art

There is no society that has as much wealth, culturally and musically, as South Africa, says Hugh Masekela. That incredible richness and extraordinary diversity is explored and honoured in Ubuntu: Music and Arts of South Africa, a month-long arts and culture festival hosted by New York City's landmark Carnegie Hall.

Storytelling is the new rock n roll, says Rian Malan. Known for his own expert storytelling, his latest project, with Ann Toerien, is bringing out the stories of Johannesburg. Invited artists will tell their tales of the city of gold in The Unbelievable Truth, four themed evenings about life in Jozi.

For over two decades the Bag Factory in downtown Joburg has helped develop South African art with residency programmes in its 16 studios, where both young and experienced artists can collaborate, share ideas or simply inspire each other.

Works by artist and holy man Jackson Hlungwani are on show at the University of Johannesburg. The show, curated by Nessa Leibhammer, includes many of his sublime creations, notably many of his fish sculptures. A New Jerusalem – Jackson Hlungwani includes photographs of his sacred site.

Henk Pretorius is taking his latest work, Leading Lady, to the Seattle International Film Festival, where he won the Golden Space Needle Award for Best Film for Fanie Fourie's Lobola last year. The romantic comedy premières this weekend.

Ralph Ziman worked with a group of Zimbabwean wire beaders to make replica AK-47s and ammunition. Then he took photos in downtown Joburg, depicting an eerie, frightening world for his exhibition, Ghosts. It was not to glamorise guns, he says, but to spark a debate.

The first Nal'ibali Storytime was published in English a year ago. Now, the popular book of short stories has been published in four more official languages in a drive to promote the joy of reading and a love of books among South African children.

Six short films, making up the African Metropolis series, place the dynamic, growing cities of Africa on the big screen. "These films represent Africa in conversation with itself," explains one of the featured directors. The series has been screened at several international festivals.

The first fashion film festival in South Africa has been planned for Cape Town. Submissions have been called for the Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International Fashion Film Festival. And the winning film will be nominated for the International Fashion Film Awards in Hollywood.

A slew of international awards has been bagged by The Forgotten Kingdom, a story of a young man's return to his roots inspired by and filmed in the mystical magic of Lesotho. The cinematography matches the breath-taking scenery, earning its cinematographer the Haskell Wexler Award in New York.