the SWTB Research | 2013
>>> part of >>> OTÇOE - works for passers-by
sitting with the body is a retreat in public space.
This paradoxical endeavour researches two things at a time: the construction of choreographic images in an urban context as wel as the societal merit of artistic work. The images are inspired by the practice of yoga and intersect the daily routines of the city. They are executed several times during the day and always in a space with large windows giving out on the street, like an art gallery or a shop. Passers-by are thus confronted with a different usage of time and another kind of work. The following question arises: how do we spend our time and what does it serve?
During two test-retreats at ZSenne art lab, a gallery space in the centre of Brussels, Renée Copraij and Heike Langsdorf introduced their research by presenting the first image – their two sitting bodies – three times a day. They also started to work with other interested Brussels residents on this image. The passers-by were informed by the following little text, displayed in 4 languages (French, Arabic, Dutch and English) on the windows of ZSenne art lab.
sitting with the body is an exercise for body and mind which teaches us to 'look inward'.
Departing from this exercise we want to develop images with the body which attract the attention of passers-by and get them - just for a moment - out of their own thoughts. Like prayer-cards or mandalas they can be looked at to intensify concentration of thought and action. You can see us sitting at 8:30, 14:00 and 17:30. At other moments you see us working on other images.
In 2013 Langsdorf and Copraij are developing choreographies which will depart from this first image. They will be carried out by both of them as well as by other interested Brusseleers.
In the beginning of 2014 they will present a preview of the choreography that will stem from this research.
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>>> www.zsenne.be
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>>> Orit Sen-Gupta on sitting with the body
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Tour
30-04-2012 13 Apr 2012 : first test-retreat at Zsenne_lab / Brussels15-10-2012 19 Oct 2012 : second test-retreat at Zsenne_lab / Brussels
28-01-2013 10 Feb 2013 : RETREAT 1 at Zsenne_lab / Brussels
07-05-2013 19 May 2013 : RETREAT 2 at Zsenne_lab / Brussels
11-09-2013 22 Sep 2013 : RETREAT 3 at Zsenne_lab / Brussels
research & performance :
Heike Langsdorf
dramaturgy & performance :
Renée Copraij
co-sitters :
Gabriel Callealta, Elke van Campenhout, Kathleen Deboutte, Helena Dietrich, Katja Dreyer, Nelle Hens, Isabel Hoornaert, Dolores Hulan, Ariane Loze, Jo Massin, Gilles Polet, Christoph Ragg, Luc Emiel Rooman, Isabelle Wahedova, Dieudonné Zoko, ...
foto-montage :
Kirsten Langsdorf
photos :
Christoph Ragg
drawing :
Rudolph van Laban
translations :
Alexander Baervoets, Khadija El Bennaoui, Ariane Loze
support & context 2012 :
ZSenne-lab, Kunst/Werk, radical_hope
support & context 2013/14 :
ZSenne-lab, radical_hope, VGC - Brussel, VG
special thanks to :
Luc Emiel Rooman