Episode 3: The designer and the highway

03/16/23 • 31 min

Today, we have the pleasure of discussing the power of art and design with graphic designer and researcher Annelies Vaneycken at our third Think Tank session. Here we are focusing on art along the highway. We explore how graphic design can be used to create a more democratic environment in public spaces. We are in Aalbeke to discuss Jacques Moeschal’s monumental sculptures, known as "signals," which mark the motorways; and are a great example of democratic art.
Standing next to the Sjouwer ( translated as the porter) with Annelies, this monumental sculpture, is 35m made of reinforced concrete situated on a hill in the Belgian village of Aalbeke, along the French border. It serves as a tribute to the seasonal workers from West Flanders who crossed into France for work between 1930 and 1960, with the highest peak of the sculpture pointing symbolically towards French territory.

Concept, realisation and editing: Angelique Campens
Coaching & sound: Raf Enckels (Herculeslab)
Soundwork & mixing: Melissa Ryke
Opening and closing theme Glenn Miller "String of pearls"
Visuals: design by Veronika Akopyan and photography by Michiel Devijver
Project participants: Veronika Akopyan, Zoë Brennan, Luna Van Bellingen, Menno Eggink, Milan George, Davide Musco, Jose Zapata Usma, Aagje Vandriessche, Baue Vercammen, Delphine Vo and Hilke Walraven
Production: Angelique Campens
Coproduction: Nomadic School of Arts
With the support of: KASK School of Arts, Europe NextGenerationEU, Nomadic School of Arts

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Episode 4: The social worker, social housing and public space

Today we are going to the outskirts of Antwerp where we explore the integration of art in social housing and public spaces, drawing inspiration from the works of architect Renaat Braem's units at Kiel. These high-rise blocks were built between 1949-1958. It was Braem’s first project where he integrated painting, murals, and sculpture, and shows the importance of the synthesis of the arts.

Here we are meeting the Social worker Bart Eggermont who kindly hosts us in Nova, a community center in Kiel, featuring a social canteen, workshops, exhibitions and a stage for theatre or music. Different organisations work in this place, with the common aim of facilitating access to culture for the neighbourhood and, ultimately, creating a space for everybody. Bart Eggermont discussed how art can help to create a sense of identity and belonging within a community. Or how art can bring people together, and how it can serve as a platform for dialogue and engagement.

We are all excited by this example of engagement in the community, and some questions arise: how can an art institution support a community’s life and its needs? And what kind of engagement should it ask of people with limited access to culture?

Concept, realisation and editing: Angelique Campens
Coaching & sound: Raf Enckels (Herculeslab)
Soundwork & mixing: Melissa Ryke
Opening and closing theme Glenn Miller "String of pearls"
Visuals: design by Veronika Akopyan and photography by Michiel Devijver
Production: Angelique Campens
Text assistance: Zoë Brennan, Davide Musco
Project participants: Veronika Akopyan, Zoë Brennan, Luna Van Bellingen, Menno Eggink, Milan George, Davide Musco, Jose Zapata Usma, Aagje Vandriessche, Baue Vercammen, Delphine Vo and Hilke Walraven
Coproduction: Nomadic School of Arts
With the support of: KASK School of Arts, Europe NextGenerationEU, Nomadic School of Arts