Core-curator for the Season, Nhlanhla Mahlangu was invited to perform an existing and seminal piece in his practice. Chant was a separate guest performance and scaffold-responsive version of the work.
Chant is created in memory of Mahlangu’s grandmother and tells a personal story, journeying from the suburbs of Alberton to the squatter camp of Phola Park during the 80s and 90s in South Africa.
Chant was first commissioned by the Julidans Artist’s Lab in 2010 and premiered at the 2011 Julidans Festival in Amsterdam. Other performances include Goethe on Main, the 2012 Dance Umbrella Festival, and the 2015 Jomba! Festival.
Special thanks to Craig Higginso, Penny Heuberge, and Erica Lüttich.
PERFORMER & WRITER | Nhlanhla Mahlangu
DIRECTOR | Gerard Bester
CINEMATOGRAPHER | Kutlwano Makgalemele
ASSISTANT CINEMATOGRAPHER | Chris Soal
FILM EDITOR | Noah Cohen
LIGHTING DESIGNERS | Mandla Mtshali & Matthews Phala
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT | Gearhouse Splitbeam (Pty) Ltd
SOUND ENGINEERS | Soulfire Studios: Gavan Eckhart, Ruby Friedman & Jacques Sibanda
PROP, SET & COSTUME DESIGNER | Bake und Backen: Noluthando Lobese
STAGE DESIGNERS | UrbanWorks Architecture & Urbanism: Thireshen Govender & Izak Potgieter
CONSTRUCTION | Estee Automation
STAGE MANAGER | Lungelo Winnet Shange
PHOTOGRAPHER | Nina Lieska