64 Photographic Exhibition Photography is an accessible format for young artists, and it is exciting to see how they adapt and visualise ideas through the camera lens. The photographs spoke to their intrigue in the world around them, both natural and man-made. Visually fascinating locations and beautiful detail set the winners apart this year. Entrants embraced the diverse themes and explored these categories in many ways. The new ‘fashion’ category inspired interesting studio portraits. Kim Thunder inspired the budding photographers who attended the opening and the anecdotes of his early photography years encouraged students to not abandon their passion, but to continue pursuing their creative goals. This is such a wonderful opportunity for students from around KZN to be involved in as they are given the chance to have their photographs exhibited in glossy prints. Mrs Joanne Hicks Teacher in Charge Drama@Kearsney Following on from the incredible success of last year’s new format for Drama@Kearsney, this year the festival was delighted to host actor and comedian James Cairns as our resident facilitator. Cairns is a writer, actor and facilitator with a penchant for comedic acting and, given his skills in this field, we enlisted his services to facilitate the work-shopping of comedic scenes with participants. Participants from all over the province were placed in groups consisting of students from various schools. Together they embarked on a two-day work-shopping experience culminating in the performing of their comedy scenes on the final evening of the festival. Cairns focused on developing a more thorough and formulaic approach to creating comedy scenes and the resulting performances were an absolute delight. From awkward family dinners revolving around the ‘S’ word, to odd job interviews at a nuclear power station, the scenes were varied, witty and full of humour. The nature of the two days resulted in many new friendships being made with cross-cultural exchanges being celebrated through laughter. In a world where the serious and the tragic get the limelight, it was wonderful to see the youth of this province relishing the lighter and happier side of life. Mrs Emi l y Stoc ki l-Smi th Teacher in Charge Words@Kearsney This year we combined Words@Kearsney with the photographic competition and hosted the poets in the Long Room. The photographic display was an excellent addition and it heightened the cultural atmosphere of the evening. It is so rewarding to see how enthusiastically other schools are embracing the spoken-word art form and we hosted thirty-two participants this year. This year’s poetry showed remarkable maturity and insight into the lives of the teenager as poets approached issues of identity and anxiety as well as social expectation with sensitivity and understanding. Beautiful performances were delivered by boys and girls illustrating the ubiquitous nature of teenage angst and insecurity. There were also lighter pieces which allowed the audience to engage with some universal truths and have a good laugh at the folly of man. This is the fifth year that we have held Words@ Kearsney and it is with a tinge of sadness that we bid farewell to the Matric boys who have performed each year since the evenings inception: Loyiso Mabude, Andrew Watt, Zibu Zulu and Khaya Mhlongo have been stalwarts and have delivered original and noteworthy pieces since Grade 8. It will seem strange hosting next year’s event without them, but I hope they continue to compose pieces and speak out. Mrs Jane Curtiss Teacher in Charge Cultural activities and clubs
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