Foto’s van Jefferson Tshabalala en Jolyn Phillips: verskaf
By die eerste Toyota US Woordfees Kunstenaarsweek (6–11 April) kry 70 topkunstenaars uit ’n verskeidenheid dissiplines die geleentheid om hul vaardighede, idees en konsepte te verfyn onder leiding van agt vooraanstaande fasiliteerders: die teatermakers Andrew Buckland, Gcina Mhlophe, Mmatumisang Motsisi, Sylvaine Strike en Jefferson Tshabalala, die danser-choreograwe Gregory Maqoma en Alfred Hinkel, en die digter en verhoogkunstenaar Jolyn Phillips.
Gedurende die slypskoolprogram sal die gekeurde kunstenaars deelneem aan ’n reeks van werkswinkels waarin hulle projekkonsepte in samewerking met die ander deelnemers en dissiplines sal ontwikkel. Hierdie nuwe konsepte sal aan die einde van die Kunstenaarsweek as kort vertonings in onkonvensionele ruimtes in die Stellenbosch-middedorp aangebied word. Met dié Flikker & Flash-opwipvertonings wil die Woordfees ruimtes wat tans leegstaan, met lig en kuns vul en nuwe lewe blaas in ’n dorp wat swaar deur die pandemie en die gepaardgaande verlies aan koopkrag en toerisme getref is.
Die Flikker & Flash-vertonings sal op Vrydag en Saterdag, 9 en 10 April, plaasvind, maar kunstenaars sal vanaf Donderdag, 8 April, in die dorp reeds met voorbereidings doenig wees.
Op Vrydag, 9 April, sal ’n poësie- en musiekaand van 18:30 – 21:30 aangebied word. Op Saterdag, 10 April, tussen 18:00 en 22:30, sal besoekers uit ’n wye verskeidenheid van kort vertonings (5-15 minute elk) kan kies met ’n orreluitvoering in die Moederkerk ter afsluiting van die feestelikhede. Stellenbosch Wine Routes sal ook op dié Saterdag tussen 16:00 en 18:00 ’n Straatsoiree aanbied.
Toeskouerkapasiteit sal beperk word en alle geldende Covid-protokolle sal streng nagevolg word, maar alle vertonings sal gratis wees. Besoekers sal skenkings via SnapScan aan die Tribuo-fonds kan maak. Tribuo bied finansiële ondersteuning aan uitvoerende kunstenaars wat tans geen, of beperkte inkomste, as gevolg van die pandemie het: https://www.tribuo.co.za/tribuo-fonds/
Die volgende kunstenaars is vir die Kunstenaarsweek gekies en die meeste van hierdie toptalente sal ook aan die Flikker & Flash-opwipvertonings deelneem (name in alfabetiese volgorde volgens voornaam):
Andi Colombo, Anele Kose, Antoinette Kellermann, Anton Krueger, Bianca Oosthuizen, Bruce Geza, Busisiwe Mahlangu, Candice Lynn Williams, Carin Bester, Chester Marthinus, Cintaine Schutte, Danneline Anne Ramsden, Dara Beth Kometz, Enrico Ricardo Hartzenberg, Faroll Coetzee, Faye Kabali-Kagwa, Fiona du Plooy, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Inez Robertson, Ira Blanckenberg, Jacques Batista, Jane Mamotse Mpholo, Jefferson J. Dirks-Korkee, Jerome Rex, Kanya Viljoen, Lauren Dasappa, Lee Fortuin (Chase Lutron), Lee Sophia Piedt, Lehlohonolo Justice Makhele, Lisa Derryn Overy, Lolwethu Promise Sdumo, Lorin Sookool, Lukhanyiso Skosana, Luna Paige, Malizo Mdekazi, Margo Kotze, Marí Borstlap, Marinda du Toit, Melissa Myburgh, Nasfa Ncanywa, Neels van Jaarsveld, Nicole Holm, Nomathamsanqa (Thami) Baba, Peggy Zinziswa Mongoato, Philip Rademeyer, Phulusho Khwiyane, Phumlani Life Mndebele, Robert Hindley, Roxanne Abigail De Freitas, Shihaam Domingo, Sinethemba Bibi, Sonya Helena Rademeyer, Stephanie Gericke, Suzaan Keyter, Tertius Meintjes, Toni Morkel, Tony Bentel, Trude Gunther, Tyaleni Ernest Balene, Vangile ZamaZiyeka Gantsho, Veronique Jephtas, Wessel Pretorius, Whaden Johannes, Wian Taljaard, Wilken Calitz, Wolf Britz, Yaseen Manuel en Zanne Stapelberg.
Die Toyota US Woordfees Flikker & Flash word moontlik gemaak deur die ondersteuning van Toyota, die Universiteit Stellenbosch, NATi, kykNET, Tribuo en plaaslike vennote – Stellenbosch Wine Routes en Visit Stellenbosch, wat goedgunstiglik akkommodasie teen afslagpryse aan die besoekende kunstenaars verskaf.
Leslie van Rooi, Direkteur: Sosiale Impak en Transformasie aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch, sê: “Die US is verheug dat ons by kan dra om hierdie inisiatief te laat realiseer. Ons verstaan dit as deel van ons sosiale impak om kunstenaars in hierdie tyd spesifiek te ondersteun om nuut en verder te dink oor die realiteit van Covid-19 en daarna. Só bevestig die US ook sy vertroue in die werksaamhede van die Toyota US Woordfees en hou die universiteit aan om te belê in die toekomsmoontlikhede van die fees. Dit sal ook gewoon lekker wees om die uitvoerende kunste te kan beleef en vier saam met die groter dorpsgemeenskap van Stellenbosch.”
Ook vir Cornelia Faasen, uitvoerende hoof van NATi (Nasionale Afrikaanse Teaterinisiatief), is die element van gemeenskap van kardinale belang: “NATi is veskriklik bevoorreg en trots daarop om by hierdie innoverende idee van die Toyota US Woordfees betrokke te wees. Dit is presies wat ons gemeenskap nou nodig het: gemeenskap. Die wonderlike vooruitsig van die kunstenaarsweek is ook die kruisbestuiwing wat gaan plaasvind tussen verskillende groeperinge in die kunstenaarslandskap. As daar een goeie ding uit Covid gekom het, is dit die feit dat hierdie arbitrêre kleur- en taalgrense wat ons in aparte silo’s laat optree het, skielik nie meer bestaan nie. Daar is nou net een kunstenaarsgemeenskap en ons praat die taal van die kunste. Ons praat die taal van die teater en musiek en die geskrewe woord en dans en visuele kuns. Digitale en virtuele teater het ons verlam (en ’n paar broodnodige lesse geleer) maar vernuwende projekte soos die Kunstenaarsweek hervestig ons fokus weer op die heel belangrikste element in die ekosisteem: die kunstenaar en sy gemeensaamheid met sy medekunstenaars. 2021 is ongelukkig nog nie ’n jaar vir die terugkeer na die teater met grootse produksies en massiewe begrotings nie. Ons dink nou kreatief aan maniere om onsself uit te daag om te skep en te dink en met hernieude energie terug te keer na die teater. Want die mense gaan ons nodig hê.”
Leo Smit, Senior bestuurder – bemarking: kykNET-kanale en -inhoud, wys op die interafhanklikheid tussen TV en film en die uitvoerende kunste: “Hierdie projek dra by tot die koestering en beskerming van die wyer vermaaklikheids-ekosisteem waarvan teaters en kunstefeeste ’n uiters belangrike en groot deel vorm. Dit is nou meer as ooit belangrik om hande te vat met ons feesvennote en nuwe inisiatiewe te ondersteun.”
Saartjie Botha, direkteur van die Toyota US Woordfees, beklemtoon die rol van kunstenaars as denkleiers in troebel tye: “Die plaaslike uitvoerende kunste is in ’n krisis soos nog nooit te vore nie. Covid, swak leierskap en ’n gebrek aan artistieke visie op nasionale vlak laat die uitvoerende kunste by ’n dooiepunt. Om te oorleef moet ons nou anders dink, en wie beter om die “anders dink” te lei as juis kunstenaars. Ons hoop enersyds dat kunstenaars die week bevestiging van hulle kunstenaarskap en die waarde daarvan sal ervaar, maar ook dat die Stellenbosse gemeenskap opnuut sal besef dat die kunste en kultuur ons dorp ’n interessanter en beter plek maak om in te bly.”
Die optreeruimtes en ’n program sal teen 6 April op al die Woordfees se digitale platforms bekend gemaak word. Hou ons op sosiale media dop en teken onderaan ons tuisblad in op die Woordfeesnuusbrief om op datum te bly met die jongste feesnuus: https://www.woordfees.co.za/afr/
Join us as we Flikker & Flash through the streets of Stellenbosch
At the first Toyota SU Woordfees Artists Week (6-11 April) 70 top artists from across a variety of disciplines will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills, ideas and concepts under the mentorship of eight leading facilitators: theatre makers Andrew Buckland, Gcina Mhlophe, Mmatumisang Motsisi, Sylvaine Strike and Jefferson Tshabalala, dancer-choreographers Gregory Maqoma and Alfred Hinkel and the poet and performance artist Jolyn Phillips.
During the week-long programme, the selected artists will participate in a series of workshops where they will develop their own project concepts in collaboration with other participants and in different disciplines. These new concepts will be presented at the end of Artists’ Week as short performances in unconventional spaces in the middle of Stellenbosch. Through these Flikker & Flash pop-up performances the Woordfees hopes to revitalise some of the empty spaces in the central town, with light and art and to bring a breath of celebration to a town that has experienced extreme difficulty during the pandemic.
The Flikker & Flash performances will take place on Friday and Saturday, 9 and 10 April, although artists will already be visible in the town from Thursday, 8 April, as they prepare for the performances.
On Friday, 9 April, a poetry and music evening will take place from 18:30 - 21:30. On Saturday, 10 April, between 18:00 and 22:30, visitors will be able to choose from a wide variety of short performances (5-15 minutes each). The evening will end with a festive organ recital at the Moederkerk. On the Saturday, between 16:00 en 18:00, Stellenbosch Wine Routes will also host a Street Soiree.
Performances are free, but audience capacity will be limited. All Covid protocols will be followed strictly. Visitors will be able to donate to the Tribuo Fund via Snapscan. Tribuo provides financial assistance to performing artists who are unable to find, or who have only found limited work, as a result of the pandemic.
The following artists have been selected for the Artists’ Week and the majority of them will be seen in the Flikker & Flash pop-up performances (in alphabetical order according to first names):
Andi Colombo, Anele Kose, Antoinette Kellermann, Anton Krueger, Bianca Oosthuizen, Bruce Geza, Busisiwe Mahlangu, Candice Lynn Williams, Carin Bester, Chester Marthinus, Cintaine Schutte, Danneline Anne Ramsden, Dara Beth Kometz, Enrico Ricardo Hartzenberg, Faroll Coetzee, Faye Kabali-Kagwa, Fiona du Plooy, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Inez Robertson, Ira Blanckenberg, Jacques Batista, Jane Mamotse Mpholo, Jefferson J. Dirks-Korkee, Jerome Rex, Kanya Viljoen, Lauren Dasappa, Lee Fortuin (Chase Lutron), Lee Sophia Piedt, Lehlohonolo Justice Makhele, Lisa Derryn Overy, Lolwethu Promise Sdumo, Lorin Sookool, Lukhanyiso Skosana, Luna Paige, Malizo Mdekazi, Margo Kotze, Marí Borstlap, Marinda du Toit, Melissa Myburgh, Nasfa Ncanywa, Neels van Jaarsveld, Nicole Holm, Nomathamsanqa (Thami) Baba, Peggy Zinziswa Mongoato, Philip Rademeyer, Phulusho Khwiyane, Phumlani Life Mndebele, Robert Hindley, Roxanne Abigail De Freitas, Shihaam Domingo, Sinethemba Bibi, Sonya Helena Rademeyer, Stephanie Gericke, Suzaan Keyter, Tertius Meintjes, Toni Morkel, Tony Bentel, Trude Gunther, Tyaleni Ernest Balene, Vangile ZamaZiyeka Gantsho, Veronique Jephtas, Wessel Pretorius, Whaden Johannes, Wian Taljaard, Wilken Calitz, Wolf Britz, Yaseen Manuel en Zanne Stapelberg.
The Toyota SU Woordfees Flikker and Flash is made possible by the support of Toyota, Stellenbosch University, NATi, kykNET, Tribuo and local partners – Stellenbosch Wine Routes and Visit Stellenbosch, who are providing accommodation to artists at drastically reduced rates.
Leslie van Rooi, Director: Social Impact and Transformation at Stellenbosch University remarked: “At Stellenbosch University, we are delighted to be able to contribute to the realisation of this initiative. We believe that it is an important part of our social impact to be able to support artists at this time as they grapple with the realities of Covid-19 and its aftermath. This is also how SU demonstrates support of its continuing collaboration with the Toyota SU Woordfees and invests in the future possibilities for the festival. It will also be a particular pleasure to experience and celebrate the performing arts with the greater Stellenbosch community.”
For Cornelia Faasen, CEO of NATi (National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative), the element of community is also of cardinal importance: “NATi is incredibly privileged and proud to be part of this innovative Toyota SU Woordfees event. It is exactly what our community needs right now: community. The cross-pollination between disciplines that is going to happen during this week is also going to give rise to wonderful creativity. If there is perhaps one good thing that has come about as a result of Covid, it is that the arbitrary colour and language borders that have kept us performing and working in silos, have suddenly disappeared. We have one artists’ community, and we all talk the same language, that of the arts. We speak the language of theatre and music and the written word and dance and the visual arts. Digital and virtual theatre paralyzed us (and taught us a few well-learned lessons), and projects that promise renewal of the creative spirit, such as the Artists Week, bring into focus the most important element of the ecosystem: the artists and their commonality with fellow artists. Unfortunately, 2021 is not the year in which we return to a theatrical landscape of big productions and massive budgets. This is the time when we have to challenge ourselves to think differently and creatively about how we return to theatre and to find a renewed energy for doing so. Because people are going to need us.”
Leo Smit, Senior Manager – Marketing: kykNET Channels & Content, stressed the interdependence of TV and film and the performing arts: “This project contributes to nurturing and protection of the bigger entertainment ecosystem of which theatres and the arts festivals are big and important components. Now, more than ever, it is important to take hands with our festival partners and to support new initiatives.”
Saartjie Botha, Director of the Toyota SU Woordfees, stresses the role of artists as thought leaders in troubled times: “The local performing arts are in a crisis like never before. Covid, poor leadership and a lack of artistic vision on a national level have left the arts in the lurch. To survive we need to think differently, and who better to lead us into different ways of thinking than artists.
On the one hand, we hope that artists will be validated during the Artists Week, but also that the
Stellenbosch community will be warmly reminded that arts and culture make our town a more interesting and better place to live in.”
The performance spaces and a programme will be available from 6 April on all the Woordfees digital platforms. Keep an eye on our social media and sign up for the Woordfees newsletter at the bottom of our webpage to stay up to date with festival news: https://www.woordfees.co.za/eng/
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