Local photographer exhibit in the US 27 February, 2007

GABORONE - Local photographer, Mogakolodi Boikanyo, is exposing his talent to the international market by exhibiting his photographic works and showcasing Botswanas culture in the United States of America (USA). Boikanyo will exhibit his photographs at the Duquesne University in Pennsylvania State on March 12-23. The exhibit will focus on Botswana traditional houses and the architectural part of it. He said the idea is to take advantage of the international market not only to showcase his talent but to showcase the richness of Botswanas culture. This is my initiative. I want to share with the outside world the beauty of our traditional houses, which are now becoming extinct, as well as to share with the world the potential in African photography, he said. Boikanyo, who is also a writer, said due to modernity, Batswana have neglected their traditional houses for modern ones. In the advent of modernity, he said part of Botswanas culture should be preserved so as not to leave the impression that Batswana never had something they can identify with. This is why I am showing Botswanas culture through the lenses of the camera. I have captured that which identifies well with the life of Batswana, he said. He said despite the modern houses which have taken over, the traditional houses provided shelter for Batswana and if well built, they survived harsh weather. The traditional houses are cylindrical in shape and made from clay walls with conical thatch roofs. Women used the houses to explore their creativity by decorating the house with soils of different colours especially during weddings and independence celebrations. He said as the country is battling with measures on how it can brand itself, traditional houses can help in branding the country. We do not have to look far to find branding measures. Why not use something which has always been part of Batswana, something that identifies with Botswana well, he said. He advised other local artists to take advantage of the international market to showcase their wares adding they should not expect to be spoon fed by the government. They should find their own means of exhibiting outside to brand themselves. Alongside photography, Boikanyo is also a writer. He has authored a book Lo ojwa lo sale metsi, a supplementary literature text for junior certificate level. In 2002, he was honoured with the journalist of the year award, while working for Mokgosi, a Setswana newspaper that has since folded. In 2004, he exhibited mind blowing photographs at Thapong International Visual Art centre themed The Final Judgment. The pictures featured a death by train, to try and prevent people from committing suicide by throwing themselves in front of moving trains, something which was common then. BOPA