Read Start Journal Issue No 002 Feb ´08 in pdf-format

Table of contents Issue 002

• Free Expression: Rantings of a mad man. By Henry Mzili Mujunga
• Cover Story: The Van Gogh of Africa and other global misunderstandings: Inside EASTAFAB 2007 -The East Africa Art Biennale.
• Poetic Justice
• Workethic: The Story of SEGAH
• Technique: Striding into history
• International art: Art $ells. By Anne-Liese Prem
• Art for change. By Catherine Meyer

Editorial foreword

Welcome to the second issue of START, Kampala’s first and only critical journal of arts and culture. The response to our first issue was overwhelming: Within the first two weeks, readers had snatched up the entire first run and we are still getting requests for more copies. Contrary to some predictions, there is a clear appetite among Ugandans for a new kind of publication, one that contains the sort of thoughtful information and criticism we are providing on the START continues to stay afloat in these early days thanks to our visionary sponsors, advertisers and contributing writers. We’d like to extend a special thanks to them and encourage others to contribute to this unique voice in Uganda in whatever way you can. Keep the dream alive!emerging arts scene in East Africa.

In the second issue, we explore the vital—and sometimes uneasy relationship between the arts and the commercial world. Artist and writer Henry Mzili Mujunga returns as our chief correspondent, exploring the recent rash of “biennales” and other art festivals in Africa and around the globe that have, in a desperate search for approval from the arts establishment, looked suspiciously similar. Mzili also profiles Segah, the rising Ugandan sculptor with a refreshing work ethic and takes us behind the scenes for the making of The Stride, the sculpture commissioned for last year’s CHOGM extravaganza. Anne- Liese Prem looks at the trend on the international art scene of works fetching staggering sums and the struggle to bring funding to our local arts scene. And finally, Catherine Meyer writes about how the arts in Uganda are giving something back to communities.

START continues to stay afloat in these early days thanks to our visionary sponsors, advertisers and contributing writers. We’d like to extend a special thanks to them and encourage others to contribute to this unique voice in Uganda in whatever way you can. Keep the dream alive!