A belated invitation was received on Friday 9th to attend a screening of Cameron Platter's digital movie "Beware the Curves", with soundtrack composed and produced by Dean Henning (Captain Asthma, Sound of And Band and numerous other nomme de musique).

Intriguing as the invitation was, I had little idea of what lay in store at the beguilingly magnificent setting of Manna...

Well the usual crowd of bourgeoisie bohemians was in attendance, with an early warm up set provided by Dj Brad (of Rustpunk fame). Again for a really chilled entry into the weekend, Manna has all the elements, including awesome ambience, and eclectic trippy chilled musical vibes. Its worth visiting Manna just to experience the courtyard at night, lit by fairy lights and candles, really the atmosphere in my opinion is unmatched anywhere else in Durban, and a great change to the normal stuffy interiors of the typical bar or restaurant. Enjoying the sultry evening air after a long week adds to the whole experience.

The main focus of the evening was a showing of "Beware the Curves" a digital, computer generated movie by local visual artist Cameron Platter. Cameron's work is critically acclaimed both locally and internationally, having shown his work in Cannes, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam amongst others, according to the few online sources I could find.

Cameron PlatterThen the lights dimmed, and the audience hushed itself into silence...

Beware the Curves

What leapt forth from the screen was a visual and aural rollicking romp of irreverence, commentary, crassness and comedy (who could forget the "gratuitous" strip club scene!). The visual styling was lo-fi and computer generated, the sound track by Dean Henning was sophisticated, and in my opinion actually makes the movie.

I cannot speak highly enough of the superb soundtrack, which flowed and synchronized with the action and pace of the onscreen antics in an effortless and absorbing way. The experience was one that all good video art or "movies" should accomplish (which Beware the Curves did!) which is to envelope the viewer, immersing them in the "virtual" world it beams forth, taking one on a journey, a trip that transports one from mundane reality, to... well basically somewhere else other than here...

Deeper meanings? Social Commentary? I am by no means a media critic or skilled enough to understand all the potential artistic layers, with all respect to this talented artist... maybe he was just taking the piss?

If anyone out there reading this experienced the rollercoaster ride at Manna, please add in your comments, as they say "art is in the eye of the beholder".

To conclude, it is really exciting to see this type of work from a local artist, together with the growing number of artists working in digital media, and pushing the boundaries of innovation, one really must be encouraged to support these artists, and go to viewings, exhibitions and other such funky happenings!

Welcome to the 21st century Mzansi style, seen and heard through the eyes of the new generation of techno terrorists and digitally subversive operatives!

For a sneak peak of Beware the Curves, go here for a small preview clip: HERE