While Robert Sloon was having his cash taken off him at the National Gallery, I was voluntarily giving mine away to the barman at the Kwa Mlamli shebeen in Gugs, which had been turned into a temporary gallery for the day. There was another group show by the 'Gugulective', which included video (good), painting (very good), interactive painting (got a bit sentimental), and performance, which was the main focus of the show.

Most of the performance was live and of the musical kind, and it was spirited and fun. But I'm afraid I have a strange neural dysfunction which makes me resistant to the charms of dub poetry, which there was quite a lot of too. I liked the performance by Unathi Sigenu who sat in the bar sending sms messages. Mine said “Arrest the art”, which I liked. Though he should probably have sent it to Robert Sloon instead.

This piece written by Lizza

Labels: Gugulective, Lizza, painting, performance, Unathi Sigenu, video art

Terms of Endearment”
Johan Thom
Single Channel Video loop
Duration: 4min49sec
Preview available on www.youtube.com/thomjohan
......................................................................
The Omo Mailbag
Freepost Address
Kwazulu Natal
Durban
South Africa
4000

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have had a ‘great experience’ with OMO Multi Active washing powder. Please find enclosed a short DVD (4min39sec) detailing this wonderful encounter.

For ever so long I have felt dirty and dejected. My thoughts have constantly veered to the dark side – swearing like a trooper, having outrageous sexual fantasies, desiring the overthrow of the establishment and generally thinking about death. But no longer. I have thoroughly cleansed myself with your product. I must say though that it tastes awful though (fortunately I had some Champagne on hand to wash away the aftertaste and to celebrate my newfound lease on life). Now my life seems worthwhile, and I have an added spring in my step. Wherever I go people can notice the difference.

However, should say that the OMO Toll-free Helpline wasn’t helpful at all. But I guess that is the wonder of our brave new world. We can help ourselves. Thus after carefully following your instructions for use in a frontloading machine, I decided that, for such severe filth as pervades my being, one scoop simply wouldn’t do. I am happy to report that a whole 1kg box seems to have done the trick (for now anyway).

Rest assured that I am not an idiot or a madman: I know that this product is meant for use in a machine! But after having read so much contemporary philosophy and socio-political theory I cannot help but experience my body as a mechanical gadget simply in service of the state, capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism and god knows what or who else.

So as long as I keep on having dirty thoughts I am going to keep loading my machine with your product! I am really committed to being a well-adapted, fully functional citizen.

If you ever need anyone to testify to the power of OMO washing powder, know that I am your man.

Yours truly

Johan Thom

Labels: Johan thom, south african artist, video art