Antony Hegarty has been installed as the curator for this year’s Meltdown festival.
An exploration of the arts, Meltdown has earned a global reputation. Recruiting influential figures from the world of music and visual arts, the festival will this summer hand curating responsibilities to Antony Hegarty.
The British born singer is a truly idiosyncratic artist, with his high, keening voice wrapping itself round emotive, often quite personal material. Following in the footsteps of previous curators, Antony Hegarty will be joining a pantheon which includes Jarvis Cocker, Robert Wyatt, Laurie Anderson, Patti Smith, Ornette Coleman, David Bowie and, most recently, Ray Davies.
Taking over the renowned London arts centre, Antony Hegarty will gain control of the Southbank for almost a fortnight. Little is known about the line up as yet, although the themes are expected to echo those of Hegarty’s own work.
A quick quote from Antony Hegarty:
“I want to create a kind of paradise. I want to walk through that forest and see and hear the hardcore beauty and strength in art and music that makes sense to me. The weather is changing and everybody knows it. I want to participate; What is my relationship and responsibility to the world around me? Frontier expressions of emotion and beauty can be fantastic tools with which to enter that discussion.”
Jude Kelly, Artistic Director at Southbank Centre, said:
“From the moment we heard his voice, or caught an early glimpse of him stealing the show on jaw-dropping guest spots, there was no doubt that Antony was a major talent. In the decade since, a series of acclaimed recordings and performances, a host of well-selected collaborators and immaculately delivered commissions have confirmed his status as one of the most fascinating artists of our age. Each director takes Meltdown in a different direction. We can’t wait to see where Antony will take the festival and us in August 2012.”
Meltdown runs between August 1st to 12th.
