My Bro's Art

Missa Luba

Done with the to-do list, resting in my room, immersed in thoughts, recollections and memories, visualizing the coming Christmas time filled with various eye catching and heart touching celebrations, I found myself reminiscing one of the best choirs in Africa, if not the very best (at least out of those I know myself) - the Muungano National Choir from Nairobi, Kenya. I remember the very first time I happened to listen to their a capella songs some 16-17 years ago... I rushed then to Nairobi to buy their audio CD and - as I was happy to find out - also their VHS recording of the same audio CD...

Mwenge

On the day of my flight to Europe, usually I go to Mwenge, an area of Dar es Salaam, which years ago was on the outskirts of the city and now is considered one of the most prestigious locations in Dar, almost a downtown Dar es Salaam, such is the expansion of the city. Mwenge is famous not only for the St. Maximillian Maria Kolbe Catholic Parish, which parochial church was built by a Polish Salesian missionary, Fr. Karol, in late eighties and early nineties, but also for one street where the small shops of dealers in African art of all sorts are lined up...

Florian

Today was a calm and productive day. First full day of rest after landing in Dar es Salaam last night. The keyword to this day is Florian. Florian Ludovick Kaija, to be precise. My friend and partner in crime - working together on many artistic projects in Kiabakari, Musoma and also for our Foundation 'Kiabakari'. I went this morning to see him at home, then we came back to city center for lunch and business talk...

Night Theme

Helena, your suggestion to consider Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' triggered stream of memories and emotions woven around night theme... I consider myself as a night hawk, who barely sleeps and respects night time as a creative time, full of unexpected twists and turns, unlike a daytime job. I will talk more on this later on this blog as night work, night experiences, night mental and emotional journeys are my world, dear to my heart, fascinating, scary, calling...

Here is your painting, Helena...If not those European type houses, I could consider it as an awesome presentation of African night sky. So many times I was left in awe, speechless, going out and looking up in stars and on other occasions admiring full moon fiercely blasting its lunar light like a pale veil falling over the sleeping landscape...

The term 'stars' made me to travel in my mind and heart to Prague, to Alphonce Mucha's museum in Czech Republic capital city (see also here - https://www.artsy.net/artist/alphonse-mucha). I still recall vividly my first and only (so far) visit to his museum a few years ago. His art is so naturally coming to my framework of art concept and sensitivity to beauty...I love his works, but among them 'The Four Stars' series is among top ones (the picture below is of poor quality - these posters are beautifully done in reality, with 'nightish' palette of colors)...

The Four Stars: The Moon, The Evening Star, The Polestar, The Morning Star -1902

And the all knowing Moon looking upon us over Kiabakari...