New magazines offer adrenaline, art

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Distributed locally by On the Dot, the South African edition of F1 will mainly be based on the international content and will feature a column by Sasha Martinengo. The first edition will be available on 20 March 2012.

Published in 25 editions, over 18 languages and distributed in more than 75 countries, the magazine defines the market and fuels the passion of almost four million readers each month. "We believe that it will be a winning formula and we are thrilled to be able to add the brand to our portfolio," said Chris Mcgirr, commercial manager: Magazines at On the Dot.

For more, go to www.onthedot.co.za.

Arts expand in interest

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The brainchild of Ashraf Johaardien, head of UJ Arts & Culture, the launch edition of Art Much? is currently available as a free eBook and will be available as a free print copy from 16 March 2012.

According to national arts festival director Ismail Mahomed, who is also featured in the magazine, "This is phenomenal, a publication like this is long overdue."

This issue features articles by arts personalities Michelle Constant, Gerard Robinson and Renette Bouwer, amongst others; the recent Tunkie Dance Award recipient Gladys Aghulas and the tenth anniversary of the Artscape New Writing Programme in Cape Town.

Award-winning playwright, Pieter Jacobs announces his latest play in an interview with Precious Maputle and Moira de Swardt reviews the UJ dance production Alice Who?, directed and choreographed by Owen Lonzar.

Growing momentum

The magazine is also an indicator of the growing momentum of the arts at UJ. Under Johaardien's leadership, the department will produce and present 10 visual arts exhibitions, 10 classical and jazz concerts and more than 15 full-scale productions during the coming year - an increase of nearly 300% in terms of output in performing arts at UJ, compared to previous years.

"I am keenly aware that we practice our craft within a very specific context and community," says Johaardien. "For me, the magazine format presents a compelling and engaging platform for articulating our planned arts programme at UJ because it invites and allows for a range of voices in the arts to sketch the context both against which and within which we produce and present our work. I also hope that it will ultimately become a forum for the meaningful discussion of and reflection on arts and culture practise within South Africa."

To download the free publication go to www.uj.ac.za/arts.