William Kentridge: The Head & The Load

William Kentridge's The Head & The Load is a performance piece that combines music, dance, writing, and fine art to tell the haunting story of Africans during WWI. The play explores the role of Africa during the war, with more than one million Africans carrying provisions and military equipment for British, French, and German troops at minimal or no pay. The work is a powerful and multifaceted exploration of colonial history and its repercussions in today's world, accompanied by an international cast of singers, actors, and dancers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2020
Publisher: Prestel

William Kentridge, a renowned artist for over three decades, has been creating dreamlike, political, and humanist works through a fusion of fine arts, performance, theatre, and opera. His installations, films, and drawings often delve into the political landscape of South Africa, including topics such as apartheid and the consequences of colonialism. In this book, we delve into his performance piece titled "The Head & The Load," which explores the role of Africa during World War I.

During the war, over one million Africans served as porters, carrying provisions and military equipment in treacherous conditions for British, French, and German troops at minimal or no pay. Kentridge's play sheds light on the stories of these African porters, who played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the victors but remain largely unnoticed in history.

The play is presented in a staged tableau that combines music, dance, acting, screenings, and mechanized sculptures. The book includes photographs and text from the performance, as well as essays and artworks created specifically by Kentridge to complement the play. Accompanied by an international cast of singers, actors, and dancers, and with music composed by Philip Miller, "The Head & The Load" is a powerful and multifaceted work that reconsiders colonial history and its repercussions in today's world.

Through his unique artistic approach, Kentridge challenges the audience to reflect on the complexities of history and the ongoing impact of colonialism. His work encourages us to consider the experiences and struggles of marginalized communities and to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive world.

Weight: 2044g
Dimension: 237 x 320 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783791387185