Music into Ink
Lulu is one of the great operas of the 20th Century, written by Alban Berg in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s and left incomplete, in the orchestration, at his death. It is an opera about the fragility, the impossibility, the fragmentation of desire. It’s about Lulu, who during the course of the opera goes through many lovers and several husbands and each time, there is an impossibility. Lulu can’t be the woman that the men imagine her to be or project onto her. She can never fulfil the desires of being the femme fatale and the faithful quiet wife.
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+ Credits
Lulu
Composer
Alban Berg
Librettist
Frank Wedekind
Director
William Kentridge
Co-director
Luc de Wit
Projection designer
Catherine Meyburgh
Set designer
Sabine Theunissen
Costume designer
Greta Goiris
Lighting designer
Urs Schönebaum
Approx. 3 hours 22 minutes
Right Into Her Arms
2016
Kinetic model theatre with projected images, drawings and props
HD video, software and circuitry, electronic components, wood, steel, cardboard, found paper and found objects
300 x 244 x 125 cm
Running time 11 minutes
Video editing and construction
Janus Fouché
Software design
Janus Fouché
Model theatre design
Christoff Wolmarans
Mechanical design
Chris-Waldo de Wet
Scenography
Sabine Theunissen
Performers
Luc De Wit
Joanna Dudley
Dada Masilo
Music
Kurt Schwitters, Ursonate, performed by William Kentridge
Das gibts nur einmal performed by Zarah Leander
Anton Webern, Stück für Klavier, im Tempo eines Menuetts, performed by Hayk Melikyan
James Kok, Und die ganze Welt spricht von Nanette, performed by James Kok Tanz Orchestra
Arnold Schönberg, Mahnung (Brettl-Lieder), performed by Burcu Kurt (soprano) and Karlheinz Donauer (piano)
Making
Ink is the primary medium of the production. Sometimes, ink drawings translated into woodcuts or linocuts but essentially the vehemence of a black brushstroke trying to find some equivalent visually to the violence of the opera in the marks and the way they are used. It is almost as if ink becomes the black blood that is spilt throughout the production.
The set has to work in two ways. It has to work as the receiver of the projections but it also has to work as a theatrical space of the different rooms: the artist’s studio, the garret in London, the gaming room in Paris, Dr Schön’s house. And so the furniture and the flats and the walls have to both have an Art Deco attention-to-detail and finish in material and also work in a way that they can reflect the projected images.
Opera
Lulu is a nasty opera. Each time one hopes for a redemptive moment in one or another character, one’s hopes are dashed. When one thinks that Lulu is finally going to release herself into voluptuous love, she says to Alva, who has declared his love for her as he buries his head in her breasts, “Isn’t this the sofa where your father bled to death?” One of the wonders of the opera is our complicity as audience in Alva’s response: “It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter, I want to stay in this moment.”
"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_001"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_002"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_003"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_004"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_005"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_006"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_007"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_008"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_009"Lulu" premiere at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015
Photo: Ken Howard
William_Kentridge_lulu_opera_gallery_010
Right Into Her Arms


Painter: Would you mind just lifting your skirt a little?
Lulu: Like this?
Painter: If I may…
Lulu: Behave yourself!
Painter: Let me gently…
Lulu: No thank you!
Painter: Don’t be so tense.
Lulu: Please keep your hands to yourself.
More
- 1912 Portrait2017Bronze40 x 35 x 30 cm
IMG_6745 - Lulu & Schön2017Lithograph from 2 stones printed on 300 gm Velin d' Arches paper44 x 42 cmEdition of 40
Kentridge grafik_C5A4327 - Act III Scene I2017Linocut on paper with hand-colouring44.5 x 39.5 cmEdition of 10
WK_17_179_prints_Lulu_Salzburg benefit_9948 - Act III Scene III2017Linocut on paper with hand-colouring43.2 x 58.5 cmEdition of 20
WK_17_179_prints _Lulu _benefit_combined_9970 - The Dancers2017Linocut and hand-painting on BFK Reeves Velin 300 gsm89 x 121 cmEdition of
WK_17_178_Madrid-Catalogue_9809 - Four Figures2017Linocut and chine colle on BFK Reeves Velin 300 gsm108 x 173 cmEdition of
WK_17_178_Madrid-Catalogue_9804 - Act III Scene II2017Linocut on paper with hand-colouringEdition of 60
WK_17_179_prints_Lulu_Artthrob_benefit_9980 - Untitled (World Without Weight)2016Carved wood39 x 31 x 22 cm
WK_small_Sculpture_9813 - Untitled (By Which is Meant)2016Carved wood38.5 x 41 x 31 cm
_MG_9790 - Untitled (The Most Comfortable Chair)2016Carved wood46 x 33.5 x 24 cm
_MG_9794 - Untitled (Slow Feet Hold Their Ground)2016Carved wood54 x 20 x 34 cm
_MG_9801 - Untitled (A Burning Clarity Gone)2016Carved wood40 x 47 x 18 cm
_MG_9826 - Untitled (Tummelplatz)2016Carved wood53 x 37 x 16 cm
_MG_9830 - Lulu2016Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm34 x 29 cmEdition of 30
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9841 - Alban2016Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm34 x 29 cmEdition of 30 - 30/30
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9839 - Lulu2016Linocut with hand painting on Hahnemuhle 300gm42 x 45.5 cmEdition of 18
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9849 - Countess Geschwitz2016Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm59.3 x 42.8 cmEdition of 18 - 18/18
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9855 - Lulu2016Linocut with hand painting on Hahnemühle 300 gsm52 x 52,5 cmEdition of 10
WK - Portrait Lulu on Her Side - Tiger2016Linocut with hand painting on Hahnemühle 300 gsm52 x 53 cmEdition of 10
WK - Tiger Print - Gramophone2016Linocut with hand painting on Hahnemühle 300 gsm70 x 52.5 cmEdition of 10
WK - Gramaphone Print - Reclining Figure with Cat2016Linocut with hand painting on Hahnemühle 300 gsm, copper plate warm76.5 x 97 cmEdition of
WK - Reclining Figure with Cat - Right Into Her Arms2016Kinetic model theatre with HD video projections, 300 x 244 x 125 cm11 minutesEdition of 4
_MG_5856 - Right Into Her Arms2016Kinetic model theatre with HD video projections, 300 x 244 x 125 cm11 minutesEdition of 4
_MG_5860 - Right Into Her Arms2016Kinetic model theatre with HD video projections, 300 x 244 x 125 cm11 minutesEdition of 4
_MG_5877 - Right Into Her Arms2016Kinetic model theatre with HD video projections, 300 x 244 x 125 cm11 minutesEdition of 4
_MG_5886 - Right Into Her Arms2016Kinetic model theatre with HD video projections, 300 x 244 x 125 cm11 minutesEdition of 4
_MG_5827 - Right Into Her Arms2016Model theatre with projected images, drawings and propsHD video, software and circuitry, electronic components, wood, steel, cardboard, found paper and found objects . Running Time 11 minutes300 x 244 x 125 cmEdition of 4
_MG_5841 - Akarova2015Linocut63 x 49 cmEdition of 40
WK_15_134_LULU_Linocuts_9097 - Her Shadow2015Linocut63 x 49 cmEdition of 40
WK_15_134_LULU_Linocuts_9095 - Berg2015Drypoint on Hahnemühle 300 gsm43 x 43 cmEdition of 6
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9851 - Alban 42015Etching on Hahnemühle 300 gsm38 x 31 cmEdition of 8
WK- Berg Etching - Lulu (hand coloured)2015Etching with hand-colouring on Hahnemuhle 300gm38 x 31 cmEdition of 8
WK - Lulu Hand Coloured - Alban 32015Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm38 x 31 cmEdition of 8
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9845 - Anne2015Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm43 x 43 cmEdition of 8
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9853 - Alban (hand coloured)2015Etching with hand-colouring on Hahnemuhle 300gm38 x 31 cmEdition of
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9832 - Alban 3+42015Etching on Hahnemuhle 300gm38 x 31 cmEdition of 6
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9843 - Lulu 1+22015Etching & Drypoint on Hahnemühle 300 gsm38 x 31 cmEdition of 6
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9837 - Lulu 22015Drypoint on Hahnemühle 300 gsm38 x 31 cmEdition of 8
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9835 - Alban 22015Etching on Hahnemühle 300 gsm38 x 31 cmEdition of 8
WK_16_152_Rome Additional_9847 - Jack2015Linocut49 x 63 cmEdition of 40
WK_15_134_LULU_Linocuts_9103 - Lulu2015Linocut63 x 49 cmEdition of 40
WK_15_134_LULU_Linocuts_9101 - Splash 12015Linocut48.5 x 35 cmEdition of 8
WK_15_138_Prints_Lulu_splashes_7440 - Splash 22015Linocut48.5 x 35 cmEdition of 8
WK_15_138_Prints_Lulu_splashes_7442 - Splash 32015Linocut48.5 x 35 cmEdition of 8
WK_15_138_Prints_Lulu_splashes_7444 - Untitled (Lulu Undressing II)2015Collage of Indian Ink drawing on Shorter Oxford English Dictionary pages, mounted on Vélin d’Arches106 x 160 cm
WK_15_132_0415_GG_BASEL_2587 - Untitled (Alban Berg)2015Indian ink and charcoal on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages66 x 72 cm
WK_15_125_LULU_Draw_3012 - Untitled (Rorschach 1)2015Indian ink on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages27 x 39.5 cm
7785_WK_15_126_LULU_3096 - Untitled (Rorschach 2)2015Indian Ink and charcoal on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 – 195027 x 39.5 cm
7787_WK_15_126_LULU_3100 - Untitled (Rorschach 3)2015Indian ink on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages27 x 39.5 cm
7790_WK_15_126_LULU_3090 - Untitled (Rorschach 4)2015Indian ink on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages27 x 39.5 cm
7791_WK_15_126_LULU_3104 - Untitled (Rorschach 5)2015Indian Ink and charcoal on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 – 195027 x 39.5 cm
7792_WK_15_126_LULU_3102 - Untitled (Prison)2015Indian ink, charcoal and typex on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages48.5 x 73.5 cm
WK_15_125_LULU_Draw_2993 - Untitield (Gramaphone and Tea Cup)2015Indian ink, charcoal and typex on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages (check typex ??)53 x 57 cm
WK_15_125_LULU_Draw_2976 - Untitled (Stage Set)2015Indian ink , white-out and red pencil on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages65.5 x 98.5 cm
WK_15_127_LULU_9197 - Untitled (Lulu Undressing I)2015Collage of Indian Ink drawing on Shorter Oxford English Dictionary pages, mounted on Vélin d’Arches106 x 160 cm
WK_15_132_0415_GG_BASEL_2561 - Untitled (Building with Columns)201552 x 49.5 cm
WK_15_125_LULU_Draw_3174 - Untitled (Dancing Figure)201527 x 44 cm
WK_15_129_LULU_0001 - Untitled (Figure Dancing on Floor)201527 x 22 cm
WK_15_129_LULU_9970 - Untitled (Man Gasping)201555 x 62 cm
FM8103_WK_15_130_0415_LULU_2291 - Untitled (Three Portraits)2015Indian ink on Shorter Oxford dictionary pages108 x 206 cm
WK_15_124_Drawing_7530 copy - Untitled (Man with Hat)201462 x 47 cm
64659 - Untitled (Man with Hat)201462 x 47 cm
WK_15_129_LULU_9935 - Untitled (Lulu)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages53 x 52 cm
WK - Slain Lulu - Untitled (Corner Building)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages52 x 70 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0441 - Untitled (Fan)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pageswhite out added later CD 15-12554 x 50 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0362 - Untitled (Figure with Mask and Glove)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages78 x 35 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0416 - Untitled (Woman with Necklace)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages76 x 52 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0435 - Untitled (Flowers in Vase with Gramophone)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages76 x 55 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0431 - Untitled (General)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages74 x 60 cm
WK_15_129_LULU_9927 - Untitled (Sigmund Freud)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages71 x 52 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0433 - Untitled (Crowd II)2014Indian ink and charcoal on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages53.7 x 80.6 cm
WK - Lulu Crowd II - Untitled (Crowd I)2014Indian ink and charcoal on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages53.7 x 68.9 cm
WK - Lulu Crowd I - Untitled (Man with Camera)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages66 x 48 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0437 - Untitled (Still Life with Flower and Glasses)2014Indian ink, charcoal and digital print on Shorter Oxford Dictionary pages101 x 71 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0423 - Untitled (Ink Splash I)201427 x 53 cm
WK_14_119_Draw_2748 - Untitled (Lulu in Jail)2014Indian ink on dictionary pages
17463_8396_William Kentridge drawing145 - Untitled (Reclining Tiger)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195044 x 77.5 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0279 - Untitled (Chimpanzee)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195027 x 34 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0901 - Untitled (Man with Moustache and Glasses)2013Indian Ink and red pencil on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195048 x 35.5 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0302 - Untitled (Monkey)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195027 x 54 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0263 - Untitled (Crocodile)2013Indian Ink and red pencil on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195027 x 36 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0271 - Untitled (Bear Walking)2013Indian Ink and red pencil on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195036.5 X 48 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0328 - Untitled (Man in Top Hat)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195051 x 37 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0306 - Untitled (Large Man)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195051 x 26 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0304 - Untitled (Female Portrait)201368 x 48 cm
WK_LULU_14_115_0464 - Untitled (Camel Head)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195052 x 44 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0267 - Drawing for Lulu (Dr Schön)2013Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 1950
WK_15_124_Drawing_7543 copy - Untitled (Ink Splash II)201327 x 49 cm
WK_14_119_Draw_2750 - Untitled (Man in Doorway)2012Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195052 x 35 cm
62441 - Untitled (Doorway and Stairs)2012Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195027 x 70 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0283 - Untitled (Electrola)2012Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195052 x 64 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0876 - Untitled (Jack the Ripper)2012Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195036 x 51 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0251 - Untitled (Reclining Nude)2012Indian Ink on pages from various Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, Third Edition Revised and Edited by C.T. Onions 1930 - 195065 x 80 cm
WK_LULU_05_2013_0889
Credits
Lulu
Composer
Alban Berg
Librettist
Frank Wedekind
Director
William Kentridge
Co-director
Luc de Wit
Projection designer
Catherine Meyburgh
Set designer
Sabine Theunissen
Costume designer
Greta Goiris
Lighting designer
Urs Schönebaum
Approx. 3 hours 54 minutes
World premiere
Opera House, Zurich, 1937 (unfinished version); Théâtre National de l’opéra, Paris, 1979 (three-act version)
This production
Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam, June 2015; Metropolitan Opera, New York, November 2015; English National Opera, London, November 2016.
Right Into Her Arms
2016
Kinetic model theatre with projected images, drawings and props
HD video, software and circuitry, electronic components, wood, steel, cardboard, found paper and found objects
300 x 244 x 125 cm
Running time 11 minutes
Video editing and construction
Janus Fouché
Software design
Janus Fouché
Model theatre design
Christoff Wolmarans
Mechanical design
Chris-Waldo de Wet
Scenography
Sabine Theunissen
Performers
Luc De Wit
Joanna Dudley
Dada Masilo
Music
Kurt Schwitters, Ursonate, performed by William Kentridge
Das gibts nur einmal performed by Zarah Leander
Anton Webern, Stück für Klavier, im Tempo eines Menuetts, performed by Hayk Melikyan
James Kok, Und die ganze Welt spricht von Nanette, performed by James Kok Tanz Orchestra
Arnold Schönberg, Mahnung (Brettl-Lieder), performed by Burcu Kurt (soprano) and Karlheinz Donauer (piano)