Arts review 2012-First local music award crowns artistic calendar |31 December 2012
The event – which brought down the curtain on the year’s calendar of activities – was a celebration of local music to show appreciation for the contribution of the music industry to the socio-cultural and economic development of Seychelles.
The award also caters for veteran artists who have made a significant contribution to the local music industry.
The winners in the seven categories of the red carpet event held at the International Conference Centre were Ambitious (best male recording artist of the year), Sandra (best female recording artist of the year), Highness (best new male recording artist of the year), Rahna Jules (best new female recording artist of the year), Curious and HB (best group/duet recording artists of the year), Ion Kid (best song recording for the year with his song Refiz), Angelique (best sega recording of the year with her song Kouler Vanille) and John Wirtz (honorary award winner).
The first award was sponsored by the Seychelles Breweries Limited with Laguna Lounge as the co-sponsor and the trophy was in the shape of a Zez – a local traditional instrument.
Other 2012 artistic highlights …
Ion Kid wins carnival song competition
Michael ‘Ion Kid’ Savy was the grand winner of a song competition for the third Carnaval International de Victoria set for February 8-10 next year.
His song – Nou Karnaval – finished ahead of second placed Seytoile with Karnaval de Victoria, while Daniella Larue was third with Carnaval aux Seychelles.
The winners got their prizes during the event’s countdown launch at the Tequila Boom nightclub.
Artist’s community loses Girno
In 2012, the local arts circle lost one of its most skillful and multi-talented young members, Girno Beaudoin, who tragically passed away following an accident.
To honour the artist – who was also an art teacher by profession – an art exhibition displaying some of his work was organised at the Carrefour des Arts gallery. The exhibition – set up by colleagues, family members and close friends and coincided with Girno’s 32nd birthday – was part of the activities to commemorate this year’s Teacher’s Week.
Arts Festival offers an array of artistic work and performances
Hosted by the National Arts Council (Nac) from August 30 to September 2, the Arts Festival offered a range of activities, including music, literature, dance, visual arts, fashion, graphic design in 2 and 3D, theatre, photography and film.
Among the featured activities were workshops, an art lecture by Pat Matyot entitled Seychelles in world art – from Marianne North to Du Jie, and the launch of a poetry chapbook Voyaz san valiz at the National Cultural Centre.
An exhibition under the theme Latras mon penso showcasing the works of various artists was held at Kaz Zanana, while poetry lovers enjoyed an evening of recitals under the theme Lekritir lo lardwaz at the National Theatre, Mont Fleuri.
Other activities included live musical performances at the Stad Popiler car park, and a musical show at the ICCS by well-known artist Philip Toussaint.
Local and international Djs also had the chance to show off their skills in a Dj Fiesta at the Upgrade discotheque in town, while the festival also featured a book fair, street theatre and sketches held in an Arts Garden at the National Cultural Centre.
Other activities during the week included the launch of a photography exhibition entitled Klendey at the Carrefour des Arts, drama, musical shows, outdoor Dj fiesta, projection of short films and dance performances.
An art exhibition was also mounted at La Réserve hotel on Praslin for artists on the island and on La Digue, giving them the chance to showcase their work.
The next festival will be held in 2014 while an Arts Awards will be launched next year.
Seychelles finishes fifth in global song contest
A group of young Seychellois singers won the fifth prize at the Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest, aimed at collecting musical messages from youths around the world exploring global solutions for sustainable development.
Their song entitled Respect for life got the help of several local artists including Joe Samy, Patrick Victor and Raymond Clarisse in the making.
The Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest is a global competition for young people organised by the International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges. It gives the youths the opportunity to express their hopes, concerns and thoughts on the future of our earth through music.
New Art gallery to uplift artistic experience
A new art gallery opened its doors at the Eden Plaza, offering a variety of original artworks from various famous and established as well as upcoming Seychellois artists.
The Eden Art Gallery – described as A haven for Seychellois artists – is situated in suite 103 of the Eden Plaza and co-owned by distinguished artists Nigel Henry and Camille Mondon.
It is also the biggest ever contemporary art gallery the country ever had.
It features original work whose techniques vary from acrylic, oil, water colour, wood to mixed media.
Mercenary performs in Rodrigues and Mauritius
Seychellois Reggaeman Mercenary performed alongside Mauritian, regional and international artists during the 2012 Festival Kreol of both Rodrigues and Mauritius.
After receiving the initial invitation from Rodrigues through bilateral cooperation, the Ministry for Tourism and Culture helped Mercenary with organising his trip to Rodrigues to take part in the festival.
While in Rodrigues, Mercenary was invited by the Mauritian government to take part in Mauritius’ Festival Kreol. Mercenary is the only Seychellois artist who performed in both festivals. He performed alongside famous artists like Dominique Barret from Reunion, and Black Rod and Real Mystika from Rodrigues in the island’s festival.
Dream Team vainqueure du Festival Hip Hop ‘Break The Beat Championship’
Dream Team était le vainqueur du Festival Hip Hop ‘Break The Beat Championship’, sélection seychelloise du Battle de L’Ouest, qui s’était déroulé le dimanche 5 août de 14h à 18h au Palais des Sports de Roche Caïman.
Organisé par le Ministère du Tourisme et de la Culture, la compagnie Artistik, l’association Soul City et l’Alliance Française, cet événement avait rassemblé 11 équipes seychelloises de 4 danseurs et plus de 650 spectateurs.
Shany Arzeux de La Réunion et représentant de Soul City, Aboubakar Bebale de France et Ambrose Uren d’Afrique du Sud, étaient les invités d’honneur de ce festival. Danseurs professionnels de Hip Hop - break-dance, ils ont jugé le battle en compagnie de deux juges locaux, Andrew et Dominic.
Le vainqueur Dream Team était suivi en deuxième position par Joker Crew, alors que Street avait terminé troisième.
Compiled by R.D.