Hermann Nitsch is one of the most important artists of the last century. He is a multidisciplinary artist avant la lettre that has heavily influenced contemporary dance, visual arts and music. Nitsch is the central guest at Incubate. His work is highly controversial, but also often misunderstood. Therefore Incubate has a whole week filled with interesting things you can see, hear and experience about this artist and those inspired by him.

Hermann Nitsch

The artist himself will be interviewed by Nitsch expert Henk Oosterling on Sunday 13 September from 20:00 – 22:00@ De NWE Vorst. On Tuesday 15 September from 14:00h he will give a public accesible Masterclass at the Fontys Hogeschool. Nitsch himself will perform an organconcert on Thursday 17 Septemberfrom 20:00 – 22:00 @ the Pauluskerk. And on the Incubate Saturday 19 September 16:00 – 19:00 at the Kapel Clarissenklooster the Nitsch week will reach its high-point with the performance of an Aktion.

Hermann Nitsch will, together with a set of actors, play out a carefully prepared and scripted performance. The performance draws inspiration from the ancient sacrifice ritual, where Christian and liturgical elements are interwoven with heathen and pagan practices. Nitsch’s Aktionen are a combination of theater, music, musical-theater and visual arts, wherein paint, grapes and even a freshly slain animal are used. The garments of the actors and the cloths from the floors will be the eventual artwork and can still be seen after the Aktion  is over. The Chapel in which the Aktion is held is very small, so keep that in mind when you want to see this happening.

Dance/Performance artists

Costes Provocative perfromance artist that was banned from Tilburg before for being too controversial. Friday 18 September | 21:15 – 22:00 | De NWE Vorst

Micheline Torres Performance about the sexuality of flesh; her own and supermarket meat. Saturday 19 September | 20:00 – 21:00 | De NWE Vorst

Justice Yeldham Smashing his head till he bleeds into a glass plate with a microphone.Saturday 19 September | 16:45 – 17:30 | Kleine Zaal 013

Franko B and Kamal Ackarie Forcing the audience to think about the body and the politics of performance by sitting naked in front of the audience.  Wednesday 16 September | 20:30 – 21:30 & 22:30 – 23:30 | De NWE Vorst

Music

Marhaug Noise artist that will do a special performance in honour of Nitsch. Black metal musicians Manheim (Mayhem) and Jon Wesseltoft (Thorns) will collaborate with him on this very special performance. Friday 18 September | 20:15 – 21:15 | NS16.

Visual Arts

The New Jacks program including young Brabant artists will show works influenced by Hermann Nitsch. Renée van Trier, Vincent Dams, Willem Claassen, Liselotte de Groot, Manon van Trier, Jak Peters, Merijn Denkers, Michiel van de Weerthof, Leonie Ruissen.  Thursday 17 September – Sunday 20 September | Duvelhok

Film

Taking No Shorts. Aktionism influenced short film special. Tuesday 15 September 20:00 – 21:00@ Filmfoyer

Special selection of Aktionen on video made by Hermann  Nitsch himself. This is a compilation of four hours containing several highlights of his performances, including various famous artists taking part. Friday 18 September 20:00 – 00:00@ Filmfoyer

Exhibitions

Scryption. Read about Nitsch’s work, see ‘Aktionen’ on video, and look through the transcripts of a wide range of performances.

Bibliotheek (Library) Tilburg Centraal. Photographs of Aktionen, books, cd’s etc.

Museum for contemporary art De Pont. Several paintings of Nitsch will be on display.