Curators Watou 2023 announced!

Like last year, the poetry will be designed by Michaël Vandebril. This edition, he again goes full steam ahead with the cross-pollination, between place and poets, between visual art and poetry. “The poets create a new poem or text, inspired by the artworks and conversations with the artists. In this way, the interplay between visual art and poetry is ensured.”

Loes Vandromme, alderman for culture city of Poperinge: “After edition 2022, we heard praise for the renewed concept from all sides. The new creations and the link between the village, visual arts and poetry were the trump cards of Watou 2022. For us, a clear signal that we had to continue in that direction.”

To continue the formula for success, a third edition of Patchwork has already been launched. Koen Vanmechelen remains inspirer of the project. “Last summer, several artists camped in Watou for a second time. Inspired by their experiences in the village and during the festival, they worked out new project proposals. From these, a nine-member jury selected about 20 works that will be elaborated and shown at the arts festival this summer.” A new open call to participate in this unique research project will be launched in March.

Arts festival Watou 2023 will be given the baseline /kom.po’zi.ci.o:/. Edith Doove clarifies, “The word underlines that things should be brought together while maintaining their heterogeneity, their diversity. Moreover, it is linked (in English) to composure or calmness; it has clear roots in art, painting, music, theatre and dance and is thus connected to choreography and scenography. The recently deceased French philosopher Bruno Latour, in his Attempt at a ‘Compositionist Manifesto’, also makes the link with compromise and compromising which implies a certain diplomacy and caution. But playing further, he also arrives at the ecologically sound compost and de-composition of various invisible elements. In composing, there is always a certain amount of risk, it can succeed but also fail. But at the very least, there is an attempt to constructively construct with a view to creating an engaging whole. At the same time, it is a theme that is close to people and also leaves room for playfulness.”

The arts festival will take place from Saturday, July 1 to Sunday, September 3.