Dialogues

Playground focuses on the experimental practices of artists who combine images, installations or sculptures with live performance. The festival brings together artists and programmers/curators, facilitating new creations and collaborations.

This year marks the twentieth edition. To highlight Playground’s unique character, we are organising three discussions on Friday afternoon, each bringing an artist into dialogue with a programmer/curator. Both have attended Playground several times and have also collaborated in other contexts.

Together, they will reflect on the challenges and opportunities that characterise the particular live practice in which they work, the role festivals such as Playground can play in the development of an artist’s practice, and the value of the networks that emerge through these encounters.

Artist Hedwig Houben presented the lecture-performance The Hand, the Eye and It at Playground at STUK in 2022. This work is part of the Flemish Community collection at M Leuven. For this edition, Houben presents a new installation and performance, developed and previously shown by Bétonsalon, centre d’art et de recherche in Paris. Houben will be in conversation with Bétonsalon’s director, Émilie Renard.

Evelien Cammaert is performing at Playground for the third time. This year, she presents her new creation Trees and Memories, which centres on extensive interaction with visitors. Mesut Arslan mentored her during the creative process and also curates a variety of festivals and programmes focusing on experimental and live art practices.

In 2021, artist Nefeli Papadimouli took part in Playground with her work Skinscapes. She now presents her first solo exhibition in Belgium at M. During Playground, two works from the exhibition will be activated. Papadimouli will be in conversation with Keren Detton, director of FRAC Grand Large in Dunkirk, who has been supporting her practice for several years and has acquired works by the artist for the collection.