Let us try for once not to be right
The Head & the Load is about Africa and Africans in the First World War, that is to say about the contradictions and paradoxes of colonialism that were heated and compressed by the circumstances of the war. It is about historical incomprehension (and inaudibility and invisibility). The colonial logic towards the black participants could be summed up as, ‘Lest their actions merit recognition, their deeds must not be recorded.’ The Head & the Load aims to recognise and record those deeds.
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+ Credits
The Head & the Load
Music composed and conceived by Philip Miller
First performed July 11-15, 2018 at the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London.
CREATIVE TEAM
Concept and Director
William Kentridge
Composer
Philip Miller
Co-composer and Music Director
Thuthuka Sibisi
Projection Design
Catherine Meyburgh
Choreography
Gregory Maqoma
Costume Design
Greta Goiris
Set Design
Sabine Theunissen
Lighting Design
Urs Schönebaum and Georg Veit
Sound Design
Mark Grey
Video Editing and Compositing
Janus Fouché, Žana Marović and Catherine Meyburgh
Associate Director
Luc De Wit
Studio Technical Director
Chris Waldo de Wet
Video Orchestrator
Kim Gunning
Cinematography
Duško Marović
Orchestration
Michael Atkinson and Philip Miller
SUPPORT
The Head & The Load is co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Commissions, Park Avenue Armory, Ruhrtriennale, Yale Schwarzman Center and MASS MoCA with additional support from Holland Festival.
The Head & The Load acknowledges the kind assistance of Marian Goodman Gallery, Goodman Gallery and Lia Rumma Gallery in this project.
Lead support for the development of The Head & the Load has been provided by Brenda R. Potter, Daniel R. Lewis, the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation and Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros, with further support from Alessia Bulgari, Agnes Gund and Wendy Fisher. Additional support has been provided by the JKW Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Simeon Bruner, Robert Gold, Sarah McNair, Randal Fippinger, John and Cynthia Reed, Bill & Sako Fisher, Quaternaire and donors who wish to remain anonymous.
PRODUCTION
Executive producer
THE OFFICE performing arts + film Rachel Chanoff, Laurie Cearley, Lynn Koek, Catherine DeGennaro, Noah Bashevkin, Olli Chanoff, Diane Eber, Gabrielle Davenport, & Chloe Golding
Toured in association with Quaternaire, Sarah Ford ADD
Performance history
July 11-15, 2018: Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London, UK
August 9-12, 2018: Ruhrtriennale, Duisburg, Germany
December 4-15, 2018: Park Avenue Armory, New York, USA
May 29-31, 2019: Holland Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY
Actors
Mncedisi Shabangu, Hamilton Dlamini, Nhlanhla Mahlangu and Luc De Wit
Featured Vocalists and Performers
Joanna Dudley, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Ann Masina, Bham Ntabeni, Sipho Seroto, N`Faly Kouyate (kora), Mario Gotoh* (viola), Tlale Makhene (percussion) and Vincenzo Pasquariello (piano)
Dancers
Gregory Maqoma, Julia Zenzie Burnham, Thulani Chauke, Xolani Dlamini, Nhlanhla Mahlangu
Ensamble Vocalists
Mhlaba Buthelezi, Ayanda Eleki, Grace Magubane, Blaise Malaba, Ncokwane Lydia Manyama, Caroline Modiba, Tshegofatso Moeng, Mapule Moloi, Lindokuhle Thabede, Motho Oa Batho, Bulelani Madondile, Lubabalo Velebayi and Eddie Mofokeng
Musicians
Waldo Alexander (violin), Christina Courtin* (violin), Colin Jacobsen* (violin); Eilidh Martin (cello), Caitlin Sullivan* (cello), Caleb van der Swaagh* (cello), Eric Jacobson* (cello); Logan Coale* (bass), Shawn Conley* (bass); Andrew Rehrig* (flute), Myles Roberts (flute), Alex Sopp* (flute); Michael P. Atkinson* (French horn), Deepa Goonetilleke (French horn), Laura Weiner* (French horn); Samuel Ewens* (trumpet), Samuel Jones* (trumpet); Bob Couture* (trombone), Richard Harris* (trombone), Nicolas Jones* (trombone), Will Lang* (trombone), Dave Nelson* (trombone), Jon Stokes* (trombone), Benny Vernon* (trombone); Jon Hill* (tuba), Andy Kershaw* (tuba), Andrew Madej* (tuba); Nathan Koci* (accordion), Will Holshouser (accordion); Sam Budish* (percussion), David Stevens* (percussion).
*with members of The Knights chamber orchestra (New York)
The Knights
Artistic Directors Colin Jacobsen / Eric Jacobsen
Executive Director Shruti Adhar
theknightsnyc.com
KABOOM!
2018
3-channel video installation with projection onto miniature stage model for The Head & the Load
HD video, wooden shelf, cardboard floor, paper collage, speakers, BrightSign media players, steel stands, projectors
Approximately 20 minutes
Edition of 4 + 1 Artist’s Proof
Music and sound design
Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi
Video editing
Janus Fouché
Sound editing and mixing
Gavan Eckhart
Technical design and construction
Chris-Waldo de Wet and Jacques van Staden
Vocalists
Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Mncedisi Shabangu, Hamilton Dlamini, Lydia Ncokwane Manyama, Mapule Moloi, Ann Masina, Grace Magubane, Tshegofatso Moeng, Makudupanyane William, Senaoana, Mahlaba Buthelezi, Ayanda Eleki, Bongani Ndhlalane, Lindokuhle Thabede, Bham Ntabeni, Tlale Makhene
Musicians
N’faly Kouyate: vocalist, kora player; Vincenzo Pasquariello: piano; Jill Richards: piano; Merinda Fourie: piano; Waldo Alexander: violin; Kgaugelo Mpyane: viola; Kate White: viola; Tsepo Pooe: cello; Christi-Louise Swanepoel: double bass; Lyle Potgieter: flute and piccolo; Shannon Armer: french horn; Lwanda Gogwana: trumpet; Alex Hitzeroth: trombone and bass trombone; Dan Selsick: trombone; Justin Sasman: tuba; Tlale Makhene: percussion; Riaan van Rensburg: percussion
“Kélénin tanta ye” composed by N’faly Koute
“Liebeslied” by Fritz Kreisler
“Einleitung”, Opus 37 by Paul Hindemith
Prisoners of World War 1 recordings courtesy of Laut Archiv, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Musicians recorded at Howard Audio
Additional recordings by Michele Greco
Making
This reconstruction of ideas suggests there was a clarity of thinking from the beginning. But this clarity only arises when the project is finished. The work in process was much less coherent, and deliberately so. We needed to be led not only by books and texts. There was a loose gathering of possibilities to see how different fragments could talk to each other. There was traditional research at the Imperial War Museum: photos, letters, copies of military instructions. In different archives there was a search for African oral histories of the War (there were remarkably few of them that we could track down). We were looking both for the broad strokes, the broad shapes of what happened, but also for surprising thoughts, for particular turns of phrase; for the idiosyncratic. Looking for riddles with only half-formed answers rather than clear explications.
O sleep, the poor man’s fat
They have milked our goats dry
The pool dried up while I was looking at it
Darkness gossips about no one
Hope causes no shame
God’s opinion is unknown
When a man dies, a man remains
His back is fitted for the burden
The hand never loses its way to the mouth
Darkness has eaten her own child
Hunger makes no man wise
The pool ahead is not to be trusted
The Head & the Load
Processional opera
Performance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryRehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 002Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 003Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 004Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 005Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 006Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William Kentridge The Head and Load performance 007Performance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryPerformance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryPerformance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryPerformance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryPerformance of "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stephanie Berger
Park Ave. ArmoryRehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0013Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0014Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0015Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0016Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0017Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0018Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0019Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0020Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0021Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0022Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0023Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0024Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0025Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0026Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0027Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0028Rehearsals for "The Head & the Load", Park Avenue Armory, New York, December 2018
Photo: Stella Olivier
William_Kentridge_The_Head_and_Load_performance_0029
KABOOM!
Projection onto miniature stage model for The Head & the Load
Excerpt from complete film
More
- Drawing for The Head & the Load (Tondo I)2018Collage of drawings, printed text and red pencil on paper148 cm (Diameter)
WK_18_185_Drawing_7329 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Fallen Figures)2018Charcoal, red pencil and digital print on paper63 x 280 cm
WK_18_194_1544 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (The Graves That Were Not Marked)2018Paper collage of charcoal, digital print and red pencil on found ledger pages30 x 33 cm
WK_18_187_Drawing_H_L_9056 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Pool with Reeds)2018Charcoal and red pencil on paper128 x 152 cm
WK_19_200_Drawing_8062 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Mountainous Lanscape with Palms)2018Charcoal, red pencil and pastel on paper42 x 480 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7248 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Mountainous Lanscape with Palms)2018Charcoal, red pencil and pastel on paper42 x 480 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7256 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Mountainous Lanscape with Palms)2018Charcoal, red pencil and pastel on paper42 x 480 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7267 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (God's Opinion is Unknown)2018Charcoal, pastel and red pencil on paper100 x 160 cm
WK_18_199_8017 - The Pool Ahead2018Charcoal and red pencil on paper100 x 160 cm
WK_18_187_Drawing_H_L_9047 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Hot Metal and Bloody Knives)2018Charcaol and red pencil oh paper40 x 318 cm
WK_18_199_7922 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Landscape with Trees)2018Charcoal and red pencil on paper40 x 320 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7283 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (O, the Trumpets We Used To Blow)2018Charcoal and red pencil and text on paper101.5 x 78 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7307 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (No. 24 K German East Africa)2018Charcoal and red pencil on paper80 x 121 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7239 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (No. 25 L Portuguese East Africa)2018Charcaol and red pencil oh paper80 x 121 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7236 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (No. 26 M Message Map)2018Charcoal and red pencil on paper
WK_18_185_Drawing_7233 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Telephone Pole)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 67 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8481 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Slave Ship)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages48 x 67 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8499 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Wheel)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 66.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8501 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Flag)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages48 x 67 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8505 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Cannon)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 64,5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8519 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Bandaged Head)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages72.5 x 50 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8540 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Vessel)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages49 x 59 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8543 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Wreck)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 66,5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8558 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Fractured Vessel)2018Paper collage, Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 67 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8561 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Two Heads)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 66.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8573 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Mining Headgear)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages48 x 67 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8596 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Three Heads)2018Indian ink and red pencil on found ledger pages47 x 100 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8599 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Death Register)2018Collage of printed text, red pencil and charcoal on found ledger pages47 x 239 cm
WK_18_197_6419 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Flea)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8611 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Tsetse Fly)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8614 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Bee)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38,5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8617 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Scorpion)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8620 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Mosquito)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8623 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Ant)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8630 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Erased Ant)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found pages27 x 38,5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8633 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Tondo III)2018Charcoal, red pencil and collage of drawings on paper148 cm (Diameter)
WK_18_186_H_L_8401 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Wisdom Killed the Wise Man)2018Collage of printed text, red pencil and charcoal on paper44 x 152.5 cm
WK_18_186_H&L_8417 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Panorama with Trees)2018Collage of printed text, red pencil and charcoal on paper44 x 152.5 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8421 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (L'Impot du Sang)2018Collage of printed text, charcoal, pastel and red pencil on paper40 x 160 cm
WK_18_186_H_L_8448 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Landscape with Waterfall)2018Charcoal, pastel and red pencil on paper100 x 160 cm
WK_18_195_1602 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (House Sparrow)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7125 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Flapping Pigeon)2018Paper collage, charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages32.5 x 35 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7129 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Bird of Prey on Branch)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7132 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Pigeon on Branch)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7136 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Vulture)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7139 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Carrier Pigeon)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7145 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (It is Not True)2018Paper collage, charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages30 x 32.5 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7150 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Pigeon with Head Turned)2018Pigeon with Head Turned28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7153 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Pigeon with Splayed Tail)2018Pigeon with Splayed Tail28 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7155 - The Head & the Load, 2018Processional opera in one act, 1 hour 25 minutesMusic: Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi, Libretto: William KentridgeDirector: William Kentridge, Co-director: Luc De WitPremiere: Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London, 11 July 2018Photo: Stephanie Berger
Head & the Load Performance - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Wagtail)2018Charcoal and red pencil on found ledger pages21 x 31 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7158 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Ruffled Flying Bird)2018Paper collage and charcoal on found ledger pages33 x 32,5 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7164 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Pigeon with Bullet Hole)2018paper collage and charcoal on found ledger pages34 x 33 cm
WK_18_185_Drawing_7168 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (For Lives)2018Paper collage of charcoal, digital print and red pencil on found ledger pages28,5 x 31 cm
WK_18_187_Drawing_H_L_9078 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Our Former Kingdoms)2018Paper collage of charcoal, digital print and red pencil on found ledger pages28.5 x 31 cm
WK_18_187_Drawing_H_L_9069 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Wastage)2018paper collage of charcoal , digital print and red pencil on found ledger pages28 x 30.5 cm
WK_18_187_Drawing_H_L_9061 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (The Pool Ahead Is Not To Be Trusted)2018Charcoal, red pencil and digital print128 x 152 cm
WK_18_194_1536 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Tondo II)2018Charcoal, red pencil and digital print on paper147.5 cm (Diameter)
WK_18_194_1543 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Afrika-Africa-L'Afrique)2018Charcoal, red pencil, digital print and paper collage on paper88.5 x 78.5 cm
WK_18_195_1604 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (10 Portraits)2018Indian ink and collage on paper, acrylic on canvas180 x 340 cm
WK_19_200_Drawing_8090 - Drawing for The Head & the Load (Fall in Silence)2018Charcoal, red pencil and digital text on paper128 x 152 cm
WK_19_200_Drawing_8076 - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
21997Kentridge Kaboom Installation 9 - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
main timeline.mov_snapshot_02.22_[2019.02.10_10.22.06] - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
main timeline.mov_snapshot_05.31_[2019.02.10_10.31.03] - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
main timeline.mov_snapshot_10.04_[2019.02.10_10.33.10] - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
main timeline.mov_snapshot_11.08_[2019.02.10_10.34.20] - KABOOM!2017-18Three channel HD film installation: model stage, paper props, found objects and three mini-projectors with stands18 min 38 secEdition of 4
main timeline.mov_snapshot_11.54_[2019.02.10_10.34.47]
Reading
Credits
The Head & the Load
William Kentridge
Music composed and conceived by Philip Miller
First performed July 11-15, 2018 at the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London.
CREATIVE TEAM
Concept and Director
William Kentridge
Composer
Philip Miller
Co-composer and Music Director
Thuthuka Sibisi
Projection Design
Catherine Meyburgh
Choreography
Gregory Maqoma
Costume Design
Greta Goiris
Set Design
Sabine Theunissen
Lighting Design
Urs Schönebaum and Georg Veit
Sound Design
Mark Grey
Video Editing and Compositing
Janus Fouché, Žana Marović and Catherine Meyburgh
Associate Director
Luc De Wit
Studio Technical Director
Chris Waldo de Wet
Video Orchestrator
Kim Gunning
Cinematography
Duško Marović
Orchestration
Michael Atkinson and Philip Miller
SUPPORT
The Head & The Load is co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Commissions, Park Avenue Armory, Ruhrtriennale, Yale Schwarzman Center and MASS MoCA with additional support from Holland Festival.
The Head & The Load acknowledges the kind assistance of Marian Goodman Gallery, Goodman Gallery and Lia Rumma Gallery in this project.
Lead support for the development of The Head & the Load has been provided by Brenda R. Potter, Daniel R. Lewis, the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation and Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros, with further support from Alessia Bulgari, Agnes Gund and Wendy Fisher. Additional support has been provided by the JKW Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Simeon Bruner, Robert Gold, Sarah McNair, Randal Fippinger, John and Cynthia Reed, Bill & Sako Fisher, Quaternaire and donors who wish to remain anonymous.
PRODUCTION
Executive producer
THE OFFICE performing arts + film Rachel Chanoff, Laurie Cearley, Lynn Koek, Catherine DeGennaro, Noah Bashevkin, Olli Chanoff, Diane Eber, Gabrielle Davenport, & Chloe Golding
Toured in association with Quaternaire, Sarah Ford ADD
Performance history
July 11-15, 2018: Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London, UK
August 9-12, 2018: Ruhrtriennale, Duisburg, Germany
December 4-15, 2018: Park Avenue Armory, New York, USA
May 29-31, 2019: Holland Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands
www.theheadandtheload.com
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY
Actors
Mncedisi Shabangu, Hamilton Dlamini, Nhlanhla Mahlangu and Luc De Wit
Featured Vocalists and Performers
Joanna Dudley, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Ann Masina, Bham Ntabeni, Sipho Seroto, N`Faly Kouyate (kora), Mario Gotoh* (viola), Tlale Makhene (percussion) and Vincenzo Pasquariello (piano)
Dancers
Gregory Maqoma, Julia Zenzie Burnham, Thulani Chauke, Xolani Dlamini, Nhlanhla Mahlangu
Ensamble Vocalists
Mhlaba Buthelezi, Ayanda Eleki, Grace Magubane, Blaise Malaba, Ncokwane Lydia Manyama, Caroline Modiba, Tshegofatso Moeng, Mapule Moloi, Lindokuhle Thabede, Motho Oa Batho, Bulelani Madondile, Lubabalo Velebayi and Eddie Mofokeng
Musicians
Waldo Alexander (violin), Christina Courtin* (violin), Colin Jacobsen* (violin); Eilidh Martin (cello), Caitlin Sullivan* (cello), Caleb van der Swaagh* (cello), Eric Jacobson* (cello); Logan Coale* (bass), Shawn Conley* (bass); Andrew Rehrig* (flute), Myles Roberts (flute), Alex Sopp* (flute); Michael P. Atkinson* (French horn), Deepa Goonetilleke (French horn), Laura Weiner* (French horn); Samuel Ewens* (trumpet), Samuel Jones* (trumpet); Bob Couture* (trombone), Richard Harris* (trombone), Nicolas Jones* (trombone), Will Lang* (trombone), Dave Nelson* (trombone), Jon Stokes* (trombone), Benny Vernon* (trombone); Jon Hill* (tuba), Andy Kershaw* (tuba), Andrew Madej* (tuba); Nathan Koci* (accordion), Will Holshouser (accordion); Sam Budish* (percussion), David Stevens* (percussion).
*with members of The Knights chamber orchestra (New York)
The Knights
Artistic Directors Colin Jacobsen / Eric Jacobsen
Executive Director Shruti Adhar
theknightsnyc.com
KABOOM!
2018
3-channel video installation with projection onto miniature stage model for The Head & the Load
HD video, wooden shelf, cardboard floor, paper collage, speakers, BrightSign media players, steel stands, projectors
Approximately 20 minutes
Edition of 4 + 1 Artist’s Proof
Music and sound design
Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi
Video editing
Janus Fouché
Sound editing and mixing
Gavan Eckhart
Technical design and construction
Chris-Waldo de Wet and Jacques van Staden
Vocalists
Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Mncedisi Shabangu, Hamilton Dlamini, Lydia Ncokwane Manyama, Mapule Moloi, Ann Masina, Grace Magubane, Tshegofatso Moeng, Makudupanyane William, Senaoana, Mahlaba Buthelezi, Ayanda Eleki, Bongani Ndhlalane, Lindokuhle Thabede, Bham Ntabeni, Tlale Makhene
Musicians
N’faly Kouyate: vocalist, kora player; Vincenzo Pasquariello: piano; Jill Richards: piano; Merinda Fourie: piano; Waldo Alexander: violin; Kgaugelo Mpyane: viola; Kate White: viola; Tsepo Pooe: cello; Christi-Louise Swanepoel: double bass; Lyle Potgieter: flute and piccolo; Shannon Armer: french horn; Lwanda Gogwana: trumpet; Alex Hitzeroth: trombone and bass trombone; Dan Selsick: trombone; Justin Sasman: tuba; Tlale Makhene: percussion; Riaan van Rensburg: percussion
“Kélénin tanta ye” composed by N’faly Koute
“Liebeslied” by Fritz Kreisler
“Einleitung”, Opus 37 by Paul Hindemith
Prisoners of World War 1 recordings courtesy of Laut Archiv, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Musicians recorded at Howard Audio
Additional recordings by Michele Greco