Festivals (SA) Capetown – 20.03.10 bis 28.03.10
Out the Box Festival 2010
Out the Box Festival 2010
20-28 March 2010
After it’s sell out success in 2007 and 2008, the Out The Box Festival of Puppetry and Visual Performance will be running in Cape Town from 20-28 March 2010. The festival is calling for applications from artists and companies who would be interested in participating in the festival this year.
Organised by UNIMA SA (the international association of puppetry, SA), Out the Box “is fast becoming South Africa’s premier puppetry and visual performance event” (Cape Times). Brent Meersman of the Mail and Guardian says: “…the Out The Box Festival has finally arrived as a vital force on our theatre landscape” and Adrienne Sichel of the Sunday Independent described it as a “conceptual wonderland…from the culturally charged cauldron of Cape Town creativity”.
The growth and popularity of puppetry and visual performance all over the world, and now in South Africa, is testament to the appeal of this collaborative artistic medium. The festival will provide emerging and established visual theatre artists with a platform to present their work alongside award-winning international practitioners. With two major International companies already committed to attend, Out the Box is set to fulfil on its promise of being a major event in the SA arts calendar.
In 2010 the festival will be divided into two main components, The Family Festival (now in association with ASSITEJ South Africa) and the Adult Festival at the Baxter Theatre Complex. A third major component that will span across both the Adult and Family festival are the Active Puppets (Puppetry for social development) activities.
In 2010 we will again host the Moving Things Film Festival, the puppetry and stop motion film programme which runs at the Independent Labia Cinema. We will have another exciting programme of new South African films an international gems to look out for.
VISUAL PERFORMANCE
Visual performance is artistic expression that moves beyond text based theatre utilizing images, puppetry, objects, video, art and dynamic multimedia in an interactive or performative context. This is not to the exclusion of text but where images are of primary importance to the language, the work can be considered ‘visual’. It’s about stimulating the senses. It’s about experimentation, collaboration and interrogation. It explores different spaces, from the theatre to site specific work.
APPLICATIONS
We are looking for diverse, artists to apply to participate in the festival in 2008. Participants are encouraged to consider the following aspects of the festival:
ADULT FESTIVAL
The adult festival contains within it several forums for artists to participate. These are: presentation of a visual theatre production; art installation/live art piece; participation in Iqonga (Platform); participation in Active puppets; presentation of an illustrated talk at the conference; facilitation of a practical workshop, street performance/festivities.
Visual Theatre Production
A stand-alone professional production aimed at a principally adult audience. These pieces can be dance or theatre based.
Installation/Live Art
A site-specific installation, live art performance, kinetic art, interactive art. Any duration. To be located at the Baxter or the immediate surrounds.
Iqonga/Platform
A Platform for professional theatre-makers/dancers/artists to experiment with visual performance. Artistic and developmental support will be offered to those who wish it.
Active Puppets
Active puppets brings together theatre-makers using puppetry for social development and education. It is a forum for exchange, learning and experimentation with using this dynamic medium for effective communication.
Conference:
Topic still to be confirmed. Leading ideas on contemporary visual performance will be discussed. Artists and academics are asked to talk about their work to open the debate and stimulate thinking in this area.
Workshop
Practical workshops for performers and theatre makes as well as students will be offered. Consider offering a workshop to develop emerging puppeteers, performers, artists and /or theatre makers.
Street performances/festivities
Part of the festival’s unique atmosphere is its encouragement of free, outdoor performances. The grounds of the Baxter become a space of free-roaming performance and celebration. All street performers, stilt-walkers, clowns, musicians and roaming puppeteers welcome. Out the Box is also seeking to commission an outdoor event/performance for 2010.
Film
Any film containing puppets or stop motion animation is eligible. Any duration. The festival will not show 3D or 2D CG animation.
FAMILY FESTIVAL, in association with ASSITEJ SA
The Family Festival will include shows, workshops, festivities and a schools’ exhibition of puppet creations.
Show
For 2010, a selection of fully professional, high quality children’s theatre (with puppets/masks or other visual media) will be made. A presentation should last no more than 60 min (for schools’ audiences) and may include a show and a talk.
Workshop
Consider offering a puppet-construction workshop for children. You stipulate the length, age-group and requirements.
Exhibition
Open to all learners, this exhibition will be an expression of free creativity and play. Puppets will be displayed throughout the festival venue.
VENUES
Out the Box is located at the high profile and popular Baxter Theatre Complex situated in Rondebosch, Cape Town.
PUBLICITY
Out the box is marketed widely throughout the media and has extensive coverage in newspapers, television, and radio.
CONTACT OUT THE BOX
Office: 021 4625811
Email: outthebox@unimasouthafrica.org
Go to www.unimasouthafrica.org
Janni Younge: (Director) 084 619 7382
Jaqueline Domisse: (Artistic Director) 072 418 4524