A still from the video
FAKA’s From A Distance
The Latest From The South African Performance Duo
The purpose of any medium is to provide agency for a larger idea. In this technologic age, video and sound are (maybe) the most popular agents to further illustrate an artist’s vision. FAKA is the brainchild of South African performance artists Thato Ramaisa (Fela Gucci) and Buyani Duma (Desire Marea). This week, they’ve shared a new music video titled From A Distance, which is an ode to Brenda Fassie’s fierce rendition of Bette Midler’s corny classic. Concentrating on the issues that surround the black queer body, FAKA says, “We wish to create a dialogue that transcends the bounds of queer activist rhetoric,” and in doing so, From A Distance serves as what they call a “Gqom-Gospel lamentation for dick,” and also what I am calling the next best thing.
“We regard this as an ongoing performance celebrating the third world aesthetics that often do not have the space to be validated on a large scale in contemporary creative culture. Even within the supposed progressive art world there is a classicism that excludes this demographic.”
The performance, which is presented on Youtube, is described as FAKA in their truest form. “Living our complex existence in ways that transcend all the artifacts we adorn, distancing with no restrain and no apology. We feel that there is an exclusion of a certain demographic of valid voices and expressions due to lack of resources, specifically Black/African voices who could strongly contribute to the progression of global culture.” FAKA says this video is their way of stepping into their place in the world, and so be it. The performance is genuine feel good energy from start to finish. Packed with familiar angles and an entrancing chant, Gucci and Marea do their fucking thing from beginning to end, not to mention they’re wearing looks we will probably see on the runways two seasons from now. These boys are ahead of the curve! You want everything, you better serve everything!
