Outlet for creative misfits
“Xolani and I have known each other for years and I was one of the people he presented the idea to during an artist’s meeting many years ago.”
Mhayise Productions presented Yin’ iRespect?!, an interactive dance theatre piece for younger audiences at the gallery during “Take a child to theatre day” in March.
“We hosted about 40 international guests comprising choreographers, journalists, and theatre and festival directors at the gallery,” said Hlatshwayo.
“My company and I staged our 2016 photo shoot at the gallery with Durban’s top dance and theatre photographer Val Adamson. The nature of the space, the installations, both living and up-cycled, collaborated with our shoot perfectly as our work also focuses on a similar approach towards environmental awareness,” said Hlatshwayo.
“It was fun and inspiring as our work also fed into what the space is trying to achieve. It provides a space where people can come and meditate, relax, express themselves, shop for organic vegetables or connect with other like-minded people.”
Hlatshwayo believes there is a symbiotic relationship between artists and the camp: “It’s been a two-way beneficial connection really.
“The space is fixed in its location and deprived of support, development, marketing and publicity and therefore depends on being approached and activated by artists like myself. We invite others into the space for them to experience its elements as I chose to do.
“The space becomes appreciated and supported, thus contributing to the lifestyle that it aims to promote and preserve – an experience of organic communal living.
“There are other mainstream bigger and more equipped spaces for artists and art work, but the Green Camp’s consciousness and focus on active and live environmental awareness is inviting, inspiring and therefore deserving of the kind of support my company and I have given to the space,” he said.
“It provides a place of sanctuary and I think that is very important. It’s a space where people can connect, share ideas, challenge existing views on society, grow food, harvest food and generally feel at ease,” said copywriter, Jessica Pike, who has previously worked with a variety of media.
Pike’s exhibition at the camp contained objects she had found and photographs of public installations that she created.
“They were all related to feminism in some way,” she said. “I had to get creative with my display with the space being tricky, yet at the same time, elements like creeping plants hanging over the wall really made some of the work stand out better than if it was just on a flat white wall.”
“Refreshed” by the creative freedom, Pike said, “The emotional and physical support that the Green Camp provides leaves a lot of room for unhindered creative expression. On top of that, due to the more informal nature of the space itself, artists at any level of experience get an equal opportunity to display their work.”
Having only attended one event at the camp, Pike said she experienced a mixed response. “The attendees had so many positive things to say about the Green Camp and I could tell that they were intrigued and inspired by the project.
“On the other hand, the local neighbourhood watch called the cops on us and they were very aggressive and hostile in trying to reach an understanding.
“It’s sad because I don’t think they understand the good work that the Green Camp is doing,” she said.
However, the overall experience was a positive one for Pike: “The great thing about the Green Camp is that you have to get involved with their vision too. You can’t just display your work and that’s it, you have to invest time in the space too.”