The Watermill Center, a renowned interdisciplinary arts institution, has recently appointed Charles Chemin as its new artistic director. This significant announcement comes after the passing of the center's esteemed founder, Robert Wilson, in August 2025. Chemin, a long-standing collaborator of Wilson, is set to uphold and evolve the center's unique vision for experimental art and global collaboration. His appointment marks a new chapter for Watermill, promising a continuation of its foundational principles while embracing future artistic explorations.
Charles Chemin Takes the Helm at Watermill Center
In a pivotal development for the arts community, the Watermill Center, located in Water Mill, New York, has named Charles Chemin as its artistic director. Chemin was personally selected by the late founder, Robert Wilson, for this prestigious role prior to Wilson's demise in August 2025. Chemin will collaborate closely with managing director Elise Herget and curator Noah Khoshbin to steer the institution's artistic direction.
Chemin's relationship with Robert Wilson began in 1992, the same year Wilson established the Watermill Center. This enduring partnership nurtured Chemin's artistic growth, leading him to direct numerous independent productions at esteemed venues such as La Pergola National Theater in Florence, Avignon Opera, Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, and the Performa Biennial in New York. Starting in 2009, he also co-directed several notable works with Wilson at Watermill, including "Mary Said," "PESSOA," and "Krapp’s Last Tape."
Reflecting on his early experiences with Wilson, Chemin described the Watermill Center as a "factory or a laboratory," a spirit he intends to preserve. William Campbell, Chair of Watermill's Board, expressed confidence in Chemin's leadership, stating, "His profound comprehension of Robert Wilson’s vision, coupled with his own artistic rigor, guarantees that the Center will continue to flourish as a hub for experimentation, interdisciplinary dialogue, and international cooperation."
Chemin plans to sustain Watermill's tradition of inviting a diverse array of artists to present their experimental works. He emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes artists from all backgrounds and horizons. Since 2020, Chemin has also served as the artistic director of the center's International Summer Program, a role that prepared him to guide Watermill's future trajectory following Wilson's departure.
Chemin affirms that Wilson's artistic legacy remains central to the center's mission, even as it looks towards nurturing the contemporary artists of tomorrow. He views Wilson as a "poet of the stage and of the visual arts," leaving behind a fundamental vision upon which new creations can expand and evolve.
This appointment signifies not just a transition in leadership but a commitment to preserving and advancing the innovative spirit that Robert Wilson instilled in the Watermill Center. Chemin's deep roots in the institution and his own artistic prowess promise a vibrant future for experimental arts.
The appointment of Charles Chemin as artistic director at the Watermill Center sparks a compelling dialogue about legacy, innovation, and continuity in the arts. It highlights the delicate balance of honoring a founder's vision while simultaneously fostering new directions. Chemin's long-standing collaboration with Robert Wilson offers a unique advantage, allowing him to embody the institutional ethos while bringing his own creative insights. This transition serves as a powerful reminder that true artistic institutions are not static; they evolve, adapting to new generations of artists and ideas, yet always remaining tethered to their founding principles. It will be fascinating to observe how Chemin navigates this path, ensuring the Watermill Center remains a beacon of interdisciplinary experimentation and global artistic exchange.