Since Su Tomesen has been artist-in-residence at The Bag Factory in Johannesburg for three months in 2010, she got to know the city quite well. This residency was supported by the National Arts Council South Africa.
In November 2017, Tomesen filmed the episode Street in Johannesburg, South Africa, partially in CBD (Central Business District), in Melville and partially in the township Soweto. Together with the other films, Street also documents the striking similarities in the way people operate in a globalized world. To transport their merchandise, vendors frequently use a pram chassis or a shopping trolley from the mall; salesmen and -women draw attention with sounds and jingles; plastic chairs and stools are everywhere. The attention vendors spend on presenting their merchandise is the same in all the cities. Like in Tirana, there is a practice called same time photo in Johannesburg: men walking around with digital cameras and portable printers to offer passers-by an instant high-quality photo of themselves.
Filming: SU TOMESEN, JAMES THOMAS
Editing, color correction: FYNN ROOVERS
Editing supervisor: VAVA STOJADINOVIC
Producers on location: JURGEN MEEKEL, JAMES THOMAS, NEVILLE DUBE, TUMI MOKGOPE
Sound mix: BOBAN BAJIC
Filming: SU TOMESEN, JAMES THOMAS
Editing, color correction: FYNN ROOVERS
Editing supervisor: VAVA STOJADINOVIC
Producers on location: JURGEN MEEKEL, JAMES THOMAS, NEVILLE DUBE, TUMI MOKGOPE
Sound mix: BOBAN BAJIC
Mondriaan Fonds and Tijl Fonds generously supported the realisation of the film Street and the video installation Street vendors. Sylt Foundation hosted Su Tomesen in Johannesburg. Check the film plan (in Dutch)
COMING UP: Street is part of the four channel video installation Street vendors: Medellín, Tirana, Johannesburg, Yogyakarta (2018). The installation is having its world premiere at the 38th edition of the Netherlands Film Festival 2018 in Utrecht. The work is exhibited at the venue JK24 at Janskerkhof 24, Friday September 28 until Thursday October 4, from 12 PM until 10 PM. After its premiere in Utrecht Street vendors: Medellín, Tirana, Johannesburg, Yogyakarta is part of BIG ART, October 11 till 14, Bijlmerbajes in Amsterdam.
