Episode 33: South African choreographer Robyn Orlin on the importance of not forgetting history

Robyn Orlin was born in 1955 in Johannesburg. Known in South Africa as "the permanent irritation," through her work she reveals the difficult and complex reality of her country. Originally trained at London Contemporary Dance School before later completing an MA at the Chicago School of Fine Arts on a Fulbright scholarship, she combines various artistic expressions  including text, video, and the plastic arts to explore a theatricality that is reflected in her choreographic vocabulary.

Robyn's work includes 'Daddy, I've seen this piece six times before and I still don't know why they're hurting each other' (1999), which won the Laurence Olivier Award for the Most Outstanding Achievement of the Year. Her 2012 work 'Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position...' (2012) was the opening performance of the South African season in France in 2013. 

From the 21-22nd March, Robyn’s work 'WE WEAR OUR WHEELS WITH PRIDE' will be performed at London’s Southbank Centre as part of Dance Reflections festival by Van Cleef & Arpels. A homage to the rickshaw drivers of South Africa’s past, it is a celebration of dance and song imbibed with a joyous thirst for life.

Performed by Moving into Dance Mophatong (MIDM), a Johannesburg-based company nourished by Zulu traditions and a flagship for contemporary dance in South Africa, 'WE WEAR OUR WHEELS WITH PRIDE' was inspired by Robyn’s experience as a child in the 1970s when, at the height of apartheid, she would watch the ornate decorations of Zulu men’s vehicles and headdresses with awe, as well as their sprightly dance like steps. Coincidentally, this was also the period when MIDM was founded.

Ahead of the performance, I was privileged to speak to Robyn about the role of art in times of political struggle, why she loves working with her fellow South Africans, and the main message she wants people to take away from her latest production—not to forget history.