Dance pioneer Waltz and renowned artist Eliasson acknowledged for their contributions - Artistic Collaboration: Choreographer Disney and Artist Elíasson
Award-Winning Artists Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson Honored for Cultural Innovation and Democratic Commitment
Berlin, Germany - Choreographer Sasha Waltz and installation artist Olafur Eliasson have been jointly awarded the Helmut Schmidt Future Prize for their significant contributions to cultural innovation and their dedication to fostering democracy, liberal society, and the protection of nature.
The prestigious €20,000 award was bestowed upon the two artists for the first time, recognizing their impact on society and demonstrating their shared values.
Eliasson, who resides in both Berlin and Copenhagen, was in high spirits following the ceremony. During an audience-engaging conversation with journalist Uwe Jean Heuser and Jochen Sandig, Waltz's husband and director, Eliasson entertained with humor and even offered a small on-stage dance performance.
Sandig accepted the award on behalf of Waltz, who was unable to attend due to illness. Sasha Waltz & Guests, the dance company co-founded by Waltz and Sandig in Berlin in 1993, was praised by the jury for its significant role in contemporary dance.
Olafur Eliasson is known worldwide for his immersive art installations that promote public discourse on pressing social and environmental issues. He often explores the perceptual and relational aspects of space, environment, and human experience, thus embodying democratic values through participatory art practices.
Sasha Waltz, a celebrated choreographer and dancer, addresses themes of identity, diversity, and social cohesion through her contemporary dance performances and community projects, emphasizing the values of a liberal society. Her creative language deconstructs hierarchies and encourages inclusivity, reflecting democratic values.
The Helmut Schmidt Future Prize, named after the former Chancellor of Germany, honors individuals who make significant contributions to the advancement of democratic values and social progress. Past recipients include climate activist Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan climate activist, US AI expert Meredith Whittaker, and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
This year's recognition of Eliasson and Waltz underscores their shared commitment to using culture as a lens for rethinking social structures, promoting transparency, and championing the protection of both democracy and nature. Their art serves as a catalyst for public engagement, democratic dialogue, and the envisioning of alternative futures.
The award-winning artists, Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson, have demonstrated their commitment to fostering democracy and liberal society through the community policy of their art, particularly in addressing themes of social cohesion and identity. Their shared values, as evidenced by their employment policies, align with the principles of a democratic society, as they aim to deconstruct hierarchies and promote inclusivity. Alongside their cultural innovations, they have made significant impacts in other areas of life, with Eliasson's fashion-and-beauty installations encouraging public discourse on pressing environmental issues, and Waltz's home-and-garden projects advocating for diversity. Moreover, their work in the areas of relationships and pets reveals a concern for societal connections and the nurturing of empathy, while their travel and cars choices reflect a commitment to sustainable living. Lastly, their shopping habits prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices, symbolizing their dedication to the well-being of both the community and the natural world.
