OPEN CALL A Line, a Word, a Sentence. by Yael Davids (at Playground)

We seek 10 participants for a 20-minute performance by Yael Davids, A Line, a Word, a Sentence., presented at Playground 2024. This piece, where performers hold panels with cut-outs for their lips, explores themes of censorship and resistance against oppression. Participants will move through the space and form spatial compositions. Originally presented at Playground in 2007, this work is more relevant than ever today. In reaction to extensive atrocities committed by Israel upon the Palestinian people and the lack of critical rebuke, Yael Davids shows how resistance can be expressed when
systematic oppression is difficult to articulate in words.

For the 18th time, two major art houses in Leuven, the museum M and arts centre STUK, are joining forces to organise the international performance festival Playground. For four days, visitors will be immersed in an exciting mix of performance and visual art. Artists and visitors from all over the world will come together to explore the boundaries between different art disciplines and challenge us to look at art and space in new ways.

Requirements
- All ages, backgrounds and body types are encouraged to apply.
- All rehearsals will be conducted in English.
- Participant must live in Belgium.
- Attendance at all rehearsals is mandatory.
- Participants must be able to stand still while holding up a panel where only the mouth is cut out. Vision is very limited.

Key Dates
- Application Deadline: October 28, 2024
- Callbacks: October 31, 2024
Ten performers will be selected.

Rehearsal Schedule
Wednesday November 13, 2024
09:00 – 13:00 Introduction
Lunch
15:00 – 18:00 Rehearsals

Thursday November 14, 2024
11:00 – 13:00 Rehearsals
Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Rehearsals
Break

Performance schedule during Playground festival
Thursday November 14, 2024
19:00-19:20
19:40 – 20:00

Friday November 15, 2024
12:30-12:50
15:00-15:20

Saturday November 16, 2024
12:30-12:50
15:00-15:20

Compensation
The selected performers will receive a total amount of 500 euro (VAT incl.) for rehearsals and performances during the festival. Payment can be through invoice, an organization or interim contract. There is a separate budget for travel expenses within Belgium and catering during the festival days.

Application Process
If you’re interested in taking part, please send a brief introduction about yourself and why this project appeals to you to jolien.denijs@mleuven.be by October 28, 2024. No prior experience is needed – we welcome everyone and are eager to hear from you!

About Yael Davids
Yael Davids (ISR/NL) approaches the human body as an object, as space and as architecture. The artworks she creates are autonomous as well as objects used by performers. In recent works, Davids explores notions of protest, conflict or emptiness and tensions between a group and the individual, people and space.

For any questions please contact jolien.denijs@mleuven.be.
We look forward to hear from you.