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 meetings 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), La Strada, Graz (AT), Ruhrfestspiele (DE), in Bruges (BE), Lithuania (LT), The Netherlands ….:
Fecha | Localizacion | Información |
---|---|---|
Domingo 28 abril 2024 | Brugge | |
ércoles 8 mayo 2024 | Brugge | |
ábado 11 mayo 2024 | CIRKL, Leuven | |
Domingo 12 mayo 2024 | CIRKL, Leuven | |
Martes 14 mayo 2024 | Brugge | |
ábado 18 mayo 2024 | Biennale, Esch (LU) | |
Viernes 24 mayo 2024 | Kroonmolenwijk Sint-Niklaas | |
ábado 29 junio 2024 | Geleen (NL) | |
Domingo 30 junio 2024 | MoMeNT-festival, Tongeren | |
Viernes 5 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
ábado 6 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
Domingo 7 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
Lunes 8 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
Martes 9 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
ércoles 10 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
Jueves 11 julio 2024 | Quebec, Canada (CA) | |
ércoles 14 agosto 2024 | Féron'Arts, Féron (FR) | |
Jueves 15 agosto 2024 | Féron'Arts, Féron (FR) | |
Viernes 23 agosto 2024 | Gothenburg Dance & Theatre Festival, Sweden (SE) | |
ábado 24 agosto 2024 | Gothenburg Dance & Theatre Festival, Sweden (SE) | |
Viernes 30 agosto 2024 | Freedom Festival, UK | |
ábado 31 agosto 2024 | Freedom Festival, UK | |
Domingo 1 septiembre 2024 | Freedom Festival, UK | |
Viernes 6 septiembre 2024 | Fira Tàrrega (CAT) | |
ábado 7 septiembre 2024 | Fira Tàrrega (CAT) | |
Domingo 8 septiembre 2024 | Fira Tàrrega (CAT) | |
Jueves 31 julio 2025 | 31/07 - 3/08 option Stockton UK |
Authors: Dieter Missiaen en Els Degryse
Artist: Dieter Missiaen
Text: Els Degryse / Kommil Foo
violin: Anna Buevich // Anouk Snack
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.