Of local festivals disrespecting local artists
October 2, 2008 by BATSIRAI E CHIGAMA ·
Filed under: Art life, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, How Zimbabwe can be better
Filed under: Art life, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, How Zimbabwe can be better
I note with great displeasure that at all the local festivals I have attended, foreign artists get the red carpet treatment whilst our own shero/hero artists get the backhand treatment ranging from non-payment of performance fees to zero star accommodation. I reckon it’s about time local artists formed a movement that protects them from such. Let’s hear what you have to say…
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Thanks for taking note and starting this discussion. I also think that artists are not respectful of each other and therefore do not value art beyond what each person does. I think it is an essential part for there to be a useful movement that protects artists from outsiders mistreating and not valuing them. I read recently an article about Edgar Langeveldt and the way it attacked his person and disregarded what he has done well from before. I wondered if the arts writer who wrote the story was another artist or an outsider.
I think locals artists have to place a value on themselves first. Many of them are so excited at the prospect of performing at HIFA or any other festival that they forget to demand certain things upfront.
I also agree with the comment about artists respecting other artists. Local fans also need to respect Zim artists. That’s a great place to start.
When you have a visitor in your house don’t you bring out the nicest plates and cook the best food you can? It’s human nature and up to a certain point it’s acceptable.
Like Patrick M says, Zim artists just need to demand certain things for them to perform at any event.
There are writers in the press who instead of deseverdly giving constructive criticism are bend on destroying the careers of artists - take the Tongai Moyo and Macheso saga for example how many months that particular reporter fuelled this destructive story. Now as for the best plate and food, how far do you go with that Caleb? Would a wife go and find a recipe book, the best of ingridients and cook for her husband’s best friend and may be if he is staying the night offer him their matrimonial bed and let her husband sleep on the couch? I believe we are past the age of treating artists as the scum of society as was the norm before, school drop outs who have nothing better to do with their time.
eh Caleb are our artists given the nicest plates and best food when they visit others out there?
Very true most of the these festivals don’t respect local artists. I think it all lies in the fans, the disrespect comes from fans. Organizers of these events are just good marketers the just give the fans what they want. In most cases fans like exports more than locals. Unfortunately there a’int no cure for this.
Solomon Kembos last blog post..Let Her Be Celebrated, Elevated
I was walking one morning, when it started to rain. I recall feeling a raindrop, and I considered whether I had been the first to feel the initial one or had the privilege been given to someone else. Every storm must begin with a single drop of rain. And so it is with every worthwhile movement . . . it begins with an idea that is too simple to be taken seriously . . . and then comes the storm.
~ Marco Caceres
I hear thunder here Batsi. You sound really bothered by this. Tell us more…
watch this space Caleb, will be talking more soon