Choreographer and dancer Waltz, along with artist Eliasson, receive honors for their artistic contributions. - Dancer Waltz collaborates with artist Elíasson on creative project
Artists Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson Honored with Helmut Schmidt Future Prize
Berlin, November 10 – Choreographer Sasha Waltz and installation artist Olafur Eliasson have been jointly awarded the Helmut Schmidt Future Prize, a €20,000 honor that recognizes their dedication to democracy, the environment, and liberal society. This marks the first time the prize has been shared by two laureates.
Olafur Eliasson, in conversation with journalist Uwe Jean Heuser and Jochen Sandig, Waltz's husband, expressed his delight upon receiving the award. During an ensuing discussion on the significance of culture in democracy, Eliasson even performed a spontaneous dance on stage, bringing laughter to the audience.
In accepting the award on behalf of his wife, Jochen Sandig elaborated on their joint journey, as they founded the dance company Sasha Waltz & Guests in Berlin in 1993. Unfortunately, Waltz herself could not attend the ceremony due to an illness, and her colleague, dancer Hwanhee Hwang, represented her.
Olafur Eliasson, who splits his time between Berlin and his hometown, Copenhagen, is an artist, designer, and architect of public spaces. His installations often focus on light and natural phenomena, serving as a reminder of humanity's responsibility to preserve their foundational elements.
The dance ensemble Sasha Waltz & Guests, based in Berlin, is widely regarded as a critical institution in contemporary dance. The jury commended Waltz for her work, stating that her artistic output counters attacks on democracy with a search for empathy and understanding.
Previous recipients of the Helmut Schmidt Future Prize include climate activist Vanessa Nakate, American AI expert Meredith Whittaker, and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Originally established in 2022, the award is presented by Die Zeit, the Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung, and The New Institute, all based in Hamburg.
Olafur Eliasson is a renowned Danish-Icelandic artist, known for his large-scale installations that challenge the viewer's perception. His work explores light, space, and environmental aspects, encouraging reflection on the relationship between nature and the built environment.
Sasha Waltz is a revered German choreographer and dancer, well-known for founding Sasha Waltz & Guests in Berlin. Her innovative approach to dance often interweaves elements from the visual arts and music, creating captivating performances.
- The shared Helmut Schmidt Future Prize winners, Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson, might consider integrating their respective art forms – dance and installation – in future works, as an exploration of lifestyle, home-and-garden, and travel, to emphasize the importance of their dedication to democracy, the environment, and liberal society.
- In crafting their community policy to encourage cultural growth and travel, city planners could draw inspiration from the works of both Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson, understanding their shared commitment as a testament to the transformative power of art in shaping a culturally rich and sustainable urban landscape.
