On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, the American Academy in Rome awarded its highest honor—the Centennial Medal—to the artist William Kentridge (2011 Resident) and the theater director Peter Sellars for their contributions to art and culture. Recognized as one of the most celebrated artists of our day, William Kentridge produces work that combines the personal and the political in an ingenious use of charcoal drawing, animation, film, and theater. Known for ground-breaking interpretations of classic works, opera, theater, and festival director Peter Sellars is one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the performing arts.
The annual Tribute Dinner, chaired by Trustee Mercedes T. Bass, took place at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. On this special evening the inimitable John Guare acted as Master of Ceremony and set the evening’s festive tone. Brazilian opera star and Broadway sensation Paulo Szot introduced William Kentridge, and Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer Prize novelist Toni Morrison introduced Peter Sellars. Trustee Robert Storr and Alice Waters decorated the honorees with their medals on the Academy’s behalf.
Academy Fellows, Residents, and Trustees figured prominently among the more than 230 guests, including Nancy Kissinger, Chuck Close, RAAR’96, Fred Wilson, Anna Bulgari, Joel Shapiro, RAAR’99, Angela and Rea Hederman, Paul LeClerc, Richard Meier, RAAR’74, Michael Graves, FAAR’62, RAAR’79, Thom Mayne, Morley Safer, Barbara Goldsmith, Lynn Nesbit, Mary Miss, RAAR’89, and Maira Kalman.
Both presenters paid tribute to the honorees, recalling their respective collaborations. Paulo Szot decribed the experience of working with Kentridge on the artist’s production of Shostakovich’s The Nose. Szot stated, “William directed us and used us like his pencils and tools. He sculpted characters inside a living frame, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and stage.”
Of Peter Sellars Toni Morrison said, “I have learned the excitement of collaborating with him, of having my talents, expanded, challenged, reinforced, liberated by a master with insight, patience, and I think, unsurpassed theatrical gifts.”
The evening was not only a salute to the honorees, it was also a celebration of what the Academy represents – an institution that for over 118 years has nurtured artists and scholars, providing a meeting point for the intersection and fermentation of ideas and creativity.
It was precisely this meeting point that William Kentridge remarked on when reminiscing about his experiences as a Resident at the Academy in the summer of 2011. “I think it is unique to have such a sense of possible transmission from different generations, from different kinds of expertise. It was not a model I have found in any educational academic institution, but was a kind of [a] model of a real transmission of ideas and enthusiasm … and for this I am grateful,” he stated.
In accepting his medal Peter Sellars also acknowledged the Academy. He commented, “I know that what moves the world forward is to gather outstanding people and let them finally meet each other, because the results will be a breakthrough for the planet. That is what the American Academy in Rome does every day.” Sellars concluded, “ The world will be saved by people meeting and talking. The world will be saved by intelligent people finally meeting each other, by gifts moving across disciplines, across cultures, across every border that we try and erect between people.”
The tribute dinner raised in excess of $750,000 for the Academy’s ongoing operations in support of its mission of fostering the arts and humanities. The Academy is thankful to all who those who supported the event, the most important fundraiser of the year.
An audio recording of the honorees: