Two performing artists win Gieskes-Strijbis Podiumprijs
Belgian theatre-maker Jef Van gestel and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy won the tenth edition of the prestigious Gieskes-Strijbis Podiumprijs on Monday evening.
Belgian theatre-maker Jef Van gestel and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy won the tenth edition of the prestigious Gieskes-Strijbis Podiumprijs on Monday evening.
The details: Both winners will receive €70,000 each, up from €60,000 in past editions, to spend entirely as they choose. Fellow nominees Diamanda La Berge Dramm, Dunja Jocić, and Florian Myjer were each awarded €35,000, bringing the total distribution up from €150,000 to €245,000 during the ceremony at De Rode Hoed in Amsterdam.
The jury evaluation:
- Van gestel was commended for his absurd productions and object theatre, where everyday items like garbage bags become performers and surreal worlds turn tangible.
- Pelupessy was celebrated for tackling challenging themes by blending contemporary dance, hip-hop, breakdance, and Moluccan and Indonesian movement traditions.
The big picture: Established in 2017 to foster diversity and artistic freedom in Dutch performing arts, the fund has now provided €1.6 million to creators. Fund director Floris van Hest stated the expanded sums offer all five nominated artists greater room to pursue their creative growth.
Context: Pelupessy enjoyed multiple honors over the preceding weekend. On Friday, she claimed the Innovatieprijs Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht, while Mama'ku - Van Jakarta tot de Molukken, a documentary following a journey to Indonesia with her mother, earned an audience prize at the Gouden Kalveren Gala.
