make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend

 

Art-LIVE in Brussels

Performatik19 showcased contemporary performance art of over 40 artists in Brussels during March 13-24, 2019.

by Sukanya GargPublished on : May 23, 2019

Performatik19 showcased contemporary performance art or 'live art'. For 11 days from March 13 to 24, 2019, artists entered a twilight zone in which they tinkered with the codes of both the performing arts and the visual arts.

Taking place in Brussels, Performatik19 presented works by over 40 artists: Alexis Blake, a.pass researchers, Bilial, Bryana Fritz, Christian Bakalov, Dan Graham & Glenn Branca, Emi Kodama, Gabino Rodriguez, Gluklya & Anna Bitkina, Ivo Dimchev, Jamila Johnson-Small, Jan Vromman, Jassem Hindi, Taavi Talve, Jimmy Robert, Joycelin Cottencin, Jozef Wouters & Globe Aroma, Laure Prouvost, Léa Drouet, Liz Magic Laser, Lotte van den Berg, Melih Genzoboyaci, Meryem Bayram & Guy Rombouts, Mette Ingvartsen & Will Guthrie, Mieko Suzuki, Mike Schmid, Naomi Kerkhove, Natalie Bikoro, Noé Soulier, Nora Turato, Oracle, Pieter van Bogaert, PRICE, Radouan Mriziga, River Lin, Sophie Whettnall, Stav Yeini, The Monastery, Ula Sickle & HYOID, and Vera Tussing.

Barbara Raes/Beyond the Spoken, U-Loss Image Credit: Courtesy of Kaaitheatre

In this sixth edition, visual artist Laure Prouvost presented her first performance work for the stage, and choreographer Noé Soulier let 20 artworks from the collection of the Centre Pompidou occupy the theatre space. Alexis Blake and Joycelin Cottelin energized art-historical works and offered a fresh perspective. Jimmy Robert, Jozef Wouters/Globe Aroma, Jamila Johnson-Small and Mathias Ringgenberg shifted the boundaries of visibility and invisibility.

Infinity, Through Art We Care Image Credit: Research Tactile Choreographies, Vera Tussing

The historical backdrop of Performatik19 is the Bauhaus movement, which emerged 100 years ago. A number of Bauhaus principles have become deeply relevant again: artisanry versus mass production, the status of the author and the collective, the arts academy as a community of artists, and bringing art closer to everyday life. In the Bauhaus movement, the relationship between bodies and space was foundational to the development of new worldviews. Death, loss and performativity were also central themes in this edition of Performatik—in March the festival also commemorated the 2016 attacks on Brussels. During U-Loss and Bardos States, Barbara Raes and The Monastery, respectively, developed new rituals around loss. Lotte van den Berg and Liz Magic Lazer explored the borders between performance, therapy and politics, while IN/FINITY looked at the intersection between care and art.

Noé Soulier, Performing Art Image Credit: Fiction, Ryuta Amae, 1998 Hervé Veronese Centre Pompido

Visitors were greeted to one-on-one performances, performances of three minutes to an entire day, rituals, performed research, concerts, videos, a parade, dance, sound installations, lecture performances, debates, constellations, exhibitions…and a party. The common element was always the live event, the encounter between you and the performer in the here and now.

The sixth edition of Performatik was organized by Kaaitheater in association with 11 partners across the city who all contributed their own expertise: a.pass, Argos, Beursschouwburg, Bozar, CC Strombeek, Centrale for Contemporary Art, KANAL – Centre Pompidou, Topaz / IN/FINITY, Wiels, workspacebrussels, and ZSenne artlab.

What do you think?

About Author

Recommended

LOAD MORE
see more articles
4977,4875,4907,5066,4946

make your fridays matter

SUBSCRIBE
This site uses cookies to offer you an improved and personalised experience. If you continue to browse, we will assume your consent for the same.
LEARN MORE AGREE