Window to human experience
International Elements
The National Arts Festival partnered with the ICA and presented the provocation “Dance Dumile Feni” to four accomplished performing artists: Zimbabwean born, Brooklyn based Nora Chipaumire; 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Performance Art Chumasopotela; British-rwandan Dorotheemanyaneza and Ivorian Nadia Beugré.
With the support of Pro Helvetia, Swiss artist Mats Staub, will present Death And Birth In My Life which invites the audience to listen in on a series of intimate conversations about the most moving and challenging experiences in life. This latest of his long-term projects asks after participants’ existential experiences. NAF audiences can also contribute, tapping into universal human experiences in this time of isolation.
In collaboration with IFAS (Institut Francais, South Africa), Afropolitan Comics: From South Africa To The Continent, images in conversation is an online exhibition which aims to present a conversation between South African comics and comics from other African countries. It showcases the work of 16 artists, including Loyisomkize and Luke Molver from South Africa, as well as Algerian artist Samir
Toudji (aka Togui) and Cameroonian artist Reinedibussi.
Presented in partnership with the Goethe Institut, Women In Aeroplanes is a multifaceted, multi-local and research-based project which has had several iterations since 2017. It aims “to get a more comprehensive idea of the notions of independence and interdependence which allows us to see and understand a women-informed, shattered presence of complicated dependencies.” Curated by Annett Busch, Marie-hélène Gutberlet, Magdalena Lipska and the Otolith Collective, The Presence Of Absent Books, a series of short voice notes about missing booksis narrated by Isabel Hofmeyr, Sarah Nuttall, Mapulemohulatsi, Tinashemushakavanhu and Connie Joseph.
Experiments in Storytelling
Makhanda’s own Professor Anton Krueger’s playful, interactive, live Zoom show explores the nature of Mindfulness in The Voice In Your Head. At times a performance, at other times a game, the experience is a commentary on the nature of performance itself.
Juliet Jenkin presents Woolworths, an epic satirical radio play on middle-class South Africa. Previously staged at the National
Arts Festival, and elsewhere to resounding applause and a fair amount of wincing, this digital version tells you everything you didn’t know you knew about the bourgeoisie. Experience middle class white angst, from the comfort of your own home.
Pfuta Pfuta is a curious case of extra-terrestrial manifestations in Zimbabwe. On September 16, 1994, nearly 60 children at Ariel Primary School in Ruwa Zimbabwe claimed to have witnessed the landing of an unidentified flying object (UFO) whilst on their morning break. The children stated that they interacted with a creature that emerged from the UFO. This creature is believed to have been Mathos Pfumao, Zimbabwe’s greatest Shona sculptor.
An exploration of the sonic, visual, spiritual and social aspects of director Joshua Chuindiza’s Chewa, Shona and Nguni heritage. In a VNAF partnership with Distell, audiences will get a taste of the Distell National Scriptwriting competition winner, Amy Wilson’s work. This year the VNAF also presents Twist Theatre’s annual Novel-script Project which brings together writers from a range of Sub-saharan African countries. Assitej’s In the Works project supports new playwrights focusing on youth and young adult audiences.
Opening a window into the creative interpretation of both national and international issues, the Virtual National
Arts Festival will reach out beyond South Africa to wake up a world hungry for healing. Expect the Festival’s eleven days to be a soulsearching, entertaining and enlightening ride - wherever you are in the world.