RAISING THE BAR
There’s a good chance that you think of cognac as the tipple of fusty old men in wood-panelled hunting lodges. If cognac brand Hennessy is anything to go by, however, you may have to reconsider your position on the century-old liquor.
In fact, it seems the French liquor house is determined to prove that the region-specific brandy varietal is anything but old-fashioned.
Since 2011 it has collaborated with eight of the world’s most iconic urban artists (think graffiti, street art and tattoo artists) on its Hennessy Very Special (VS) Limited Edition range of bottles and murals. Some of the big names it has roped in so far include American Shepard Fairey — the man who designed the Barack Obama “Hope” poster — and his fellow Stateside creatives Jonone and Futura.
Hennessy’s latest collaboration is with Portuguese street artist Vhils. To mark this match-up, Vhils has just finished producing one of his signature artworks in Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct.
The artist started out as an oldschool graffiti writer on the streets of Lisbon, but in recent years has found fame on a much grander scale. This is thanks in no small part to iconic street art mystery man
(or is that woman?) Banksy — who chose him to exhibit at a London festival in 2008.
Vhils’ work isn’t what you might expect; he is passionate about exposing a city’s history. He does this using a mallet, chisel, drill bits and a jackhammer to break into walls, and create unforgettable images by uncovering historic layers of paint, plaster and dirt. By exposing these layers, he aims to tell the “city’s history, make the invisible, visible and hopefully make us think about our public space”.
For the Joburg launch of his Hennessy collaboration, Vhils made a large-scale portrait of SA singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka. It looks down from the top of a building, over the garden of the Cosmopolitan Hotel on Commissioner Street — a city icon that dates back to 1899.
Having already created murals in New York and Chicago as part of the same project, he wanted to continue with a theme of portraying artists who are also known for their social activism. Chaka Chaka was an obvious choice for him, not just for her role as a Unicef ambassador but also for her continued work with her own Princess of Africa Foundation. The singer aside, Vhils tells the FM he is seriously impressed by Johannesburg, calling it an
“incredible city with a vibrant local art community”.
For cognac fans looking to add to their collections of the golden liquid, the Vhils VS Limited Edition bottle is on point as far as his trademark method of understanding history and layers goes. To create the design, he visited the Cognac region in France and looked back through the brand’s extensive archives and historic graphics — giving them a contemporary, edgy spin. Who would have thought?
What makes a good cocktail bar? Well, the drinks obviously, followed by the setting, the nibbles and the vibe. Mix them all together and through some alchemy you’ll have a winner like Durban’s new The Charlatan Neighbourhood Cocktail Bar.
Owners Chris Strover and Sean Klokie explain the slightly surprising name. “We chose The Charlatan for its association with making something from nothing, creating a bit of magic to enchant and delight,” says Strover. “We’re proudly Durban and wanted a space that would be welcoming to everyone — very much a neighbourhood meeting space.”
Located in a partially open-air courtyard, the setting is ideal for balmy Kwazulu-natal evenings. And the industrial feel of the exposed brick walls, hand-sanded Blackwood bar, raw timber and low lighting is a sophisticated choice.
The drinks menu is just what you want from a dedicated cocktail venue — it has all the classics, though nothing as pedestrian as a cosmopolitan. Think negronis, daiquiris with interesting twists and whisky sours. Then there are nods on the drinks menu to the eponymous neighbourhood: “Other Side of the River” and “On the Berea”, for example. It’s quirky touches like this that are sure to make The Charlatan a local hotspot in no time at all.
If cocktails aren’t your thing, the bar also serves Darling Draught at R35 a pint, a beer of the week and a good selection of wines.
An added bonus is the food and a varied though small menu. “We’ve taken inspiration from all over the world and given it an SA spin,” says Strover, “like the traditional Turkish brik, which is given local flavour by filling it with potato curry.” Something unique for Durban is the concept of stuffed crispy bread cones which can be filled with myriad delights including chicken, prawn and chorizo concoctions.
You can also expect regular live music — and thoughtprovoking artwork on the walls, all by Durban artists.
Durbs has a new cocktail joint to note