Robyn Orlin on Chaos, Apartheid, and Pop Art at Montpellier Danse
South African choreographer Robyn Orlin, known as 'the permanent irritant,' performed at the Montpellier Danse festival on July 1-2, 2002. In an interview with Jacqueline Caux, Orlin discusses her use of chaos, provocation, and derision to address post-apartheid tensions and Western imperialism. She draws inspiration from American musicals of the 1940s-50s, Richard Foreman's Ontological-Hysteric Theatre, and Bertolt Brecht. Her works like 'Daddy...' and 'F. (Untitled)' expose racial dysfunctions, while 'We must eat our suckers with the wrapper on...' addresses AIDS with restraint. Orlin employs simple lamps and surveillance cameras to demystify theatrical light and avoid performer narcissism. She cites influences from Andy Warhol, Dada, surrealist women, and Busby Berkeley. Her 'theory of chaos' sees disorder everywhere and rejects moralizing pathos. Orlin won the Jan Fabre Prize in 2000 for most subversive work. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and was mentored by Barney Simon of the Market Theater Laboratory.
Key facts
- Robyn Orlin performed at Montpellier Danse festival on July 1-2, 2002.
- She is called 'the permanent irritant' in South Africa.
- Her work uses chaos, derision, and provocation to critique post-apartheid issues and Western imperialism.
- She references American musicals of the 1940s-50s, Richard Foreman, and Bertolt Brecht.
- Her piece 'Daddy...' exposes ongoing racial dysfunctions.
- 'F. (Untitled)' features two Fausts: one white, one black.
- 'We must eat our suckers with the wrapper on...' addresses AIDS with restraint.
- She uses simple lamps and surveillance cameras to control focus and avoid performer narcissism.
- She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and made films and videos before returning to live performance.
- Her mentor was Barney Simon, founder of the Market Theater Laboratory.
- She won the Jan Fabre Prize in 2000 for most subversive work.
- She identifies as a pop artist, influenced by Andy Warhol, Dada, surrealist women, and Busby Berkeley.
- Her 'theory of chaos' sees disorder everywhere and rejects moralizing pathos.
Entities
Artists
- Robyn Orlin
- Elizabeth LeCompte
- Richard Foreman
- Bertolt Brecht
- Tadeusz Kantor
- Andy Warhol
- Busby Berkeley
- Martha Graham
- Barney Simon
- Romeo Castellucci
- Jacqueline Caux
- Thabo Mbeki
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Institutions
- Montpellier Danse
- Wooster Group
- Market Theater Laboratory
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Jan Fabre Prize
Locations
- Montpellier
- France
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- London
- Chicago
- United States
- Lithuania
- Europe
Sources
- artpress —