2010 Rolex Initiative
Chunky Move congratulates composer Ben Frost and dancer Lee Serle on being chosen for a year of mentoring in Rolex Arts Initiative.
The two artists, who worked together on Chunky Move’s Mortal Engine, are among six exceptional talents who have been chosen by some of the world’s most distinguished artists for a year of collaboration and inspiration in the international Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, announced today.
Ben Frost, 30, an acclaimed composer, producer and musician originally from Melbourne, who has lived in Iceland since 2005, is the music protégé for 2010-2011. He will be mentored by Brian Eno from the U.K. who made his name with Roxy Music in the 1970s and has become a visionary composer and producer, working with many leading artists.
Lee Serle, a highly gifted, 28-year-old dancer, also from Melbourne, is the dance protégé. Legendary American choreographer Trisha Brown, who has transformed contemporary dance over the past four decades, will serve as his mentor.
Gideon Obarzanek, Artistic Director of Chunky Move said, “Both Ben and Lee have worked on a number of occasions with Chunky Move. We are delighted to see their exceptional talent recognised in this way and look forward to seeing their further development as artists through this initiative.”
The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative was founded in 2002. The programme is organized by a specialist team based at Rolex headquarters in Geneva. Through an Advisory Board, which recommends the mentors, and expert nominating panels, six talented, young artists around the world are sought to work alongside six major artists in the fields of dance, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts for a year of intense collaboration.
Two other Australians, both from New South Wales, have already benefited from a year of mentoring in the Rolex Arts Initiative, which was launched in 2002. The Arts Initiative has six disciplines: dance, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts. With four of the total 29 protégés over the five cycles of the Arts Initiative, Australia has had more young participants than any other country in this international programme.
The protégés will each have their own individually tailored programme, providing time across the year for unique personal access to and creative dialogue with their mentor. In addition, the protégés will receive a grant of US$25,000 each and are eligible for a further $25,000 towards the cost of creating a project following their mentoring year.