In partnership with Lufthansa, Jessica Nupen has created a wildly dynamic Tanztheater work, celebrating diversity in Germany and South Africa in what is arguably the contemporary arts scene's most prestigious event. Through the partnership, Lufthansa is proud to be sponsoring the Don’t Trust the Border (DTTB) dance crew.
Earlier this year, Lufthansa flew the crew to Germany to showcase the DTTB world premiere in Hamburg, at Kampnagel – a dream come true for most local South African artists. Lufthansa is proud to announce that the DTTB piece will be showcased in South Africa on the 19th and 20th of October in Johannesburg.
DTTB is a daring exploration of the traversed boundaries of human rationale in the context of geographical and personal borders. It looks at borders as a dynamic phenomenon that can emerge, disappear, and re-emerge as internal zones of negotiation and helps the audience to understand borders as penetrable and changing constructions that allow communities to negotiate, re-organise, and ultimately be modified. Not only does Lufthansa aid the DTTB crew to cross international travel borders, but the DTTB crew, influenced heavily by Pina Bausch's theories and works, also crosses the borders between dance, film installation and theatre with an overall team of celebrated international performers, visual artists, composers, designers, and innovators.
Lufthansa operates daily flights to South Africa from Germany and vice versa, where it operates two of the largest hubs in Europe – its Munich and Frankfurt airports. Project Director and choreographer, Jessica Nupen said it is a triumph of our time and a celebration of our diversity.
“We are excited about the challenges that lie ahead, travelling overseas with the team and now bringing the show back to South Africa, will see the culmination of all our work come together in a magnificent work of art. We are grateful to Lufthansa for affording us this opportunity and experience," she said.
The ‘Don’t Trust The Border’ South African Premier will showcase in Johannesburg at William Kentridge’s Centre for the Less Good Idea on October 19, with a matinee on the 20th.