Choreographer Faustin Linyekula and artist William Kentridge have been appointed as associate artists for the Holland Festival in 2019. The two will be responsible for shaping the festival’s artistic programme for a single edition.
The joint appointment comes after the festival’s current artistic director, Ruth Mackenzie, announced she would be leaving in June 2018. After initially attempting to recruit a full-time replacement, Holland Festival instead decided to opt for a new artist-led approach where the festival would make short-term appointments.
“As an artist driven festival, this set-up will allow the Holland Festival to be up-to-date with what is going on in performing arts as well as in the world in general,” read a statement released by the festival. “At the same time, it will put the spotlight on two acclaimed artists, presenting and coproducing their art, giving the audiences access to their sources of inspiration and fascinations as well as the context in which they create their work.”
Congolese Faustin Linyekula is known for creating works that address the legacy of war in his native country. His notable pieces include Le Festival des Mensonges (2005), Sans-titre (2009) and La création du monde (2012).
Kentridge, meanwhile, is acclaimed all over the world for his stage directing and distinctive animations. The South African’s opera productions include Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Shostakovich’s The Nose, and Alban Berg’s Lulu, while The Refusal of Time (2012) and More Sweetly Play the Dance (2015) are among his installations.
General director Annet Lekkerkerker commented: “I am delighted that both artists have agreed to commit to the Holland Festival, as are the festival’s curators Annemieke Keurentjes (dance and theatre) and Jochem Valkenburg (music and music theatre). We all look forward to the collaboration.”