SWIKIRI is a gathering of African creativity through design. It
is a platform for collaboration, discussion, inspiration and exposure
of visual design, art, music, writing and all forms of creative
innovation.
SWIKIRI endorses the African experience.
Respek Afrika!
A storm is brewing in Africa.
It is time for all creative brothers and sisters to cast off your shackles of colour, language, religion, location and social constraints. Take arms.
For too long have we been muted and isolated as slaves to the western ideal. Let us take the African experience and expose it to the world. The age of the African Renaissance has come.
SWIKIRI wishes to open a gateway to the Global
creative community on the web. Avoiding a closed-minded approach,
we encourage the study and appreciation of the cutting-edge in
concept, thought and innovation in the World arena.
By providing a space for an Afro-centric community to gather, we aim to improve communication and collaboration. Where brothers and sisters can discuss, challenge and stimulate each other. SWIKIRI stands for empowerment of the individual, strength of the community.
Through digital media we unite designer, writer, musician, artist, developer – creator! By assimilating the rich influences of our great continent, we strive to foster the African Identity. Let us ignite the flame of design and creative expression. Sweet Mama Afrika!
SWIKIRI defies YOU, brother and sister, to express yourself and
celebrate the character of your land. So that our friends and
colleagues across the world hear our drum beat. So that they will
stop and say: “The African Storm is HERE!”
Respek Afrika!
SWIKIRI!
So you’ve read the Mission Statement and the Manifesto
and it sounds all revolutionary and political. Not exactly. We’re
just trying to get you thinking.
Africa is seldom represented beyond the stereotyped media message,
be that a wildlife documentary or a news bulletin dealing with
some extreme situation like war or drought. Even in Africa itself
we tend to be attracted to the Western ideal and too often overlook
our own experience. A pertinent example is the film industry in
South Africa. In a country that produces award-winning television
adverts at Cannes, film-makers have to finance their films from
abroad. If this isn’t enough, the films mostly never get
to run at local theatres. This can be attributed to lack of confidence
from: investors, distributors, theatre owners and worst of all,
the public. It seems that we are so influenced by Hollywood phoney
escapism that we are uncomfortable when faced with relevant situations
that we can identify with. SWIKIRI aims to challenge this attitude.
SWIKIRI is a place where the African experience can be communicated.
By African experience we have no prescribed ideals but do encourage:
- a critical viewpoint
- a unique and individual experience
- a fresh approach (challenging stereotypes)
- informative content
Anyone who wishes to express their message has their space. These
messages might be optimistic or they might expose some of the
harsh realities. Either way others will undoubtedly be able to
relate. By displaying peoples’ concepts and manifestations
we aspire to foster a respect and appreciation for African creativity.
We hope that this inspires individuals to collaborate more and
share ideas.
SWIKIRI_FASE01: the Quickening
In this initial phase, SWIKIRI shows signs of life. This introduction
aims to inform you of the concept and gather bruthas and sistas
willing to take the challenge.
You might be asking “What now?”
Go fill out the Get Involved form.
Sign-up for the Newsletta.
Ongoing projects for individuals and opportunities for collaboration
have begun; as long as you've signed up you will be given a shout
when you can take part. There are Forums for discussion there
will be galleries for photography and reviews and articles for
interest.
Disclaimer-type thing
SWIKIRI will strive to provide a diversified
representation of creativity. However, this will be directly related
to who chooses to participate. The existing members can only contribute
according to their own experiences and resources. Consequently
SWIKIRI will most likely grow organically
according to who participates. It can be anticipated that the
majority of contributors will be from South Africa and mostly
be involved with graphic design or new media (this is the nature
of the environment and accessibility). We will continue to encourage
involvement as broadly representative in Africa and within other
fields of communication.
If you have any questions, visit our FAQs
page