On Correspondence
2009 - In Curatorial Work
On Correspondence- three lectures
Tony Chakar, Eyal Weizman, Pieter T'Jonck
The Impact of the Space on the Performance
Pieter T'Jonck
24 October 2009
Rom 8
Bergen Academy of Art and Design
Pieter T'Jonck is an architect, but equally active as a dance and theatre critic for various media since 1983: Veto (1983-85), De Standaard (1985-2000), De Tijd (2001-06), De Morgen (since 2006) and Klara (since 2006). Besides, he published regularly about performing arts, architecture and urbanism in journals such as Etcetera, DWB, Ballettanz and A+, and contributed to books. From 1999 - 2005 he was teaching at the University of Ghent and he has been teaching stage design and scenography at the Academy of Antwerp.
Several thematic strands meet in T’Jonck’s oeuvre. Dance and theatre concern representation, they allow us to gain insight in the world and ourselves. In the 18th century theatre (both as space and concept) was a social laboratory in which new models of living together were being explored. Though this notion of theatre is no longer valid today, T'Jonck has a particular interest in the transformation of these concepts and practices in today’s performing arts. Fuelled by a historical awareness, newspaper reviewing is T’Jonck’s medium to probe the manifold ways in which dance and theatre create a present-day portrait of the world. Criticism as a testimony that links fascination for what is still all too close with the need to take distance and develop a language that facilitates analysis. (from Sarma.be)
The Eighth Day
God Created the World in Seven Days. This Is the Eighth Day
Tony Chakar
1 December 2009
Bergen Academy of Art and Design
The Eighth Day is an ongoing investigation, currently taking the form of a lecture-performance series, that began in the aftermath of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon in July 2006, however not directly related to these attacks. During and after the Israeli military operation, images from Lebanon's recent past (the civil wars of 1975-1990) inundated public realms (space and psyche) as well as discourse – becoming, at times, very difficult to endure –, proving that the Lebanese wars (regarded as Catastrophic) are still cast in the unspoken.
The Eighth Day weaves a collection of elements – texts, images, songs, videos, publicity spots, etc. - that are metaphorical manifestations of the space and time of the Catastrophe, and attempts to identify the necessary strategies for redeeming the past-as-image.
Tony Chakar is an architect and writer. His works include: A Retroactive Monument for a Chimerical City: Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (1999); All That is Solid Melts Into Air: Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2000); Four Cotton Underwear for Tony: Ashkal Alwan, TownHouse Gallery, Cairo, also shown in many European cities as part of Contemporary Arab Representations, a project curated by Catherine David (2001-02) and in the exhibition Closer at the Beirut Art Centre (2009) ; Rouwaysset, a Modern Vernacular (with Naji Assi): Contemporary Arab Representations, the Sharjah Biennial and Sao Paolo, S.A.(2001-03); Beirut, the Impossible Portrait: The Venice Biennial (2003); The Eyeless Map: Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2003); My Neck is Thinner than a Hair (2004), a lecture/performance with Walid Raad and Bilal Khbeiz, shown in different locations around the world; A Window to the World (2005): Ashkal Alwan, Beirut; Various Small Fires (2007): The Royal College of Art, London; Memorial to the Iraq War (2007): ICA, London; Yesterday's Man (2007): a play-performance with Rabih Mroué and Tiago Rodrigues showing in several European cities; The Eighth Day (2008): an ongoing project in the form of a lecture/performance. He also contributes to European art magazines, and teaches History of Art and History of Architecture at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux arts (ALBA).
spatial forensics
Eyal Weizman
1 December 2009
Bergen Academy of Art and Design
Eyal Weizman is an architect based in London. He studied architecture at the Architectural Association in London and completed his PhD at the London Consortium, Birkbeck College. He is the director of the Centre for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths College (roundtable.kein.org). Since 2007 he is a member of the architectural collective decolonizing architecture in Beit Sahour/Palestine (decolonizing.ps). Since 2008 he is a member of B'Tselem board of directors (btselem.org). Weizman has taught, lectured, curated and organised conferences in many institutions worldwide. His books include The Lesser Evil (Nottetempo, 2009), Hollow Land (Verso Books, 2007), A Civilian Occupation (Verso Books, 2003), the series Territories 1, 2 and 3, Yellow Rhythms and many articles in journals, magazines and edited books. Weizman is a regular contributors to many journals and magazines he is a member of editorial board several journals and magazines. Weizman is the recipient of the James Stirling Memorial Lecture Prize for 2006-2007
The seminar is arranged by BIT Teatergarasjen and Danse og Teatersentrum.
Pieter T'Jonck's lecture is part of the theatre festival Meteor 2009.
The seminar is funded by Fritt Ord.