OYO presents Picasso-inspired performance next week

Pablo Ruiz Picasso (born 25 October 1881, in Spain – died 8 April 1973, in France) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist and stage designer, and one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century. Known worldwide as the creator of cubism, Picasso´s works are easily identifiable from a distance because of his personal and original style. At 10, he made his first painting, and at 15, he entered the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. During his 75-year career, Picasso is the author of 13 500 paintings and designs, 100 000 prints or engravings, 34 000 books’ illustrations and 300 sculptures or ceramics.8 April 2023, marked the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso&#039;s death.Getting creative In this context, the embassy of Spain in Windhoek has commissioned the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) to create a special dance production that will be performed on Thursday, 23 May in Gobabis at the Legare Stadium. “The performance is not a biography of the life of Picasso,” said Dr Philippe Talavera, choreographer. “It is a tribute to his work. We were inspired by several pieces, such as ‘Lavie’ or ‘famille de saltimbanques’ and developed sections from those. Picasso is also the first one to have used collages and reused items. So, the dancers are also reusing and transforming objects, creating and then deconstructing the stage as the piece goes on.”Innovative The soundtrack was created by renowned music composer Ponti Dikuua and features poems and texts mostly written by Picasso, read by Dikuua, Gregory Decroocq and Jesus Lasso. The costumes were created by University of Namibia (Unam) fashion designers and alumni Isabella Fernando, Maija-Liisa Nautende, Quin-Leigh Hammond, Laimi Ndapunikwa, Laimi Ndinelao Moses, Monika Shapumba and Elizabeth Kaulu. Talavera did the choreography and the OYO dance company, led by Desmond Kamerika, Mary-Jane Andreas and Sydney Farao, will perform the work.“This will be a massive production, something that has never been seen in Namibia. It will be very different from the work OYO normally does. I can’t wait to see the reaction from the audience,” added Talavera. The project is funded by the Spanish embassy in Namibia and represents Namibia’s contribution to global celebrations in line with the Spanish and French governments&#039; &#039;Picasso Celebration 1973-2023&#039;, commemorating the work of Picasso on the 50th anniversary of his passing.

OYO presents Picasso-inspired performance next week

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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OYO presents Picasso-inspired performance next week

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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