William Kentridge — a remarkably versatile artist whose evocative vision combines the political with the poetic, while combining elements of visual and performative arts — brought a troupe of more than 50 performers for a two-week residency culminating in a work-in-progress performance of The Head & The Load — which deals with subjects as sobering as apartheid, colonialism, and totalitarianism. Kentridge’s highly personal work is often imbued with lyrical undertones in his critical examination of aspects of his native South African society. For more information about The Head & The Load please click, here.

A separately-ticketed discussion between William Kentridge and the Harvard cultural historian, critical theorist, and expert on Colonialism, Homi K. Bhabha took place Friday, May 4, at 4pm.

The Head & The Load
William Kentridge, Concept & Director
Philip Miller, Composer
Thuthuka Sibisi, Co-composer / Music Director
Catherine Meyburgh, Video Design
Janus Fouché, Video Design
Žana Marović, Video Design
Gregory Maqoma, Choreography
Greta Goiris, Costume Design
Sabine Theunissen, Set Designer
Urs Schönebaum, Lighting Design
Luc De Wit, Assistant Director
Mark Grey, Sound Design

PERFORMED AND CREATED BY
Ayanda Eleki, Julia Zenzie Burnham, Mhlaba Buthelezi, Thulani Chauke, Luc De Wit, Hamilton Dlamini, Xolani Dlamini, Joanna Dudley, Lungile Halam, N’faly Kouyate, Grace Magubane, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Tlale Makhene, Ncokwane Lydia Manyama, Gregory Maqoma, Ann Masina, Tshegofatso Moeng, Mapule Moloi, Bham Ntabeni, Vincenzo Pasquariello, Mncedisi Shabangu, Sipho Seroto, Lindokuhle Thabede, and The Knights.

COMMISSIONED BY
Park Avenue Armory and 14—18 NOW, the UK’s arts program for the First World War Centenary, and Ruhrtriennale. With additional commissioning funds provided by the Holland Festival and with the kind assistance of Marian Goodman Gallery, Goodman Gallery and Lia Rumma.

Produced by THE OFFICE performing arts + film: Rachel Chanoff, Laurie Cearley, Olli Chanoff, Lynn Koek, Noah Bashevkin, Catherine DeGennaro, Diane Eber.

In association with Quaternaire.

Principal support for The Head & The Load is provided by Brenda R. Potter, Daniel R. Lewis and the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation with lead funding from Alessia Bulgari and Agnes Gund. Major support is provided by the JKW Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional support is provided by Cynthia Reed and Christian and Anna-Louise Rode.