bench invasion – the art of listening
In this performance, I go with 10 people, each with a bench under their arm, into public space. We actively invite people to come and sit next to us. We build the benches. We sit, we slow down. We are present, we listen.
At the end of each encounter, we invite that person to a final moment later that day. After each encounter we move. We take the bench under our arms and walk on in the public space looking for a new person.
At the final end of the performance, we all come together: the bearers of the benches and the sitters. Bystanders are also invited.
We turn the benches into one long table in the public space.
With words, music (violin) and with a glass, we toast to the beauty of small encounters and life.
After, the communal table turns into benches again. The square is empty and everyone continues on their own way.
Central themes are connecting people (again), being present and celebrating, and all of this happens in public space.
Central themes are (re)connecting people, being present and celebrating, all happening in the public space.
Photos of the invasions at the Oerol Festival (NL), London (UK), Fira Tarréga (CAT), Gothenburg (SE), La Strada, Graz (AT), Ruhrfestspiele (DE), in Bruges (BE), Lithuania (LT), The Netherlands …”:https://www.facebook.com/Bank-contact-106588178168008
Datum | Ort | Info |
---|---|---|
Dienstag 12 November 2024 | Antwerpen | |
Dienstag 19 November 2024 | Antwerpen | |
Freitag 22 November 2024 | Antwerpen | |
Sonntag 24 November 2024 | Antwerpen (BE) | |
Samstag 26 April 2025 | Option | |
Samstag 3 Mai 2025 | Option | |
Sonntag 4 Mai 2025 | Option | |
Montag 5 Mai 2025 | Option | |
Donnerstag 5 Juni 2025 | Option | |
Donnerstag 5 Juni 2025 | Option | |
Freitag 6 Juni 2025 | Option | |
Donnerstag 31 Juli 2025 | 31/07 - 3/08 option Stockton UK | |
Dienstag 7 Oktober 2025 | Lieux publics, centre national des arts de la rue et de l’espace public // Marseille (FR) - option 7-13/10 | |
Montag 13 Oktober 2025 | Lieux publics, centre national des arts de la rue et de l’espace public // Marseille (FR) - option |
Authors: Dieter Missiaen en Els Degryse
Artist: Dieter Missiaen
Text: Els Degryse / Kommil Foo
violin: Anna Buevich // Anouk Sanczuk
Bench design: Marec Zeghers (zitter.be)
With the support of Perplx, Miramiro, CirkLabo.
Many thanks to Craig Weston, Sander Decuyper, Stef De Blieck, Marec Zeghers, Michael Minjauw, Lowie Vandenberghe (House Of Time Brugge), Gwendolien Sabbe, Martine Linaer-Gijsen, Tanja Ruiter, Wendy Moonen, Oerol Festival, Uitwijken – Brugge Plus, Te Gek!?, CC De Spil Roeselare, CC De Steiger Menen, Centre des arts de Rue – Ath, L’attitude 50. And all bench carriers.