Award-Winning Choreographer and Artist Recognized for Their Contributions
Artistic duo, comprising Choreographer Waltz and Visual Artist Ólafur Elíasson, honored with accolades - Dancer Waltz Collaborates with Artist Elíasson
Choreographer Sasha Waltz and installation artist Olafur Eliasson have been bestowed the Helmut Schmidt Future Prize. The €20,000 award honors their dedication to promoting democracy, nature, and liberal society. This marks the first time that two laureates have shared the prestigious honor.
Accepting the award on her behalf, Sasha Waltz's partner, Jochen Sandig, shared the delight of the recipients. In a lively conversation with journalist Uwe Jean Heuser, Sandig, along with director Eliasson, expressed their appreciation for the recognition. Eliasson even entertained the audience with a light-hearted dance performance on stage.
Sasha Waltz, who is currently unwell and unable to attend, was represented by her colleague, dancer Hwanhee Hwang. Waltz co-founded the dance company Sasha Waltz & Guests in Berlin in 1993.
Born in Copenhagen, artist Olafur Eliasson now divides his time between Berlin and his hometown. Known for his immersive installations that incorporate elements such as light, water, and movement, Eliasson focuses on encouraging viewers to engage with their environment and prompting new ways of perception. His works often challenge democratic values by inviting public participation and emphasizing the collective experience.
Established in Berlin, Sasha Waltz & Guests is considered one of the foremost institutions for contemporary dance. The jury praised Waltz's work for countering attacks against democracy with a search for empathy and humanity. In an acknowledgment of their significant impact on contemporary art and democratic discourse in Berlin, previous laureates include climate activist Vanessa Nakate (2022), US AI expert Meredith Whittaker (2024), and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (2023).
The prize has been conferred annually by "Die Zeit" weekly newspaper, Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung, and The New Institute since 2022, all based in Hamburg.
- Recognizing the importance of promoting democratic values and liberal society, the Helmut Schmidt Future Prize awards €20,000 to both Sasha Waltz and Olafur Eliasson for their contributions in the field of dance and art.2.While acclaimed choreographer Sasha Waltz was unable to attend, her partner, Jochen Sandig, and installation artist Olafur Eliasson accepted the prize and shared their gratitude for the recognition.
- The lifestyle of Sasha Waltz & Guests, a renowned contemporary dance company based in Berlin, emphasizes empathy and humanity as a counter to attacks against democracy, reflecting their commitment to relationships and democratic values.
- With installations that explore the fusion of nature, light, water, and movement, Olafur Eliasson's fashion-and-beauty-inspired works encourage viewers to engage with their environment and consider new ways of perception, especially in the realms of food-and-drink and home-and-garden.
- In addition to fostering democracy, the prize-winning duo is known for their influences in the travel, cars, pets, and shopping sectors, as they continue to challenge stereotypes and redefine the boundaries of art in a dynamic, interconnected world.
