their mind. We know Pokello harvested fame from it. She is known more for her sextape than anything artistic she did after the tape went public. So our advice for 2015 is let us be more careful with our actions. Our private lives must remain private. Artistes are public figures and that comes with certain expectations from the public.
Away from the sextapes but still on WhatsApp the actor who we all remember as Godknows in the television drama Sinjalo died last year and as his body was being taken to the cemetery a video of his coffin on the roof of a car was taken with other kombis skidding around went viral via WhatsApp. A funeral used to be a sacred thing. Very private. But not anymore. Now people are invading private spaces and turning them into the public spaces with the aid of technology and social media. Again as artistes we need to guard ourselves from being victims of new technology, particularly social media. And so as we begin the year let’s do some introspection.
Let’s look deep into ourselves and try to classify ourselves. It is simple. Here is a guide. What kind of an artiste are you? Are you the kind that seek opportunities or the kind that wait believing opportunities will come looking for you because you are special? Are you the kind that see yourself as just an employee or the one that sees yourself as a creator of both artworks and employment? Do you see yourself as a worker or a businessperson?
What kind of artiste are you? Are you the kind that when money comes your way you run straight to the nearest bottle store and try to drown yourself in beer, forgetting about tomorrow or you are the kind that think family and home first? The kind that pays rent, makes sure the kids have clothes and are going to school before finding your way to the bottle store. Are you the kind that sits to budget their resources or the reckless type that is always living on the edge, not knowing and caring about tomorrow?
What kind of an artiste are you? Are you the kind that let disappointment develop into bitterness inside you, corroding all your relationships; the kind who blames everyone else but yourselves for your misfortunes?
Are you the kind that is too bitter and is waiting to implode or explode? Or you are the kind that know the realities of our arts sector and know you have to think and work extra hard to make things work. Exactly what kind of artiste are you?
If you don’t know take time to find out. Use this year to determine the kind of artiste you want to be. Make 2015 count.
Online Reporter