The Centre for the Less Good Idea

Carla Fendi Foundation and Mahler & LeWitt Studios host The Centre for the Less Good Idea for an exhibition at the Former Baptistry of the Manna d’Oro and a workshop residency. The exhibition Unhappen Unhappen Unhappen – Pepper’s Ghost Dioramas will premiere four Pepper's Ghost performance dioramas developed by Anathi Conjwa, William Kentridge, Micca

Manganye, and Sabine Theunissen. Pepper’s Ghost is a Victorian theatrical illusion technique which has become one of The Centre's signature performance tools. The dioramas combine the Pepper’s Ghost technique with table-top theatre and puppetry, creating a layered and perpetual performance space in which long dormant archives are re-activated and histories retold. Founded by William Kentridge and Bronwyn Lace in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Centre nurtures collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects, with a particular focus on supporting young artists from the African continent. Their unique strategy is to encourage artists to pursue the 'less good idea': i.e. that idea which first appears on the margins, as a result of creative blockage or chance, but which subsequently permits a more vital exploration. The Centre will share their philosophy and methods in a series of workshops and events, including a practical introduction to Pepper's Ghost techniques, a live-composition workshop with silent film archives, and in-conversations with the artists.