by Gerrit Bester
Research showcases often risk becoming dry recitations, filled with jargon and presentations that struggle to connect with everyday audiences. However, this was far from the case at the TUT Faculty of Arts and Design’s Research Showcase on 25 October. Here, staff and students brought their research to life, sharing insights in engaging and accessible ways that captivated all in attendance.
Hello, Dolly!
And making a difference doesn’t have to be complex, just ask Tumisho Mahlase and Waldo Roodt from the Motion Picture Production programme.
The duo introduced a prototype during their presentation, Moving on a Budget: The DIY Eco Dolly & Jib Mount, showcasing an affordable DIY dolly they designed.
In filmmaking terms, a dolly is a wheeled cart or platform used to hold a camera, enabling smooth movement along tracks or on its wheels for dynamic shots. Typically, in South Africa, dollies are associated with high-budget films.
However, Mahlase and Roodt’s device, constructed from inexpensive parts readily available at hardware stores (likely costing no more than R500), enabled them to achieve the same cinematic shots required for top-end productions while allowing students to create their own film accessories at home.
The device caught the attention of patent experts in the audience, and an appointment with the patent office is already on the cards.
Pioneering the female gaze in South African film
Sticking with the Motion Picture Production Programme, seasoned researcher and film expert Prof Anna-Marie Jansen van Vuuren provided a captivating account of celebrated South African filmmaker Katinka Heyns’ illustrious career and influence.
In her presentation, The Female Gaze in South African Feature Films: Katinka Heyns and Her Influence on Contemporary Women Film Directors, she discussed how Heyns transformed the industry as being only the third woman director in history to direct a South African feature film. What makes her notable is that she not only involved more women behind the scenes in key roles, but she also portrayed strong women protagonists driving the storyline in some of her notable films and television productions.
Prof Jansen van Vuuren noted that Heyns has influenced many South African women directors, including Meg Rickards, Hanneke Schutte and René van Rooyen, who feature strong woman protagonists within character-driven feature films. These young film directors also showcase a distinct female perspective in their directing, cinematography and production design, much like Heyns herself.
Staff solidarity
It's always a pleasure to see staff members supporting their colleagues during these events. In this regard, the staff from the Department of Performing Arts deserve special recognition for enthusiastically cheering on their colleagues, who were well-represented in the programme.
Advancing Arts health research
The Department featured several presentations, beginning with Prof Karendra Devroop, who discussed Quantitative Research: A Model for the Arts. He advocated for the importance of quantitative research in the arts, challenging the common perception that the field predominantly relies on qualitative approaches.
He presented case studies from the medical field to illustrate how such studies can contribute to extensive quantitative research in music, particularly at the intersection of music and medicine within the Performing Arts Health cohort.
In one study, he examined the medical issues faced by performing artists due to their instrument use. One significant finding revealed that 76% of professional musicians experienced at least one medical problem that was severe enough to affect their performance.
He proposed a research model for the Performing Arts that considers the prevalence of medical issues among musicians, identifies risk factors, develops preventative strategies and provides education, among other initiatives.
Additionally, Prof Devroop presented a poster titled Cross Examination of Occupational Challenges of Professional Jazz Musicians and the Performance and Practice Routines of College Students Majoring in Jazz.
Empowering communities through music
Another poster presentation with heart that highlighted the transformative power of community music projects was given by Dr Roland Moses, who investigated the psychological and sociological effects of music learning on low-income learners.
His dedicated efforts to teach young learners, particularly at the Nokuphila School in Thembisa, have yielded significant results.
Not only has it improved learners’ academic performance and enhanced their cognitive abilities, but it has also fostered community cohesion.
Dr Moses taught himself to play the piano by participating in the church band and he had his first formal lesson at 17, which was when his parents could finally afford private lessons.
As a Yamaha artist – a title awarded to critically acclaimed musicians in their respective fields – his project now includes international support from top-level Yamaha representatives.
Additionally, Dr Moses donates all the proceeds of his CD sales to benefit the project.
Theatre as healing medium
A Performing Arts staff member who needs no introduction is Prof Janine Lewis, who presented a retrospective of the numerous theatre pieces she has designed, devised and directed over more than twenty years.
In her presentation, titled Female Archetypes and Abuse Fractals: A Retrospective of Lewis' Warping (Re)Conceptual Theatre Making, she explored how performance and theatre can serve as healing experiences for both visceral performers and responsive spectators, particularly in raising awareness about social issues, such as abuse.
One audience member aptly asked, "When is the next production?"
Prof Lewis, whose work is deeply rooted in collaboration and often turns theatre making on its head, responded that she would continue to create explorations of abuse and feminine archetypes in her work – not out of choice, but out of necessity and a desire for disruptive activism and healing.
Rituals in theatre performance
Performing Arts lecturer Gifter Ngobeni illuminated the theme of rituals and the challenges they present for theatre-making in his presentation titled Go-itata: Ritualised Theatre Performance Modes of Koma Aesthetics in a Performance as Research Production: Wela.
Ngobeni discussed the process of incorporating ritual elements from the South African BaPedi male initiation into an artistic performance called Wela, a Pedi term meaning "to cross over." He asserted that rituals serve as a foundation for interpreting universal aspects of human behaviour and may form the basis of theatrical expression.
However, he noted that ritual is fundamentally different from theatre, and when removed from its original context and intent, it loses its integrity and purpose, leaving theatre makers struggling to effectively present explicit ritual elements as performance.
Nevertheless, he added that post-dramatic performers have re-embraced the idea that their bodies can serve as tools that "speak" and provide new expressive interpretations of ritual aesthetics for the stage.
Transforming policies into actions
The topic Addressing Gender-Based Violence in South African Universities Through Design-Led Research was presented by the Head of the Department of Interior Design, Inge Newport, which also forms the focus of her doctoral studies.
Newport highlighted that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a significant issue in universities nationwide. Since 2020, there has been an emphasis on creating policies in post-school education to tackle this problem; however, she noted, these policies have not significantly reduced incidents of GBV. While these policies advocate for supportive environments through awareness and prevention programmes, they often lack clear implementation strategies.
Her presentation examined how a design-focused approach can help interpret these policies and create the necessary structures within the built environment to facilitate action. It underscored that while policies outline goals and visions, designers work on the practical details needed to effect real change. The presentation discussed the steps and methods employed to translate policy into action through design principles and collaborative participation.
Graphic heritage and design were central themes in the presentations by Dr Yolandi Burger and Schalk van Staden from the Department of Visual Communication.
Names, places and impact
In her talk titled Named After Nelson: Tracing the Threads of Graphic Heritage in Gauteng, South Africa, Dr Burger highlighted that places named after prominent figures like Nelson Mandela symbolise their significant contributions and values, offering insights into their lives and impact on society.
She explored the concept of "graphic heritage," which entails understanding not only the physical locations but also the deeper meanings that people associate with them. Conducted in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the research examined six locations named after Mandela in Gauteng. These sites aim to honour Mandela’s legacy and foster discussions about social issues.
Using photographs and an analysis of the connections between names and emotions tied to these places, her research illustrates how Mandela’s influence is intricately woven into the history and sentiments linked to these locations.
She concluded that a closer examination of graphic heritage enhances our understanding of the stories embedded in design and place names.
Everyday experiences shape design
Van Staden’s presentation, titled Constructivist Grounded Theory: A Guide to Explore the Philosophy of Design and the Everyday, examined how modernist ideas influence design and the role of designers in our daily lives, arguing that design often overlooks its modernist foundations.
He discussed how everyday experiences are shaped by concepts such as cosmopolitanism and cosmopolitics, which help us comprehend our shared world. The presentation explored how our daily interactions with people, environments and objects impact design choices, referencing philosophers like Latour, Sloterdijk, Boltanski and Lefebvre, who investigate how social life relates to these concepts.
Ultimately, the presentation advocated for a human-centred approach to design, emphasising the value of a specific research method. It also introduced a five-step plan for studying the connection between design and everyday life, aimed at enhancing design understanding and practices.
This presentation forms part of Van Staden’s doctoral studies.
Human creativity versus AI
Last but not least on the programme was Prof Chats Devroop, a research professor at the Faculty, who candidly explored The Role of Human Creativity in Music in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This research emphasised the critical importance of human creativity in music education, particularly considering the rise of AI technologies.
While AI can enhance personalised learning and automate certain tasks, the study argues that human creativity is essential for fostering deep musical understanding, emotional connections and innovative thinking in students.
His presentation examined how human creativity can adapt to various learning styles, provide empathetic support and inspire enthusiasm for music. The research also compared human and machine creativity in terms of thought processes, adaptability and cultural implications, highlighting the risks of over-reliance on AI, such as diminished personal connections and the reinforcement of biases.
Prof Devroop advocated for a balanced approach that utilises AI for routine tasks while prioritising human creativity in areas of teaching that require interpretation, expression and critical thinking.
Overall, he promoted the idea of nurturing human creativity while effectively incorporating technology into music education.
Emerging voices in research
The future of research at the Faculty looks bright, showcased by the young research cohort Thabiso Mothise, Nthabiseng Motsepe-Notyesi, Nceba Mgojo, Lebogang Lebethe, Nasiphi Magaba, Sibonelo Mchunu, Tshepang Tshabadira and Simo Mdletshe, all postgraduate Performing Arts students.
For many, it was their first-time presenting research.
In their poster presentations, Mothise explored the learning experiences of Pentecostal church musicians, while Motsepe-Notyesi and Mgojo focused on improving jazz vocal pedagogy and performance, as well as TUT music students' perceptions of AI in the jazz industry.
Lebethe, Magaba, Mchunu, Mdletshe and Tshabadira led a panel discussion on performance as research, emphasising the journey towards creative identity-making.
Collaborative synergies
A golden thread woven throughout the presentations of the day is the intersections among various disciplines and the exciting opportunities they create for research collaboration.
Waldo Roodt and Tumisho Mahlase from the Motion Picture Production programme explaining their DIY Eco Dolly & Jib Mount.
The Faculty of Arts and Design held its Research Showcase on 25 October. Staff and students brought their research to life, sharing insights in engaging and accessible ways that captivated everyone in attendance.
PHOTOS: Siphamandla Dlamini