The teaser trailer for Die Antwoord’s new album Ten$ion has been pulled from the internet after copyright concerns over an anti-apartheid sculpture, the Cape Times reported on Tuesday.
Martin Heller, a lawyer for resistance artist Jane Alexander, told the newspaper that a video by the band had referred to her sculpture, The Butcher Boys, without the necessary consent.
“Ms Alexander does not intend to limit her work’s interpretation, and she does not seek to interfere with other artists’ work,” he was quoted as saying.
“In this case, however, Ms Alexander is concerned that Die Antwoord’s use of her work and its context might be publicly perceived as reflecting her own artistic intention. In creating the work, Ms Alexander referred to the dehumanising forces of apartheid.”
The short video was released about three weeks ago to promote the rappers’ new album Ten$ion, which was released a week ago.
Brutal dehumanising forces
The video features Die Antwoord’s Yo-landi Vi$$er and Sixteen, her seven-year-old daughter with band mate Ninja, as goblin-like creatures.
Alexander’s The Butcher Boys depicts three life-size, human-like beasts, with powdery skin, black eyes and horns, seated on a wooden bench. It was created by Alexander in 1985 and 1986 to represent the brutal dehumanising forces of apartheid in South Africa.
Heller said he had taken the necessary steps to stop the video’s distribution.
“Die Antwoord has acknowledged Ms Alexander’s concerns. We are in contact with Die Antwoord’s attorneys about a settling agreement.”
The Butcher Boys is housed in the Iziko South African Museum. — Sapa