Headrest for Madame Butterfly

The Headrest for Madame Butterfly was originally designed by Robert Wilson and appeared on the stage of Wilson’s Madame Butterfly premiering on November 19, 1993, at the Paris National Opera. Wilson’s sculpture took inspiration from southern African headrests traditionally associated with dreaming and divination. Wilson realised this work in a sculptural edition of 3 for public exhibition.

Courtesy of RW Work Ltd.

● Type: Head rest
● Dimensions: 58 L x 1 W x 13.5 H cm
● Material: Metal, wood, lacquer
● Date: 1993

Madame Butterfly is one of the longest-running Wilson operatic interpretations, with its most recent revival nearly 30 years later in November 2019. In Madame Butterfly, Wilson and collaborators Suzushi Hanayagi and Frida Parmeggiani applied the deliberate, sparse movements and appearance of Kabuki, lending a gorgeously patient and serious cast to the Puccini opera.

WAITING with peace and darknessExhibition