/kom.po’zi.ci.o:/

Watou 2023 is given the theme /kom.po’zi.ci.o:/. The concept refers to French sociologist Bruno Latour. “In this specific era, characterised by the consequences of the so-called Anthropocene with an undeniable warming of the climate and a war that is coming very close to our doorstep, according to Latour it is more important than ever to make well-considered choices, to compose,” says Doove. “The choice of Composition as the name for the festival derives from both a full consideration of the principle behind Patchwwwork and the work of the chosen Patchwwwork artists themselves. The idea of careful composition, attentive observation of the local in interaction with the global, collaboration and exchange is always present therein.”

“Not only does the world have something to teach the village, but also vice versa. The global only exists because of the generosity of the local,” Koen Vanmechelen says. “That formed the basis for my inspiration of Patchwwwork; a research project on what the next editions of Watou could look like. After two editions, I see a clear triptych emerging; Sense of Place showed the works in dialogue with their surroundings and explored the position of art (and the arts festival) in the world. This year, we go to the core and the focus is on development; forming the right composition. After the next Patchwwwork process, I believe we are going to be able to offer an answer to the question of what Watou can mean to the world, and we will be ready to go public with something new.”