Faustin
Linyekula
Les Studios Kabako
(Democratic Republic of Congo)
Faustin
Linyekula
After spending eight years in exile (1993-2001), Faustin Linyekula
returned to his native Congo with a renewed desire to create
art there. He subsequently founded a company and art center,
Les Studios Kabako. Linyekula has since emerged as a leading
figure recognized for his artistry, commitment to education
and firm belief in the importance of art in addressing social
issues. He is also recognized as one of the foremost choreographers
to emerge and define contemporary African dance. Linyekula's
work has received numerous awards, and he has been invited
to participate in residencies throughout Europe.
Les
Studios Kabako
Les Studios Kabako was founded in June 2001
by Faustin Linyekula and is dedicated to the development
of dance and visual theatre in Kinshasa. Les Studios Kabako
is the only space in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa dedicated
to contemporary dance and visual theater.
Les
Studios Kabako aims to both address artistic and aesthetic
issues and foster professional and structural skills through
research, creation and circulation. It provides training
opportunities for artists, management and technical staff.
A key focus of Les Studios Kabako is to nurture artists
to explore new ideas and collaborations both at home and
abroad - an essential ingredient for a people that suffered
years of isolation and confinement.
With
support from local and international partners, Les Studios
Kabako has presented “Spectacularly Empty” (2001),
“Triptyque sans Titre” (2002), “Spectacularly
Empty II” (2003), “Radio Okapi” (2004),
“Le Festival des Mensonges” (2005) and conducted
various international projects and collaborations with artists
from France, Morocco, Ethiopia and Sweden and South Africa.
ABOUT
“TRYPTIQUE SANS TITRE” (TRIPTYCH UNTITLED)
“Triptyque sans Titre” deals with memory and
the consequences of collective amnesia within the context
of the political, social and economic realities of a turbulent
and constantly changing nation, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo. Recycling fragments of memory, and trying
to express a story that he can’t quite remember, Faustin
Linyekula reflects a generation that collectively struggles
to simultaneously forget and unearth its history. The stark,
edgy dance-theater piece uses stunning visuals and relentless
honesty to tell the beautiful and painful story of the dancer’s
homeland.
choireographer/lighting/set
design
Faustin Linyekula
dancers
Papy Ebotani
Daddy Kamono
Djodjo Kazadi
Faustin Linyekula
musicians
Joachim Montessuis
Les Studios Kabako
assistant light design/set design
Daddy Kamono
For
more information about the company visit:
http://www.kabako.org/
