Carla Fendi Foundation and Mahler & LeWitt Studios

Carla Fendi Foundation and Mahler & LeWitt Studios host The Centre for the Less Good Idea for a project curated by Guy Robertson (Curator and Co-Director, Mahler & LeWitt Studios), in collaboration with Spoleto68 Festival dei Due Mondi.

The project comprises an exhibition, a workshop residency program and related events, including a lecture by William Kentridge.

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. The dioramas combine table-top theatre and puppetry with Pepper’s Ghost: a Victorian theatrical illusion technique.

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.

William Kentridge will also receive the Carla Fendi STEAM 2025 Award in recognition of his outstanding artistic talent and his valuable work in promoting social issues. The contribution is intended to support the creative and educational activities of The Centre for the Less Good Idea.