Cape Town – Ending this year with a bang – now in its eighth year – the ArtsAbility Festival which celebrates the abilities of artists with disabilities will bring to the stage an array of breathtaking art pieces at the National Disability Rights Awareness Month.
IOL Online
Staying true to the theme “Disability, Dance and Diversity”, Artscape along with the Unmute Dance Company, have partnered with guest productions from overseas including Diversity in Dance UK, and Sensorium EX to bring fresh, new performances for audiences to immerse themselves in.
he festival seeks to engender an innovative, creative space of exciting, heartfelt performances for disabled and able-bodied artists and performers. It commences at Artscape on November 28, culminating on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
Through inclusivity, performances, dialogue and workshops, the festival continues to use the arts to drive social transformation, addressing the issues that people with disabilities experience in their lives.
It further seeks to highlight the significance of accessibility and integration into the arts, all while celebrating the uniqueness that these artists have to offer.
According to findings in a research report documented in the African Journal of Disability titled, “Creating inclusive Performing Arts practices for development of youth with disabilities”: a critical ethnographic study, headed by Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux, give exposure to the performing arts provides important skills development and social opportunities for disabled youth.
“It is up to the ‘keepers’ of the performing arts – those in administration and management – to realign the performing arts in a way that can best benefit everyone,” the report said.
The report explored how youth with disabilities, who were exposed to theatre performances, were influenced by becoming aware of possibilities for social and economic inclusion.
Audiences can look forward to a jam-packed line-up of artistic performances including a moving piece called Timelapse, presented by Unmute, a production that delves into moments in one’s life that move with us through time – be it a happy memory, a traumatic feeling or minor experiences.
The piece also explores how moments affect future moments, making this deeply felt art performance one which shapes new beginnings and refreshes souls.
The Unmute productions start on November 30, at 7.30pm with thrilling new work through a collaboration by the Unmute Dance Company and Italian artist, dancer and choreographer Alessandro Schiatarella.
Schiatarella’s dynamic relationship with Unmute began in 2016 during his first residency in South Africa with the company, which has since developed into powerful exchanges of creativity and exploration.
Schiatarella has previously brought two of his works Altrove and One at a Time to the ArtsAbility Festival in 2018, which was met with vigour and enthusiasm.
Another production to look forward to is Unclear on December 1, at 7.30pm by queer disabled artist Louise Westerhout, which follows in forensic detail the journey of struggles and triumphs in an altered body after treatment for stage 4 cancer and hip/ femur replacement.
