UNHAPPEN UNHAPPEN UNHAPPEN. William Kentridge, Browyn Lace, Neo Muyanga. until July 27 2025. Spoleto – Italy

Carla Fendi Foundation and Mahler & LeWitt Studios host The Centre for the Less Good Idea for a project curated by Guy Robertson (Curator and Co-Director, Mahler & LeWitt Studios), in collaboration with Spoleto68 Festival dei Due Mondi.

The project comprises an exhibition, workshops,  a residency program, and related events, including a lecture by William Kentridge.
The exhibition Unhappen Unhappen Unhappen – Pepper’s Ghost Dioramas will premiere four Pepper’s Ghost performance dioramas developed by Anathi Conjwa, William Kentridge, Micca Manganye, and Sabine Theunissen. The dioramas combine table-top theatre and puppetry with Pepper’s Ghost, a Victorian theatrical illusion technique. Founded by William Kentridge and Bronwyn Lace in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Centre nurtures collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects, with a particular focus on supporting young artists from the African continent. Their unique strategy is to encourage artists to pursue the ‘less good idea’: i.e. that idea which first appears on the margins, as a result of creative blockage or chance, but which subsequently permits a more vital exploration.
The Centre will share their philosophy and methods in a series of workshops and events, including a practical introduction to Pepper’s Ghost techniques, a live-composition workshop with silent film archives, and in-conversations with the artists.
William Kentridge will also receive the Carla Fendi STEAM 2025 Award in recognition of his outstanding artistic talent and his valuable work in promoting social issues. The contribution is intended to support the creative and educational activities of The Centre for the Less Good Idea.

09.07, 19.30 WILLIAM KENTRIDGE:  FINDING THE LESS GOOD IDEA
LECTURE. William Kentridge in a talk focused on the defense of the less good idea and on the activities of The Centre for the Less Good Idea, the center he founded in 2016 together with artist Bronwyn Lace in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Centre supports collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, with particular attention to fostering young artists from the African continent. With Andrea Fabi and musical accompaniment by Neo Muyanga.

01.07 WORKSHOPS. An introduction to Pepper’s Ghost. with Bronwyn Lace e Neo Muyanga. Open to all artists, curators, and researchers.

02.07 Sounding Pictures –  live scores to short silent films. with Bronwyn Lace e Neo Muyanga Open to composers, musicians and sound artists, filmmakers, artists or researchers working in film with at least three years of professional experience. Students, curators, and other interested individuals are also invited to apply to participate as observers in the workshop. Please submit a short statement (max 250 words) explaining why you wish to participate, along with a CV, a portfolio, and links to any relevant work.