Mamela Nyamza

Black Privilege

Part of the festival “The Present Is Not Enough – Performing Queer Histories and Futures”

Performance
Dance

approx. 60 min

The dancer, choreographer and activist Mamela Nyamza has caused quite a stir on the international scene for a number of years now. She consistently places her personal biography as a Black African lesbian mother within the general debate about the failed rainbow nation of South Africa, where racism and machismo are both regaining strength along with the divisions between high and tribal culture and between different linguistic and tribal regions. Instead of rapprochement, reconciliation and the exchange of views, this remarkable artist born in Cape Town in 1976 detects greater compartmentalization, stricter racial separation and a climate of fear now exerting a firm grip over a national that was once a model of the post-colonial idea.
In her new work “Black Privilege”, Nyamza focuses her attention on the hypocritical structure underlying our societies in which everyone is permanently judged and pre-judged. Switching back and forth between a ritual in which she summons up various aspects of strong women and a court process in which powerful figures are held to account for their horrific deeds, Nyamza blurs the boundaries between spirituality and the law. Rejected and unrecognized heroines of the African struggle for independence are brought back to life, judged and perhaps also celebrated.

After the performance on 25 June: Artist Talk / With Lisa Tracy Michalik. Lisa Tracy Michalik is a media and culture scholar and independent journalist, including for Missy Magazine. Her texts deal with topics such as racism and gender, from the perspective of her lived experience as a Black queer woman in Germany.

Cast

Choreography & Dance: Mamela Nyamza / Dramaturgy: Sello Pesa / Costume & Makeup: Linda Mandela / Stage & Light: Wilhelm Disbergen / Light & Stage Management: Buntu Tyali / Wardrobe & Makeup Assistance: Nompumelelo Skhosana (South African State Theatre) / Bodypainting: Morag Pringle

Dates

Past

Further Information

Audio

Notes:

After the performance on 25 June: Artist Talk / With Lisa Tracy Michalik.

Credits

Commissioned work: Ruhrtriennale. Co-production: PACT Zollverein, National Arts Festival, South Africa.

Location

HAU2

Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin

There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Four relaxed seats are available in the first row of HAU2. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can also be booked via the ticketing system. If you need help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email to
tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.

Latest information for arrival:

There is currently a construction site on Hallesches Ufer between Wilhelmstraße and Möckernbrücke underground station. There is a divided replacement route for pedestrians (right) and cyclists (left), which are separated by a yellow ground line. The carriageway is narrowed to one lane.

Travelling to HAU2 via U Hallesches Tor:

If you are coming from Hallesches Tor underground station, you will have to use an alternative footpath from Wilhelmstraße / Hallesches Ufer junction, which is separated from the carriageway by a construction fence – the actual footpath is currently closed. Please note: the alternative route is also used by cyclists. Pedestrians should keep to the right. We therefore currently recommend that visually impaired or blind visitors come to the HAU with an accompanying person.

Arrival HAU2 via U Möckernbrücke:

When you leave Möckernbrücke underground station, please stay on the footpath on the canal side until you reach Hallesches Ufer / Großbeerenstraße junction – the opposite side is currently closed due to construction work.

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