EXTRACTIONS 25
Agenda
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
Brussels
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EXTRACTIONS is an annual exhibition organized and curated by Kris Verdonck / A Two Dogs Company, and takes place in the company's studio in Molenbeek. EXTRACTIONS brings together the work of visual artist and theater maker Kris Verdonck with that of various related artists. The selection of installations, new and mixed media, photographs, paintings, sculptures, performances, and music is loosely centered around the concept of extraction and exploitation. Previous editions have dealt with mining, ecology, destroyed landscapes, (digital) waste and technology, but also with extracting sound from objects, the ritual appropriation of powers, or the sculptural shaping of dreams mined from the human brain. Old, supposedly antique objects were thus brought together with more recent and new performative and visual work.
EXTRACTIONS 25 focuses on the ‘exchange’ between recent pop culture, ancient ritual traditions, and modern and contemporary art. In this way, the old becomes ‘pop’ again and the new is incorporated into the old. This cycle challenges the idea of progress and linear growth. The works and performances in EXTRACTIONS 25 reveal this dialogue between old and new in a light, accessible way.
An important starting point for EXTRACTIONS 25 is a war shield from Papua New Guinea, which features an image of the comic book hero The Phantom. That a cartoon character from an American comic from the 1930s ends up on a traditional shield is extraordinary in itself. Perhaps The Phantom became known and loved in Papua New Guinea through American soldiers stationed there during WWII. The Phantom Shield is an example of how Western pop culture is re-appropriated and brings old customs back to the now. The power of figures such as The Phantom and the culture to which they belong is ritually appropriated, as was done with vanquished enemies and prey in various cultural practices. EXTRACTIONS 25 further explores this clash between more recent pop culture and ancient ritual traditions.
With works by Gilbert & George, Philémon Siesling, Frans Masereel, Marc Claes, Winju, Kris Verdonck and performances by Marc Iglesias Figueras, ICTUS ensemble and Spa for Spirits
PROGRAMME EXPO & PERFORMANCES EXTRACTIONS 25 @A Two Dogs Company
WKND #I - 4th Sep > 7th Sep
EXPO - WKND #I - 4th September - 18:00 > 22:00 (Vernissage) - 5th September - 18:00 > 22:00 - 6th September - 14:00 > 18:00 - 7th September - 14:00 > 18:00 - FREE admission
PERFORMANCE - WKND #I - WALL TO WALL (Première) - Marc Iglesias Figueras & A Two Dogs Company - 4th September - 20:00 > 21:00 / 5th September - 20:00 > 21:00 / 6th September - 15:00 > 16:00 - Reservations: contact@atdc.be - PWYC
WALL TO WALL brings together two projects: the short film DEMO by Belgian visual artist and theater maker Kris Verdonck and NOT TOMORROW, a new dance performance by Brussels-based Catalan dancer and choreographer Marc Iglesias Figueras
WALL TO WALL zooms in on shadow lives, the backside of the changing city in the 21st century.
WKND #II - 13nd Sep > 14th Sep
EXPO - WKND #II - 13nd September - 14:00 > 18:00 - 14nd September - 14:00 > 18:00 - FREE admission
PERFORMANCE - WKND #II - "Landscape of Safe Sensory Insulae - The Portal" - Spa for Spirits - 13nd > 14th September 2025 - Start 15:00 + 16:30 - no reservations - FREE admission
Since 2021, performers Leonie Buysse and Lili Vanderstraeten are running Spa for Spirits - a wellness center inhabited by aliens. Together with artists and experts from different artistic fields and domains of life, they create interactive and participatory installations and performances.
With The Portal, Spa for Spirits wants to explore the concept of hospitality, and build sensory-rich environments to slow down, feel ourselves again, and be in dialogue with others and our surroundings.
The Portal marks the starting point of a long-term trajectory called Landscape of Safe Sensory Insulae –a mobile rhizome of Insulae temporarily settling in diverse contexts. An Insula is a scenographic gesture and a performance ritual inspired by everyday actions we artistically want to re-imagine: hosting, eating, waiting, washing, and caring.
The Portal will be presented for the first time during EXTRACTIONS 25 in close collaboration with radical_house, Nadine and A Two Dogs Company and supported by VGC.
WKND #III - 20th Sep > 21st Sep
EXPO - WKND #III - 20th September - 14:00 > 21:00 - 21st September - 14:00 > 18:00 - FREE admission
PARTY - WKND #III - DJ NiXiE & DJ MARIONA - 20th September - 22:00 > ... @ A Two Dogs Company - FREE admission
PERFORMANCE - WKND #III - Idylle Dramatique by Ictus Ensemble - 21th September 2025 - 15:00 > 16:00 - Reservations: contact@atdc.be - PWYC
In this program, musicians Tom Pauwels & Eva Reiter perform works by French composer Marin Marais (1656-1728), played on viola da gamba and electric guitar. His opera Idylle dramatique was performed at Versailles with such great success that the crown prince asked for a reprise. Unfortunately, the music was lost. Burkhard Stangl (b. 1960), himself one of the most original guitarists, composers and improvisers in the field of experimental and electronic music, now, 340 years later, provides a subtle commentary on the music of Marin Marais.
Credits
With works by:
Gilbert & George
Philémon Siesling
Frans Masereel
Marc Claes
Winju
Kris Verdonck
Performances by:
Marc Iglesias Figueras
ICTUS ensemble
Spa for Spirits
With support of:
The Flemish Authorities, The Flemish Community Commission, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
With thanks to: Marcel Claes, Hans Segers, Steven Blum