The winner takes it all?

Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

21st century society actively creates and promotes an environment characterised by aggressive competition. It starts in kindergarten and only stops if you are lucky enough to be able to opt out of the “rat race”. We seem to prize winning above all else turning life into an ongoing obstacle race in every facet of our existence from our education, to work, social status, wealth, intellectual capacity, fertility and even physical appearance.

Designed and fueled by market forces, we are all caught in a hypnotic/psychotic relationship with symbols of success. A degree from Harvard, a new sports convertible, the blonde beauty queen, a sleek yacht … are all awards for being top dog. And so we compete… clawing our way rabidly to the top in a feverish pursuit to be a winner, the winner!

Is this need to win innate?

Are we genetically programmed to want to be top dog?

And why do some of us manifest that need more than others?

Most of western society prize winning above everything with being a winner linked to success, self worth, pride and even genetic superiority. Evolutionary biologists and social Darwinist theorists view inter-species and intra-species competition as the driving motivating force of all adaptation, and ultimately of evolution with competition, a mechanism for determining the best-suited group; ecologically, politically and economically.

Others argue that it is less an innate trait and more an acquired one nurtured by a society whose very foundations are based on individual achievement. Whether nature or nurture – the bottom line is survival.

Thus in our dog-eat-dog world where your worth is ranked by your ability to rise above the average, to shine like gold amidst the nickels and dimes, winning and awards acquire a mythical potency, a supposedly guaranteed entry card into high society.

Our education is a potent enforcer of the win at any cost principle. Traditional mainstream education systems are all about exams, tests, results and rewards for awards. Learning for the sake of acquiring knowledge is not the norm. Exceptions include the Montessori Method and Waldorf education that are integrated facilitated methods of educating children where self learning, discovery, playing and imagination are prized above all and traits of awareness, compassion and respect are ingrained in the approach.

Hard core capitalists would argue that to be the crème de la crème; assertiveness, risk taking, aggression and a winners attitude is what is needed. But is that really true?

The recent recession caused by the global collapse of the banking sector is a potent reminder that this ideology of winning nurtured in the best business schools of the world are actually churning out leaders who lack a balanced vision, with huge ethical flaws inherent in their approach to business based on aggressive competition and winning at all costs.

And there are always costs … in the pursuit of being the best at what we do, there is little time to explore the other aspects of our life like love, relationships and family that some may argue are far more valuable than status, money, awards or power. As Al Gore so aptly said, “No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out.”

The Lure of the Loeries

Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

The Loeries, Eagles, Apex, Pendoring , Khuza kids and young adults advertising awards, Ads of the Month, the Sunday Times Top Brands Awards, Adfocus awards, the Millward Brown Adtrack best-liked tables, the Cannes, the Clios – South African agencies go head to head each year vying for the top honours that make or break careers and companies. For a developing economy such as ours, there seem to be more awards than winning agencies when you consider that 92% of entries for the 2009 Loeries creative advertising awards walked away empty-handed.

A plethora of awards exist for every conceivable facet of marketing: retail, consumer, research, electronic, print, outdoor, online and digital, experiential and events, design and mobile but inevitably the big through-the-line agencies hog the limelight year after year. Smaller agencies with constrained resources often don’t have the means to pursue the awards entry game that need huge amounts of time and effort. Most awards require enormous amounts of information presented for best effect and very often the larger agencies will have a dedicated “award chasing” team compiling what they hope will be “winning entries”.

While many creative directors and agency bosses deny the importance of winning the big local and international industry awards, the truth is whether it’s the party-till-you-pass-out Loeries or the dead serious Apex night, industry awards are big business – literally. More awards often equal more clients, bigger billings and greater profits and so while seemingly frivolous on the surface, awards are serious business for creative agencies.

Awards are by nature subjective – different people, different night and the decisions can change. The local industry has been accused of incestuous back slapping, an orgy of mutual admiration and self satisfaction but is that not true for all industries? Whether it’s the Grammies, or the Clio’s, the winners’ podium becomes a bull’s-eye target for its detractors. But seriously, are creative agencies in SA in the business of winning awards or serving their clientele by getting the mix of form and function right?

Ultimately successful marketing has little to do with creative accolades and more about getting the mix right between product, price, distribution and communication so that consumers pay attention. That is the ultimate test. Media savvy audiences want to be engaged and entertained and thus likeability (read memorability) is key. Charismatic characters, jingles that linger, stories that stick all make for award winning campaigns that decades later are capable of conjuring smiles and fond memories. This month, Millward Brown Adtrack announced the best loved ads in the last 25 years with top spot going to Sasol and Draftfcb for the glug glug ad featuring a little boy and his suddenly turbo-charged car! Going through the list of 25 is a walk down memory lane in the company of old friends…

There is no doubt that the South African advertising sector is highly regarded in international circles annually winning highly contested and coveted awards at the Clio’s and the Cannes Festival. Creative sparks know that some campaigns win awards and some win customers and the litmus test for creative directors is to click on the winning combination.

2010 Reality Check

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin in Headlines and Opinions, Uncategorized

Consumer, marketing, digital and communication trends are flashing beacons. They don’t have a linear lifeline, they peak and fall, affect some sectors and not others – they act as sign posts rather than definitive destinations and so need to be kept in perspective. Speaking of perspective…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manage the facts: put the REAL back into reality

SA may have a global presence and in contrast to most of Africa is fairly affluent with a rapidly expanding infrastructure to support growth. With over 49.32 million people and unknown numbers of African economic and political refugees, the population is diverse characterised by absolute extremes of wealth. Unemployment figures are at about 34.5 percent while a third of the population is below the age of 15. It continues to be a highly segregated society. Now, why is this important? I believe that marketers often lose sight of the basic reality. We tend to transplant solutions out of context and then wonder why they don’t work even if they win awards.

Money is tight

Yes they say the recession is over but individuals and companies are going to feel the pinch for a long time to come. People have suffered losses and if Eskom’s gets it 35% price hike, inflation will continue to rise: meaning less money to spend. This will affect how companies deploy marketing budgets. Agencies will find that clients have a list of riders from preferred suppliers to monthly ROI reports based on hard facts. Marketers are going to have to employ real skills in collecting and analyzing data with marketing strategies located in the nitty gritty numbers that boards and accountants are interested in.

More Real Value

South African consumers, reflecting a global trend, have lost faith in the big names. Trust, security, transparency are going to be key to entrenching and winning brand share. No one cares that you say you care, you have got to put your money where your mouth is The ESKOM, SAA, SABC debacles etc. linger and taint how consumers react to extravagant promises – yeah, yeah yeah, they’ve heard it all. To win hearts and minds, ethics have to be at the heart of how we do business. And that is a global trend. No-one wants to hear the spin doctors. The backlash against perceived wrong doing is harsh. In SA where competition is stifled by the big players, consumers may have little choice about taking their business else where but you would have made an enemy and the first chance they get – they will go somewhere else. Check out the USA, land of the not so plenty. Companies are offering free classes, tutorials, pictures and benefits that are resulting in more online traffic, more brand engagement, more money, more loyal customers.

Mobilise the mobile:

Mobile connectivity in SA is at approximately 90% and while we all blab on about the medium as a valuable medium, mobile advertising is in its infancy. While it has shown continued growth, advertising largely utilizes SMS and MMS. Boring! While PC and internet access is growing, the majority of South Africans stay connected via their mobiles. Companies offering free access, better applications, real time bargains and creative engagements are positioned to grow their bottom line growth.

Mix it Right

Get the mix right – it’s all about layering the brand engagement by employing the right mix of platforms, contexts, messages and experiences. Spend wisely for maximum impact.

Move in the right social circles

2010 is going to be definitely the time to leverage social media. Applications that connect with this captive audience will proliferate. Facebook is still the most popular social medium in SA and while companies have been quick to create a presence, taking full advantage of this audience who wear their hearts on their sleeves continues to elude them. Get in real expertise to deal with leveraging social media. Don’t just tick the boxes.

What are you doing for the holidays?

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

An overview of key industry player’s plans for the holidays.

Fiona Ramsay, Actress:   “December is often the busiest season for actors and performers and this year is one of those for me! I am playing Bouboulina the Blue Fairy in this year’s pantomime Pinocchio at the Joburg Theatre – and will be doing so right through the holiday season and into the New Year! After a break of 6 years since I last strutted my stuff in ‘pantoland’ – it’s fantastic to be back treading the vast boards of the Nelson Mandela Auditorium. All characters in panto explore aspects of the clown – both comic and tragic – and this year am playing the Blue Fairy in the mould of that great comedienne Mae West – who managed to make sexual reference and allusion funny! It feels fantastic to give such pleasure to audiences. I am followed by an entourage of Blue Ballet Fairies – every girl’s dream! So will be enjoying making people laugh over the festive season – signing autographs for enchanted little ones and of course unwinding with the large cast after the shows! But you can bet that after the season I will be on safari – enjoying a well-deserved bush break. Walking, game spotting and enjoying sundowners while watching the magnificent African sunsets! So much more enjoyable when one feels one has earned the break!!”
Simphiwe Mdlalose, CEO of Capricorn FM:   “What holiday? It’s all work, work and work – but good work in that I am part of a number of projects that will be delivering some really fantastic Christmas gifts to people who need it including the hand over of 16 homes to 16 women who have been victims of domestic violence with the Department of Local and Provincial Government. There’s also a Shoprite sponsored project where we give R10 000 to five homes that are looking after children that are orphans or disabled. I’m also participating in a walk to commemorate the World Aids Day, promoting the radio Station and hosting a New Year’s Eve Bash sponsored by MTN. In between that, I will make time to spend with my wife and kids. So all in all – a busy but really “feel good” time.”
Jason Levin, Managing Director – HDI Youth:   “Since I have only just come back from Thailand, the holidays will be spent in quiet, sunny Johannesburg; Christmas with my family which will be wonderful since my brother will be visiting from Sweden. I’m also likely to go up to Sun City for a few days at some point over the hols. Happy Holidays…”
Imraan Coovadia, Author:   “This year it’s Christmas in Durban, with my parents. New Year’s in Berlin, with, I guess, the Germans. I found an extremely cheap flight with Egypt Air. Not that I’m looking forward to flying but at least there’ll be other Muslims on the plane for people to worry about. The pilot, especially…”
Fortunato Mazzone, Celebrity Chef   “On the 13th of December I am leaving for Europe with my family and we are landing in Zurich and taking an old school slow grand tour by car down to my holiday home in Pietrastornina near the Amalfi Coast. Our itinerary is Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Graz, Trieste, Venice, Perugia, Orvieto, Rome, Naples, Pietrastornina and then back via Milan, Piedmont, Geneva and back to Zurich. Yay…I can’t wait….Great food, beautiful Opera and incredible Family.”

Books, movies and music to share

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

 
 
 
The holidays are here and long glorious days lie ahead. Here are some great books, music and movies to while away the time.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BOOKS TO READ

Fans of True Blood have to read A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse: The Complete Stories) by bestselling author Charlaine Harris who has re-imagined the supernatural world with her Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. This is a collection of every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written-together in one volume. Stories include “Fairy Dust,” “One Word Answer,” “Dracula Night,” “Lucky,” and “Giftwrap.”

Read Swedish writing genius Stieg Larsson’s “The Millenium-series” which were published posthumously and comprise “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo“, “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest” You will love the two main characters of the series, the dysfunctional avenging angel Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Since his sudden death of a heart attack in November 2004, his trilogy has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, and he was the second bestselling author in the world in 2008.

MOVIES TO WATCH

Animation buffs cannot afford to miss A Christmas Carol, a truly technically superb Disney production that will surprise with its hints of real darkness. Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). Scrooge makes it clear that he has no intention of enjoying the holiday and, as always, goes home-alone-where he encounters the ghost of his dead business partner Joseph Marley. Marley, who’s paying the price in the afterlife for his own callousness, hopes to help Scrooge avoid a similar fate and tells him that he will be visited by three spirits. But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take Old Scrooge on an eye-opening journey revealing truths he’s reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late.

Engage in the Boston Legal marathon. Fans of Boston Legal know that it is the best ever series on lawyers. The Alan Shore (James Spader) and Denny Krane (William Shatner) pairing is a match made in TV heaven. Nearly all episodes end with Denny and Alan sitting in the balcony, having a drink and smoking a cigar and discussing the events in the episode. Another favorite much loved character is the brainy Jerry Espenson with Asperger’s syndrome played by Christian Clemenson. Some dialogue to whet your appetite:

From “Boston Legal: The Cancer Man Can (Series2.Episode 11)” (2006)

Alan Shore: Jerry… you know I have tremendous affection for my own intelligence, and even I think you are smarter than me.

Jerry Espenson: Oh, I am.

MUSIC TO SHARE

The Very Best of Diana Krall includes great interpretations of timeless vintage standards by such composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Van Heusen and Cahn, and Bacharach and David. Destined to become Krall classics are “S’Wonderful,” “Peel Me A Grape” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” It is smooth listening, ideal for a romantic night under the stars with a bottle of bubbly.

Get the dance shoes out with Brenda Fassie’s Greatest Hits featuring “Weekend Special” and that song that gets all South Africans jiving “Vul’indlela”. Brenda Fassie was the best-known – and probably most controversial figure in township pop, scoring a gigantic hit in 1983 with her debut maxi single “Weekend Special” which was recorded with her band The Big Dudes. Making disco history, this funky get down groove number became South Africa’s fastest-selling single making the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and featuring in concerts in the US, UK, Europe, Brazil and Australia.

Sex, Lies and Scandal

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

Gossip, scandal, hoaxes, topless Page 3 girls and outlandish headlines characterize the tabloid press. Love them or hate them, there is no doubt that South Africa’s media landscape was changed forever in 2001 with the introduction of new players on the block – noisy screaming bratty babies whose headline-grabbing tantrums have made these tabloids, the most popular daily papers with million of readers.

Kaapse Son, Daily Sun, Sunday World, Isolezwe, Son, English Daily Voice and Ilanga are newspapers that have drawn huge criticism from serious mainstream media who decry the poor journalistic standards and the supposedly racist, stereotypical paradigms in which tabloid media operates. This is part of on going debate about popular journalism and “tabloidization” among serious journalists and academics amidst a changing media landscape that is facing tough competition from an online revolution that has changed the way we consume news and information. But the real truth is that the tabloid press is not some rude upstart but really a part of a journalistic tradition going back to the 1890’s. Today’s tough market conditions have seen a number of respectable media houses publishing tabloid style newspapers following in the tradition of newspapers a good century ago who competed for attention with loud flashy pictures and attention snatching headlines. All over the world, the pattern is the same… tabloids make more money and have far greater circulation than their serious media counterparts.

Now that says a lot about what we, the general public want to read about.

Proponents of the tabloid talk of its truly “subversive” nature, its ability to challenge the status quo and its focus on giving people the information they want to hear. The tabloid agenda is often very simple – big, loud SCANDAL which may embarrass the powers that be, catch celebrities in compromising positions (remember Hugh Grant) or spill the beans on the latest government gossip.

Providing entertainment galore, who can resist a headline like: I married an Alien or My child is a tokoloshe? Research has shown that readers of the tabloid press in SA are generally Black South Africans who have never bought a newspaper before. One view is that mainstream newspapers don’t reflect the “face” of the largely uneducated working class who’s spiritual and material realities are very different to sophisticated suburbanites. With their “ask Ma “ advice columns and how to access services articles, their popularity is based on a “community” paper activist format that uses regional languages, gossip, bizarre headlines and larger than life pictures to forge a relationship with their readers.

Whatever the reason, the world is obsessed with gossip, celebrities and scandals. The “there for the grace of God go I “syndrome will keep the tabloid press in business for a long time. Think about poor Joost – his indiscretions continue to hog the headlines while Khanyi Mbau virtually owes her celebrity status to the tabloid press.

We may deny this, but we all love gossip, sex and scandal and how much better when they are combined in one infamous package.

One of DSTV’s post popular channels is the tabloid style E! Entertainment channel, a 24 hour television tabloid with shows like “Celebs Uncensored,” where paparazzi stalk star celebrities to catch their most embarrassing moments on tape. Think of poor Britney and her sans-panties picture!

Bizarre, bad, gutter press, scandalous, immoral, disgraceful, reprehensible, indecent, shameful, disreputable … all words used to describe tabloid journalism but no one could ever say BORING.

Green… the new Black?

Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

We’ve gone green crazy… everyone and everything is green or claiming to be green … from companies to brands to products and services… green’s the way to go. More than a colour, it’s morphed into a headspace, movement, trend and a global imperative. Being green is no longer associated with tree huggers, hippies, and green warriors – it’s mainstreamed and every Tom, Dick and Mary has embraced the term green.

Cleaning products clothes, food, cars, furniture – every aspect of society has been influenced by the environmental lobby. With earth’s resources being rapidly depleted, the global movement for sustainable development has created a number of imperatives related to being “green”.

As you can imagine, there is a great deal at stake. Cutting one’s carbon footprint can be a costly exercise and for many companies, its means cutting profits but most companies also realise that to keep a competitive edge, they have to be green … hence the proliferation of green products, green policy, green ideology etc etc etc

It all sounds like its working out really well – right? Wrong!

Key to the notion of going green is greenwashing … derived from the phrase “white washing” …which means to gloss over the truth, tomislead consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Ah the fibs companies tell – from outright lying to omission of facts, to artful rearrangement of data to mislead, misrepresent and pull the wool over the eyes of consumers!



It’s open, ongoing warfare…on the left are the environmentalists and to the right are governments and big business. The war is fought through the media via elaborate often spectacular campaigns. Each side employs a plethora of marketing devices bombarding the public with messages related to their cause. No expense is spared with the best creative minds attempting to sway public perceptions, steal our hearts and win our minds.

The stakes are sky high….apart from the planet’s health, the green economy is huge as consumers demand more green products and environmentally responsible corporate citizens. And Global Business has responded speedily. Between 2007 and 2009, the in-store availability of so-called ‘green’ products increased between 40% and 176%.

Hurrah, we are going to save the planet!

Once again – wrong.



The same study found that at least 98% of products surveyed were committing at least one Sin of Greenwashing compiled by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing.

98%… that’s frightening. Will the doomsday scenario prevail? Ultimately only we can decide – by embracing our responsibility, making green choices, and “outing” those that “green wash”!

To download a copy of the 2009 Seven Sins of Greenwashing Report, or to view some handy tools, go to: www.sinsofgreenwashing.org.

Donkeys, sharks, ostriches…

Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

Donkeys, sharks, ostriches… the recession has brought out the animal in all of us. The sharks, apex predators of note, engage in a feeding frenzy buying up floundering companies at rock bottom prices. Flamboyant, dizzy ostriches continue to spend spend spend and the donkeys? Well their unthinking kick hard responses may cause their own downfall.

Economic downturns affect changes in three areas: budget, consumer and the market. Often knee jerk reactions occur. Companies slash at their budgets and generally the first to go is the marketing line. Not smart.

History proves that companies that dramatically change their marketing spend, risk losing market share. It’s not brain surgery – out of sight, out of mind and the bottom line profit is affected – permanently. Research shows that after the recession passes, a number of those companies do not survive.

Surprisingly, marketers and the full range of media are optimistic and not doing too badly.

The CMO Council’s Marketing Outlook ‘09 study shows that global top marketers are reporting few changes to staff and budgets. However, they are being asked to do more for less and deliver measurable value against investment. Early results indicate a clear shift towards digital marketing with less spend on more expensive advertising in traditional media.

So no-one’s hiring, marketing budgets are fragile, what do you do?

When times are tough, the marketing budget, team and the agencies become the target. The consensus on how to stay ahead and prevent your head landing up on the chopping block is to drive the strategic issues. Leadership is key – forget the flashy and focus on reality. Are you providing sufficient hard ROI data to the boss people? Are you ensuring that marketing is an intrinsic part of the business strategy?

It’s time to be seen! You can only prove you can market a product or company by marketing yourself and your worth. A simple case of “do as I do and do as I say”!

Experts agree it’s time to innovate, add value, tweak what you have, explore digital options and really understand the brands you market: its strengths, weaknesses and most importantly – your beleaguered consumers!

For the cash strapped, focus on the existing market by adding value and incentives to consolidate customer loyalty. New markets are only viable if you have oodles of cash

Media income deflates and it’s likely that you will get the space at a better price. Canny companies take advantage of the fact that their competitors are not advertising and the cluttered space is suddenly wide open to stake a bigger claim.

So whether you are a marketer or a company, the recession can and does present myriad opportunities to prove that you’re the best at what you do.

The South African CSI Scene

Posted on 27. Aug, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

Band Aid relief versus Thought Leadership… CSI for systemic change in South Africa
Yogavelli Nambiar-Varma, Head: CSR Consultancy of Kaelo Worldwide Media

There is much talk about corporate social responsibility, corporate social investment, sustainability, corporate citizenship, responsible business, sustainable development, philanthropy, triple bottom line, etc. What a plethora of terminologies exist to describe this sector! We’re really good at labeling what we do and love the endless chatter around it.

But, do we do it well?

Not always.

Granted, there are a few companies that lead the pack but largely, the corporate investment sector vacillates between a few who envision innovative interventions; to some who do a great job in strategizing and implementing social investment efforts, to the majority of others who still believe that the traditional “charitable model” is the way to go.

But it is not a doom and gloom scenario?

Corporate citizenship is in an exciting nascent space right now. The sector has grown and new, creative perspectives have joined the guiding voice of the experience and expertise of development stalwarts. Consulting agencies and conferences have sprouted which indicate that there has been an identification of the need for more strategic corporate interventions.

There is a new government – one that still needs to gain the trust of the private sector – and new possibilities to carve public-private partnerships that rise to meet our social development challenges. A highly impactful example is the partnership platforms created by The Business Trust and we need more of the same to share our learning.



South Africa may be in a much more favorable position with regards to the global financial crisis; but many companies have initiated cutbacks to their CSI budgets or CSI communications budgets necessitating a need for greater innovation and strategic thought around how the company’s social investments are implemented and brand value realized.

And adding to the possibilities, the biggest sporting spectacle arrives on our doorstep in 2010 and there will be no more hiding from the critical view of the world.

As a developing country, South Africa has more to solve and more to lose…there are too many people within and without our borders, who are dependent on “us”, the “other”, the ones who can.
Our incredible intellectual capital locally and regionally must be harnessed to bring about the sustainable social change we desire. It is in South Africa that the innovative, now global concepts of e-pap, lapdesks and the award-winning Phelopepha train were created to meet the huge development needs of hunger, education and health in rural areas.

Now it’s time to focus the energy, intelligence and expertise we have to achieve even greater results.

Collaboration is oft spoken about and while it is (sometimes) done well between companies and non-profit organizations, we would be hard pressed to find examples of multi-corporate partnerships for social good. Concerns around the loss of brand differentiation and/or a lesser competitive advantage of going it alone narrows the perspective on the role and opportunities for business to use the power of collaboration to effect social change.

However, a more holistic intervention is needed – encompassing advocacy and lobbying; awareness-building and fundraising ; galvanizing all company resources for the effective implementation of its projects and consolidating business alliances into strategic partnerships that look at all the needs around a chosen issue.

It’s the difference between being a thought leader that strategizes around systemic change, as opposed to being the bearer of band-aid relief.

The crux of current debates in the CSI sector is on diverse methods of using the capitalist marketplace for social good ranging from how to create real structural change in addressing social issues (as opposed to providing continued short-term relief efforts with no long-term strategy) to dialogues on social entrepreneurship, social enterprises, creating blended value, socially responsible investing, etc.

Both the CSI and development paradigms are required equally in order to bring about the social equity we all strive for.

Read more about the author: Yogavelli Nambia

Art for the 21st Century and beyond

Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by admin in Headlines and Opinions

by Gita Pather

Assigning meaning is an instinctive human response but art and especially new art is particularly illusive as theorist Theodor Adorno who most aptly encapsulated this when he stated in 1969, “It is self-evident that nothing concerning art is self-evident.”

The saying “The more things change, the more they stay the same” may not be exactly accurate anymore. Computer technology and the World Wide Web have changed the very nature of society and no one is immune to its reach and influence. The global village is a virtual cyberspace connecting information networks and people,changing radically how we think, interact, play and work.

One of the most visceral statements of this change is art. Traditional notions of art have been exploded, subverted, incorporated and fundamentally changed by an onslaught of new formats, techniques and concepts. It’s a natural response to a technology driven world and like artistes from time immemorial, new media artistes express themselves and reflect their experiences through means particular to their time.

Boundaries between traditional art forms have been stretched and squeezed like a palette of paint resulting in photographs that are not quite what they seem, films that incorporate digital special effects, whole musical compositions based purely on digitally produced sound and interactive artwork that belongs to no-one and yet everyone.

Art is intrinsically subversive – reflecting and critiquing society but new art seems even more so since it strives all at once to break down the barriers between art and audience, between tangible and intangible, rollicking merrily from being playful to serious, self reflexive to socially critical. The impulses are as diverse as the artistes who create and the tools that they use.

New Media art, digital art, netart, tradigital art, computer art, cyber art … are all terms to describe the different “art” forms that have resulted from the development of computer hardware and software. More than any other creative landscape, these forms are far more dynamic because of the constant technological advancements/refinements of computer and web technology.

Images, sound, video, algorithms, DVD and CD ROMS, animation, video games, websites are all classified as “digital art” and through interdisciplinary collaboration have spawned a whole range of art forms including performance art, installations, multimedia performance, happenings… the days of rigid definitions that circumscribe an art form are over.

Post-postmodernism… a combination of art for arts sake and art with a heart: asking questions, making statements about the world, the stranglehold of corporate monopolies, the super powers, the materialistic nature of existence in the 21st century and consumerism.

Before one can ask the question is it art, one has to define what art is and therein lies the problem. That answer / those answers have changed over time reflecting the complexities of an age shaped by very different defining forces. Viewed largely as a philosophical debate closely linked to aesthetics, notions of beauty, artistic skill, value and worth; it has profound and far-reaching implications within a particular time. Assigning aesthetic values is an instinctive practice made only by human beings but is impacted upon by a huge number of variables from sensory perceptions to the full gamut of factors that influence and shape culture like education, politics, morality and economics.

Thus theories of art abound, each reflective of a series of variables that shape a world view with both proponents and opponents resulting in theories within theories. Definitions of art include: art provides a unique insight into life, art is spiritual creating a link to the mystical and unknown, art is education, art is an experience, arts are a political and moral statement, art is a reflection of life and art is an interpretation of life.

Philosophers and theorists from Aristotle and Plato to Kant to Hegel have all posited definitions of art but perhaps it is Theodor Adorno who most aptly encapsulates the illusiveness of assigning meaning to art when he stated in 1969, “It is self-evident that nothing concerning art is self-evident.” New Media Art is a reflection of our time…so whether it is art or not is probably immaterial …

Two amazing sites to visit are www.digitalartistshandbook.org and www.artsandculture.com