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Tag: wild intro
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Gin & Tonics and Khakis birthed the name ‘Brubru’
Let me start by saying that I am not saying that the Australian naturalist who discovered and named this bird either liked Gin and Tonics or wore Khakis, although I am pretty sure he did.
However, as much as his imagination was wrought with creativity, so does my mind wander off to a setting equally vibrant. And while we’re deep down in the dark of this ‘imagicave’ of mine, for good measure, lets go ahead and add a smoking pipe to the khaki clad gin and tonic-er.
Admittedly, the Brubru was a lifer for me on this trip, and my first sighting of it was from afar as it gave impressions of an overweight Batis. Which is what I yelled out with the confidence of “astounding ornithological authority”.
With no one around to correct me, I moved on swiftly to larger, more easily identifiable members of avifauna. It was not till later that night in a khaki-free, sober note at the campfire while conferring with a field guide that I smacked myself across the head as if to swat an insatiable mosquito (in the event anyone saw me).
However, no one was the wiser then and if not for this blog post, no one would have known that khakis influence and channel precise and masterful identification based on deduction and years of knowledge.
What I should have paid attention to, when confidently mis-id’ing the Brubru, was the call.
The Brubru – momentarily disregarding nomenclature – is a fascinating bird on several levels. Albeit wanting to side step nomenclature, it useless to mention the fascination without mentioning that though it is classified as a bush-shrike, it stands alone in its genus: Nilaus, and the word Brubru according to Urban Dictionary is “a nonsensical term of friendship or endearment towards a person of Orient” (bat your eyelids didjya?).
While we’re on that subject, whilst bush-shrikes were considered related to true shrikes, the two families are not closely related. Which is odd (to me), considering they share a few anatomical similarities. Then again, if that was a solid argument then I would have no trouble talking to girls (all being human beings and all), and yet, I seem to hit barriers quite often. I blame the khakis.
The other fascinating feature are its physical attributes of rufous markings that contrast the black and white feathers and it’s striking superciliary stripe with beak that professes lizard hunting capabilities (which is a very shrikey thing). But mostly, the call of the Brubru is – dare I say – Brutiful?
There, I said it!
Like other bush-shrikes, the Brubru is a talented ventriloquist and whistler of long – throwing, flutey “toot toot truuuu’s” that are responded to with love by a female as they ‘wooingly’ duet hot afternoons away.
To end this bird blog, Birlog®©, I would like to mention that this bird was spotted at the Selenkay Conservancy at the Game Watchers Camp and the place begs a visit. I also had one of my best kill/ hunting sightings there. Stay tuned to be surprised at exactly what hunted what (you will be bafflingly Brubru’ed).
Keep it Baobab for the next Birlog.
Till then, keep eyes in the sky and let me know if you spot a cool bird or need help with an ID.
A day after the first ID-ing it, I spent a little more time at its favorite tree and got a shot of the Brubru. Northern pied babblers. Some of the wonderful bird life at Selenkay Tawny Eagle in flight. Some of the wonderful birdlife at Selenkay Brown Snake Eagle in flight. Some of the wonderful bird life at Selenkay -
Magati Maosa
PEOPLE : MAGATI MAOSA
Big on film photography and just recently getting to share his visual art on apparels, Magati Maosa will get your head spinning once he welcomes you into his world. We get to discuss his connection with nature and how it influences his work and aesthetic, thoughts on concept theft and more.
1. Wild Intro
I am Magati Maosa, a 21 year old visual artist from Ongata Rongai, Central Kajiado.
I really love using the old Kodak Film camera that Ma’ used to have and only allowed us to use it at family gatherings or when my cousins asked me to take pictures of them. Three years ago, was when I realised that photography was diverse. My friend and fellow photographer, Patricia Karimi, encouraged me to push my interests and it helped better my photographic skill that is being able to compose, structure and produce work.2. Describe your aesthetic and what inspires itI love exploring emotion. Adding life to a still image gives a totally different look to my work. Minimalism, is a style I enjoy along side portraiture, fashion & lifestlye photography.I am also inspired by modern Africa. The free-thinking society allows what is considered ‘weird’ as normal. Being different allows us to identify as the select few and show the world who we are.3. What is photography to you and do you recall the first image you took?Photography is a release, a way I show the audience my vision, my story.
The first image I took, was at a Blankets and Wine Concert, trying to get a picture of “Just A Band” performing. Honestly, I had no clue my settings were alright but I was ready to see what would come of it.4. How has social media influenced your growth?Social media has been a huge opening platform for me. It has shown that the world is listening. I’ve been able to meet people with common interests and made friends and colleagues as well.Thoughts on photo credits and theft of contentAppreciation of work is good as it shows respect to the artist. Content theft sucks! People need to consider themselves professionals and prove this with their work. I don’t mind being an inspiration to someone but it seems less appreciative to ‘take someones work’. Be true to yourself.5. Analogue or digital photography and why?I enjoy both. Analogue photography encourages me to compose more before pressing that shutter. It takes a lot before being able to settle on composing but it’s me to think out-of-the-box. I also like how time and mood is created with film. Digital phography has better advantages and allows one to actually get the images there and then and also explore wider in different photography styles. Digital Photography is a stepping stone and is more accessible now as compared to analogue.6. Do you think in single images or stories?Series allow people to show ‘their side’ of a story line. It’s like a journey and one’s goal would be to captivate your audience till the end.
How has this helped you in concept creation?7.What is your relationship with nature and how does it inspire your work?Trees are too cool. (Let’s plant more!)
I love working outdoors as there is a mood that is set when working with nature. I often try to work around tones and color with my images to add character. We all connect more with how everything is set in the world. The envionment is an art piece that we should be a part of.8. Do you express yourself through other mediums?Yes! I am a digital artist and consider my style Pop Art. My canvas has been my computer screen but I recently started doing my prints on apparel. I beleive art can be worn and I would love to share my illustrations.Will you release more products soon?Yes, of course. I’m trying to do more art pieces and exploring more with some doodles to make #magoillustrates move past a memory. Tune in to see more coming your way.9. What have you learnt about yourself through your work?Not to fear expressing oneself, being true to myself and showing people that I’m gifted and it is essential to share this gift.What are you currently working on?I’m trying to work more on my art, consistency and practice which really shows improvment and I hope with time I’ll better my yesterday.10. Wild Outro (advice) -
Vivi Karia
PEOPLE:VIVI KARIA
If you haven’t gotten the chance to meet Vivi Karia, no need to worry as I have you covered. She is outright outstanding with her thoughts, vision, design and execution. Vivi Karia is pretty much the closest you will ever get to Rihanna in Nairobi. We discussed how she views fashion in Nairobi, her clothing brand and more.
1. Wild Intro
I’ll be 23 this year. Though hard to describe my skill, I majorly took interest in drawing stick figures when I was 8, but now I’ve moved on to doodling. My dad inspired me and I became more conscious about fashion and style when I turned 13, this is when I paid more attention to what people wore in music videos & teen shows.2. What has inspired your aesthetic as both a curator and designer?Street style inspires me because there are no rules on how to dress, there’s an openness and rawness where you can always play with whatever comes to mind so I like to combine it with high fashion.3. Do you view your brand as rebellious considering that it depicts a sensual aspect?Not really, maybe other people do, but I’m very open minded & like to talk about things that are not so polite, especially through images.Do you feel the need to be relatable?Yes, as a person outside the clothes that I make. I’m always worried that people don’t understand where I’m coming from. Because if you have that sexual vibe people don’t view it as art but box you & sexualize you like “She’d be so good to take to bed”.4. Does consumer reaction pressure you to release more products?No, I like pushing my products beyond boundaries in terms of reach & sales too and generally, I take my time when I release a product because I want to perfect it.And what is the downside of production?The fear that you’ll put all your money into an idea & have it not come out as you pictured it or poor reception from consumers.5. With the new wave of designers, have you considered being more intricate to define your brand?Yes & No. Yes because I like standing out & also the more intricate I am with my ideas the more it is for guys to copy.I know I’m unique and I don’t think anyone would share the same vision.What do you consider when choosing an individual to head a new campaign/collection?I look for intricate physiques, weird looking people & those that are comfortable with themselves.6.What are you currently working on?7. Does the term creative have any significance to you and why?No, I don’t appreciate the terms designer, creative, artist, as there’s a huge saturation in Nairobi. I like to do my thing & if you are feeling it then that’s great.8. What is your biggest disappointment in Nairobi fashion and what are you doing about it?First the hype! People wear Supreme t-shirts & ripped jeans & feel like they are entitled or that they are influencers. That’s not what street style is about! Second, it’s the oversaturation of the idea of blogging, if you combine these two, its just bad!It’s hard to do something impactful about it, partly because, we are still a young city when it comes to streetwear but I always try to stir such conversations when I’m with my friends.9. Thoughts on high fashion and streetwear collaborations.Best one so farThe Louis Vuitton X Supreme collection hands down! People expected a crazy collabo but these are the biggest brands in both high fashion & street wear & they did what they knew best, showcased simplicity in their vision.10. Wild Outro (advice)For the collaboration -
Amy Muhoro
Images courtesy of Amy Muhoro + Darina Anstis
PEOPLE :AMY MUHORO
On the first feature of our new section:People, I’d like to invite you to join me in an intimate conversation I had with Amy Muhoro, better known as Amyvisuals, a young self taught female Photographer based in East Africa. I met Amy back in 2014 and she has served as the biggest inspiration to me. Though elusive to taking images of herself, she quite often tells captivating visual narratives.
We discussed how she started off, a bit of her aesthetic, creative process and more.
1. Wild Intro
I am a 20 year old visual artist, born and bred in Kenya-Nairobi.I got interested in photography late 2013, which is when I first got onto Instagram and became fascinated by that particular art of taking photos after following a couple of cool local and international photographers.Progressively over the years, I wanted to challenge myself and do more and that’s how I now became interested in filming, cause it’s more or less the same thing as photography, only that it involves a lot more planning and concentration when executing. You can’t really throw a filter on it and expect things to turn out alright like in photos haha!2. Describe your aesthetic and what inspires it.(Laughs) So I’ve heard people say it’s ‘bold’ and full of deep and moody tones and colors, which I kinda agree with.But, from the beginning it was more about expressing my emotions; what I was feeling inside.I’d say it’s basically how I see the world through my eyes; Learning to notice and enjoy the beauty in everything and everyone.3. What drew you to shooting and can you remember the first photograph you took?Funny enough, I think the first photograph I ever took wasn’t of a person but of a flower in our backyard and I became fascinated by the capturing of essence of an object. And I just continued from there. Soon enough, I began shooting portraits of my family and friends. Most of the time the pictures failed miserably, I had no knowledge on composition or camera settings but I was determined to learn.4.How do you work out a concept for a project?I have a mood board for every image or video that you get to see. I get lots of different works from different artists, revise them, study their forms and composition all in a trial to come up with my own. I know they say there’s nothing new under the sun but I really try to ensure my work is as ‘authentically me as possible’.5. What do you think you translate through your images?Again, always emotion. How I’d like to see the world through my eyes.You need some sadness, some joy or some wonder? I’m your girl haha.6. Are there any other mediums you use to express yourself?I am an indoor musician, I like to relax on the piano, but only recreationally, I decided not to pursue a career in it. It’s more of my happy place, where I come back to reflect and refresh my thoughts.I also have a small collection of few collages that I make (if it even counts, haha). It’s just a new fun medium of expression that I’m trying out. I don’t want to pursue a career in that either.7. What have you learnt about yourself through your work?My art has saved my life multiple times, so it’s very personal for me.What I mean by this is that, by doing what I do, I’m able to grow myself positively; financially & especially mentally; I’ve had a lot of battles with anxiety in the past and working on visuals just gives me the peace and clarity I need.8. How has social media influenced your growth?Well yes, mildly.Apps like Instagram are how I even discovered my craft in the first place, and helped me connect with like minded people who I began collaborating and even became close friends with.For me, there are lots of positive thought growers on social media. From musicians like Solange who charms you with her weird inspiring aesthetics to Rihanna who just makes you not wanna give a f#%$ about what other people think of you. These people, they slowly start to have an effect on who you are, and encourage you to be bigger; Bigger than life, like they already are. And I think that’s really cool.But, I also frequently take time off social media as well, because I don’t wanna turn into one more of society’s zombies. I feel like there’s too much pressure to be who we’re not and that’s just against everything I stand for, so I don’t wanna get caught up in all that ‘societal expectations mambo jumbo.’Any Amyvisuals’ wannabe experiences?Lots of them.It’s cool to see that more youth want to get into visual arts scene and all. Yes, I’m happy that I inspire some of them, but I think there’s a line between discovering what you were meant to be and trying to be someone else. You’re not going to be your best authentic self if you are busy copying someone else. Have faith in yourself. A little faith can go a long way, and I am proof of that.9. How has the new wave of photographers helped you identify as ‘different’?Am I different? haha yeah I guess I probably am.I think it’s probably cause I see most people are doing the same thing, over and over. Like I said, there’s nothing new under the sun, but I would just like to express myself in MY own way as best I can.But at the end of the day, I’m happy that WE EXIST and I’m glad we’re breaking that stigma of how being a Kenyan artist isn’t a ‘real career’ and you have to get a ‘real job’ eventually by becoming a doctor, lawyer or whatever…you know the highly praised careers by parents. But no, that’s just people’s opinions.You can be anything you wanna be, you just have to want it bad enough.10. Wild OutroAlways be yourself.We hear a lot of successful people say this but I don’t think we pay much attention to it.Trust me, they are right.You will only excel in life by living out YOUR purpose. This can only happen by being yourself; by being the BEST version of yourself.Below are links to some of the videos Amy Muhoro has worked on, kindly have a look : -
WILD INTRO
Tell Me About Yourself
If anything, this must be the worst question I have ever had to encounter as an introvert, but no one would believe that I am one, given that my social media platform has gained traction for quite a while now and so the world assumes I am social. Half the time I lack talking points while on the other hand, I prefer getting lost in my thoughts, visualizing them… ‘she’ is always aloof. Why? Well, I don’t appreciate being in touch with reality since our world is so painful to look at and be a part of, I am talking about the greed for power, money, acknowledgement etc. Then why not survive on a fantasy and focus on not being wiped out and turning into a memory?
I am a 21 year old artist (Wild_Child) from the capital, Nairobi, Kenya. Well, some would prefer the term creative but I wouldn’t want to be labelled since my art is all that matters than who I am. It’s more about the impact and inspiration that follows my craft that makes me want to be acknowledged as an artist. I however categorize my art to be experimental since I learn and discover new things almost everyday. What I do? Sometimes I don’t even know ha! But I could say that I am an aspiring creative director set out to make you trip balls over the simple things in life that are regularly ignored.
My collective, though not official, try to address our daily lives by simply envisioning various series according to a specific theme, be it duality, gender fluidity, contrast etc and try to tell a visual narrative through images and hopefully into short films much later. But that’s the artist, that’s not who I am.
Hi! I am Alexis Nereah and I am struggling not to disappear 🙂
Photography + Make Up : Nyokabi Mwaura
Accessories : Indigene
Muse : Randy Gowon + Alexis Nereah