Incubate is the annual celebration of independent culture. Expect a diverse view on indie culture as a whole, including music, contemporary dance, film and visual arts. We bring more than 200 cutting edge artists in an intimate context to an international audience. Black metal next to free jazz. Street art next to academic dance.
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Blood. Horror. Filth. Beauty? Rationality? Education? These are some of the ingredients the Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch uses and some of the questions his work raises. Highly controversial for some, highly regarded by others. Nitsch is someone you need to have an opinion on once you’ve seen his work.

As a prominent member of the Viennese Actionism movement, Nitsch is one of the instigators of performance art. His work is highly multi-disciplinary: combining Wagners ideas of gesamtkunstwerk (‘total art’), Jackson Pollocks action painting and the Theatre of Cruelty of Antonin Artaud. His work has touched visual art, contemporary dance as and musical genres like industrial and black metal. During the festival Nitsch' full range of work will be shown. Incubate gives the opportunity to see this important artist at work on his actions, music and philosophy.

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  • Date:
  • Tuesday 15 September
  • 14:00 - 18:00
  • @ Fontys
  • Date:
  • Thursday 17 September
  • 20:00 - 22:00
  • @ Pauluskerk
  • Date:
  • Sunday 13 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Tuesday 15 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Wednesday 16 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Thursday 17 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Friday 18 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Saturday 19 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Sunday 20 September
  • 11:00 - 17:00
  • @ De Pont
  • Date:
  • Sunday 13 September
  • 12:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Tuesday 15 September
  • 10:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Wednesday 16 September
  • 10:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Thursday 17 September
  • 10:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Friday 18 September
  • 10:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Saturday 19 September
  • 12:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption
  • Date:
  • Sunday 20 September
  • 12:00 - 17:00
  • @ Scryption

From September 5 until October 4
Museum De Pont
Exhibition ‘Stations of the Cross’
Nitsch’s paintings bare a lot of resemblances to his performances. Mainly because the painted patterns remind one of the rubbing movements, either with paint of with entrails, that take place during his ‘Actions’. Nitsch paints in series and throws (mostly red) paint all over the vast canvas, afterwards altering them with his hands. Museum for contemporary art ‘De Pont’ presents an overview with some of Hermann Nitsch' painted works, with paintings that have never before been seen in Holland.
Free entrance with an Incubate wristband during the festival


Saturday 19 September, 16:00
Zwijsenpand, Gasthuisring 58
Live Action
On the Incubate Saturday the Nitsch week will reach its high-point with the performance of an Action. Hermann Nitsch will play out a carefully prepared and scripted performance, together with a set of actors. The performance draws inspiration from the ancient sacrifice ritual, where Christian and liturgical elements are interwoven with heathen and pagan practices. Nitsch’s Actions are a combination of theater, music, musical-theater and visual arts, wherein paint, grapes and even a freshly slain pigs are used. The garments of the actors and the cloths from the floors will be the eventual artwork and can still be seen after the Action.

From 7 until September 30
Museum Scryption
Exhibition Scripts
How can you document performances and still keep a good view about what’s going on onstage? The Scryption museum, which exhibits everything dealing with written communication in all forms, shapes and sizes, is turned into an easy accessible centre of documentation. Here the Incubate audience can read about Nitsch’s work, see Actions on video, and look through the transcripts of his performances. This will provide insight into the handwritings of this artist. The visitor will get background information on Nitsch, his concepts and his interdisciplinary mode of work. At the same time the ability arises to study and compare several of his performances. The unique opportunities that this exhibit gives, will not to be found anywhere on this planet soon.
Free entrance with an Incubate wristband during the festival

From 7 until September 30
Library Tilburg Centre
Exhibition pictures, books and films of performances
To get closer to Hermann Nitsch and his performances Bibliotheek Tilburg Centraal (The Library of Tilburg Central) stages a photo exhibition of his earlier Actions. There will be books, music, dvd’s and other media on display as well. They can even be lent for members of the library.

Sunday, September 13, 20:00
NWE Vorst
Tussen Kunst en Nitsch, interview
Hermann Nitsch is one of the most important artists of the last century. He is a multidisciplinary artist avant la lettre that has heavily influenced contemporary dance, visual arts and music. His work is highly controversial, but also often misunderstood. What drives him? What is his reason to spend all his life seeking for, and crossing over, the borders of genres and the borders of taste? In this live interview philosopher and Nitsch-expert Henk Oosterling tries to get closer to the versatile and distinct character of Hermann Nitsch.

Tuesday September 15, 14:00
Fontys Hogeschool
Masterclass
Incubate gives the unique opportunity to several students to talk about their mode of production with one of the most important founders of the European performance art. Just like in the interview with Henk Oosterling on Sunday 13th, the public will get a chance to get better acquainted with the incentives and methods of working of Nitsch. But of course students ask different questions than a philosopher. Hermann Nitsch is a professor at the University of Vienna with the Arts and Drama faculty, and therefore has a extended experience in dealing with students. This Master class will be open to the public.

Thursday September 17, 20:00
Pauluskerk
Organ concert
Nitsch his favorite instrument is the organ. He will perform on of his own pieces in the chapel at the Lange Nieuwstraat. His music is characterized by chaotic harmonies and long-held tones. Sometimes you’ll hear Wagner influences, but improvisation and volume are equally important.

Friday September 18, 20:00 until 21:30
Filmfoyer, Theaters Tilburg
Hermann Nitsch film special
Many of Nitsch’s Actions have been filmed. In the Filmfoyer there will be shown a compilation of different Actions through the years.

Related Nitsch activities during Incubate

Tuesday September 15:
-Taking No Shorts. Aktionism influenced short film special. 20.00 at Filmfoyer

Wednesday September 16:
-Franko B and Kamal Ackarie. Performance art, influenced by Nitsch. 20.30 and 22.00 at NWE Vorst

Thursday 17 until Sunday 20 September:
-New Jacks. Nine young and upcoming visual artists present works inspired by Aktionism and Nitsch. Opening Thursday 16.00 at Duvelhok

Friday September 18:
-Costes. Performance influenced by Nitsch. 20.30 and 22.00 at NWE Vorst
-Marhaug: Musical performance influenced by Nitsch. 20:15 - 21:15 at NS16

Saturday September 19:
-Justice Yeldham. Musical performance influenced by Nitsch. 16:45 - 17:30 at 013

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