The Head & the Load - For over thirty years, William Kentridge has combined the
visual arts, performance, theatre and opera to create works
dreamlike, political and humanistic. His installations, films and drawings
often deal with the political situation in South Africa, apartheid and
consequences of colonialism. This book examines in depth its performance
"The Head & The Load," which explores Africa's role during the First
World War. Throughout the war, more than a million Africans were
transported supplies and military equipment in conditions
dangerous for British, French and German troops, with a
minimal or no pay. William Kentridge tells the story of these
African carriers who ensured the success of the winners, but who remain
in the shadows. This story, rarely studied today, unfolds in a
staging mixing music, dance, acting, projections and sculptures
mechanized. The book includes photos and texts of the performance,
essays and artwork specially created by Kentridge to complement the
play. Accompanied by an international cast of singers, actors and
dancers, and music composed by Philip Miller, "The Head & The Load"
is a powerful and multifaceted work that reconsiders colonial history and
its repercussions in today's world.
