Duration: 3 years
Client: Flemish Government / Stuyverij, Bolwerk, Constructlab, Lieve Zusjes Stoere Broers (Kortrijk), Blikfabriek, Rooftoptiger (Antwerp), De Koer, Chinastraat (Gent), Toestand & Cultureghem (Brussels)
Partners: Rooftop Tiger
Project Lead: Jan Denoo
Date: 2023
As part of an artistic research for the Flemish Government, we developed a learning network of ten socio-cultural and artistic organisations that all run an autonomous free zone in four cities around Belgium. Over the course of two years, we organised a visit per city in which we delved into the programme, management, spatial design, relationship with the city and private actors, internal governance, financial and juridical model, culture, volunteering practices and social impact of these organisations.
Based on a collective workshop, we matched challenges and opportunities between practices and cities and pin-pointed what topics should be central per city. Each city visit was prepared by Jan in collaboration with the local organisations. Each visit included site visits and interactive workshops to gather insights for every practice. All these results were gathered in a booklet that was presented to the mayer of urban development and culture in every city, during a cultural event such as a party or a movie festival. All the practices were brought together on a go cart manifestation through the city of Antwerp that arrived at the festival ‘Out Of Space’ where inhabitants around these autonomous spaces read the manifesto next to international speakers on this topic. The festival ended with an all-night party showcasing the collective power of these united autonomous spaces in Belgium and Europe.
