It was a gathering of creative minds and performance acts at
Artmosphere, a music, poetry and arts event in Ibadan. The January edition tagged ‘Of Seasons and Reasons’, held in fellowship with Creative Alliance, organisers of the competition, Literary Star Search, a creative enterprise in Lagos, at Treasures4Life Arts Galleries and Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan.
Artmosphere, a music, poetry and arts event in Ibadan. The January edition tagged ‘Of Seasons and Reasons’, held in fellowship with Creative Alliance, organisers of the competition, Literary Star Search, a creative enterprise in Lagos, at Treasures4Life Arts Galleries and Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan.
The event, which had Femi Fadeyi Ijofire, a drama, dance and creative performer, as guest, turned out a memorable one. Poets who read at the event included Sotanmide Oluwatobi and Olukayode Servio Gbadamosi. Organiser of Artmosphere, Femi Fairchild Morgan, also read a witty short story titled ‘Oil is thicker than Blood’.Ijofire, who also trains dancers, actors and orators, demonstrated
his artistry, when he performed what he called a ‘donolouge’. He said his self-coined term is a combination of music, dance and soliloquy. Fadeyi used his technique to act out the challenge of students in the hands of their lecturers, whom he said see themselves as judges that predict the future of students with a stroke of the pen.
his artistry, when he performed what he called a ‘donolouge’. He said his self-coined term is a combination of music, dance and soliloquy. Fadeyi used his technique to act out the challenge of students in the hands of their lecturers, whom he said see themselves as judges that predict the future of students with a stroke of the pen.
Ijofire’s DanceArt is an academy for aspiring performing artistes and broadcasters, especially voice-overs artists. He also shared his experience as a dance performer and teacher, saying, “Money should never be a basis for our creative enterprise, although money is important. Only mediocres look for money instead of getting skills. When you acquire skills, your services
will be needed”.Seun Jegede, spokesperson for Literary Star Search contest, which just opened to all writers in the short story category, commended Artmosphere group for their endeavours in promoting the arts, especially literary art. Jegede posed a lot of thought-provoking remarks on the low regard for writers; who play a great role in ennobling society and exploring new frontiers of culture.
He stated, “But take a look at writers. Nobody knows them, except they are your neighbours or colleagues. Yet their output helps in ennobling society in upholding
these values that are appropriate for society’s wellbeing. So why are
they not the guys next door cruising around in sleek cars and being
hailed? In other words, why are they the poor fellows next door?”
Jedege then informed the audience of the firm’s move in creating support for writers through Literary Star Search contest with a N1 million grand prize.“Perhaps the starting point of giving writers a boost in Nigeria is the Literary Star Search, a contest initiated by Creative Alliance that opened early last month. Writers need to be nurtured, promoted and rewarded so they can truly shine like true stars worthy of being celebrated. This is why the search for the best short story writer
contest is instituted. Writers have been put down for far too long; they need to begin to raise their heads high not as beggarly neighbours to movie and music stars but as true stars to be envied”. For more information on the contest visit www.creativeallianceng.com or www.literarystarsearch.
management firm based in Ibadan, told the audience that a lot of
talents, including music artistes, young poets and writers were not
willing to make sacrifices that would make their works become known.
Gbadamosi lamented not only a poor reading culture but also
the collaborations necessary for growth. Alluding to the Mbari club
that weaned Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, JP Clark and Chinua Achebe, he commended Artmosphere for attempting a renaissance of creative activities in Ibadan and Nigeria. He read ‘Rosimaya’, a poem by Atukwei Okai, a Ghanaian poet and ‘Just a Passer by’ Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali.
After his reading, he advised Nigerians to learn to show concern to events happening in other parts of Nigeria, especially the security lapses in the North evident by the sporadic bombings by the Boko Haram
sect. management firm based in Ibadan, told the audience that a lot of
talents, including music artistes, young poets and writers were not
willing to make sacrifices that would make their works become known.
Gbadamosi lamented not only a poor reading culture but also
the collaborations necessary for growth. Alluding to the Mbari club
that weaned Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, JP Clark and Chinua Achebe, he commended Artmosphere for attempting a renaissance of creative activities in Ibadan and Nigeria. He read ‘Rosimaya’, a poem by Atukwei Okai, a Ghanaian poet and ‘Just a Passer by’ Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali.
He said: “We should not ignore this trend as it may befall on us, when we refuse to be our brother’s keepers.”In line with the mood of the season, Sotanmide Oluwatobi, a student of the University of Ibadan, read three poems titled ‘Legacy of Liars’,‘Brave Bastards’ and ‘Here in Molete’. These poems reflect themes ofgovernment insensitivity, suffering, and the degradation of societal values, to mention a few.Artmosphere started in June 2010 with support from Treasures4Life Arts Gallery. The event seeks to promote literary activities and synergies in the arts community, fellowship and mentorship among creative artistes. It also seeks to discuss issues that affect the evolving cultures in Nigeria.
The event has hosted acclaimed writers like Tade Ipadeola, Remi Raji, Ayo Olofintuade and Niran Okewole.
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