#24: Lehlogonolo Carol Khaas (studioKHAAS)
This week we are joined by spatial practitioner & artist, Carol Khaas, who tells us more about cycling everyday, One Park, FEDE Arthouse & their upcoming group exhibition, and more!
Lehlogonolo Carol Khaas is a spatial practitioner and artist, operating as a designer and liaison for SMAC Gallery Cape Town. They’re currently busy with production and consulting on a group show for ‘FEDE Arthouse’ exhibiting from this weekend, as well as working on a small body of work. Carol is a supremely talented architect and artist working on their practice under ‘studioKHAAS’ and also forms part of the 2022 cohort of Design Indaba Emerging Creatives.
We welcome them to The FRM Newsletter to share what they've been into recently.
🚴💯 Cycling everyday everyday
It’s becoming everyone’s favourite thing again, just in time for the summertime. It's healthy, it’s efficient and it’s environmentally friendly. I also have it quite easy living in such a cyclable city.
🥂🌀 One Park – for good vibe and drinks
Restaurant by Mishka Mohamed and Matt Hichens hidden in a little nook just off Kloof Street, they opened the restaurant at the beginning of this year and it’s gotten raving reviews from the jump. Their menu changes constantly, but the concept of reimagining traditional Capetonian/Cape Malay/South African food in a way that’s modern & authentic, is always present. They recently opened up the bar up stairs, that also serves as residency for ‘The Other Radio’. The vibes are giving “cool, grown and sexy” – well considered, lax and diverse. Lord knows CPT needs more of that.
🎣🍟 Fish and Chips summer diet
I just think this may be a good way to eat light and keep it somewhat healthy, if you’re looking to have an active summer in the coast. And I mean not everyday, but for like twice a week or so. Perfect amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat for energy and balance – if you’re into that typa thing.
I think the art scene especially here in CPT has always sort of thrived in the social context but honestly – since the end of 2021 it has become so much more open and diverse in terms of collaboration and the sort of things it can branch out into. Is it us… entering the scene? Lol probably. But also the resurgence of life after heavy lockdown I guess. A lot of us had to a lot say after all that, and I like most of the ways we’re manifesting and expressing ourselves and the things around us. ‘FEDE Arthouse’ is now moulding itself as an art collective with the types of shows and events we’re looking into. I think it has a powerful presence because of the type of people involved and all revolving around it – young artists on the rise, artists that ARE THE MOMENT, big artists, designers, creatives, accountants lol? Everybody, everywhere. Just a big Youth moment in South Africa right now – and we’re right there in the mix, live and direct! I’m just excited about the future of the art scene for the youth, we have ‘tangible’ role models now – Bonolo, Trevor, Thebe… a whole variety of artists killing it in their respective mediums. I just hope we can find a balance between constructive criticism & shining a light on everything that looks shiny. Let’s focus.
🧛🏻🎬 Wednesday (2022) on Netflix
I started watching it on a Wednesday lol, and honestly I can’t get enough. Netflix is known for their high school-themed series – some being really good and others just completely terrible. I think the cast here is really good, and I especially love that they casted the original Wednesday, Christina Ricci, even as a somewhat lowkey character. I need shows to go back to being 27 episodes long per season, episodes don’t have to be an hour long but we need more content, please?
👚🌈 What are we wearing this summer?
Idk, personally I keep it simple. Fitted vests, mini skirts, crewneck tops, cropped tees, sporty shorts or classic slacks, crew socks, loafers/mules/slides/sambas. A crewneck sweater or light leather jacket for some nights. The real chat is Brands. Let’s keep it real and keep it local, people are producing some of the best items and garments in the world right now… we just need the money lol.