De Pionier | Michiel Voet

De Pionier is the third production in a series in which artist Michiel Voet, directed by Leopold Witte, portrays the Westerner in a changing world shaped by migration from different perspectives. Previously, Voet and Witte created the successful productions De Onzichtbare Man and De Vreemdeling, both in collaboration with Orkater. De Pionier will be performed in Michiel Voet’s studio at the NDSM Wharf: Scheepsbouwkade 30, Amsterdam.

In 1956, the Italian Antonio Drago left Italy in search of a better life and ended up at the NDSM shipyard in Amsterdam. A Senegalese refugee travels across the sea to Italy. Dutch artist Michiel Voet dreams of a paradise in Italy. Three lives, three journeys in search of a place to be free. And how do their paths cross on a remote mountain in Italy? In this compelling production, Michiel Voet weaves personal stories together with major social questions: inequality, freedom and responsibility. And the price we are willing to pay for a fairer world. What are we truly prepared to sacrifice for others?

About Michiel Voet
Michiel Voet is a visual artist and theatre maker who works across different disciplines to tell socially relevant stories. De Onzichtbare Man (opening production of Oerol Festival 2018) and De Vreemdeling were performed at various national and international theatre festivals, as well as in theatres and performing arts venues across the Netherlands. De Vreemdeling was awarded Best Production of 2022 by the Amsterdam Neighbourhood Jury.

NDSM OPEN CALL
Through the annual NDSM Open Call, Stichting NDSM-werf and Stichting Kinetisch Noord support projects that emerge from the creativity of the NDSM community. For the latest edition, the jury included former winner Renée Marcus Janssen. Curator Petra Heck and creative producer Bram Kroon represented Stichting NDSM-werf on the jury, while Mariska Middendorf represented Stichting Kinetisch Noord.

About Stichting Kinetisch Noord
Stichting Kinetisch Noord (SKN) was founded in 2000 to redevelop the former NDSM Shipbuilding Shed into a centre for art, culture and craftsmanship, including through the creation of a cultural incubator. In addition, SKN aims to operate the shed as an event venue for public-facing activities such as presentations, workshops, dance events, exhibitions and fairs. More information: ndsmloods.nl.

About Stichting NDSM-werf
Stichting NDSM-werf curates and takes care of the monumental outdoor space of NDSM as a cultural wharf where public character, creative experimentation and polyphony are central. The foundation develops and presents site-specific installations and artworks by and with artists, designers and architects. More information can be found at ndsm.nl.