In the present context of unprecedented restrictions of public life and repressive politics to control the current health crisis, artist Katya Ev together with Netwerk Aalst decided to organize a performative walk. Three performers will silently and separately depart from different parts of the city of Aalst holding blue flashing lights, hereby following all current regulations.

This walk relates to the Augenmusik (Paris, 2016), a work by Katya Ev presented at the exhibition New Songs for Old Cities at Netwerk Aalst where twenty-four performers departed simultaneously from each of the twenty-four “entrances” to Paris. Holding blue flashing lights in front of them, the participants walked from the Parisian ring towards the city center. The performance triggered a strong reaction that revealed the sense of panic embedded in society.

Indicated on the map of Aalst are the different trajectories of the three participants with their symbolically selected starting points. The light-bearers who lead the way represent a perspective on the medical sector, discrimination, gender, police violence, wealth inequalities and public life. You can follow them live online or encounter them in the streets of Aalst.

The current covid-related measures are taken through a logic of emergency, crisis and necessity, but cause alarming situations in numerous other domains. Already for a longer time, authorities have embraced a ‘state of exception’. Conceived by the artist to not go against any applicable law, the walk makes visible to what extent the authorities themselves walk on the border of legislation.

The performative walk coincides with Still Standing for Culture and the World Day of Social Justice.

STARTING POINTS OF THE WALK

Action store
Kapiteintjesstraat 11/4, 9300 Aalst

Low-budget chain store situated straight in front of the Aalst police station. The route passes through the wealthy area of the city, its historical center with the Grote Markt and the vivid shopping streets.The performer will put the light on inside Action at 18:00 sharp.

Distance to Netwerk Aalst: 1,4 km

OLV Hospital
Moorselbaan 164, 9300 Aalst

Large and renowned medical centre that serves the wider Aalst area. The excellent reputation of the cardiology department and robotic surgery have contributed to the decision to nickname Aalst City of Care (‘Aalst Zorgstad’). In October 2020, the city’s major preferred not to accommodate Covid patients from Brussels here.
The route to Netwerk passes through the mixed working class area on the East side of the river. The performer will put the light on inside the reception hall accessible through the main entrance at 18:00 sharp.

Distance to Netwerk Aalst: 1,3 km

Bus station
Busstation, 9300 Aalst

Part of the central transport node of the city of Aalst which also includes the train station. At present, this is certainly the most lively location of Aalst. The bus connections are particularly important to serve the working class commuters.
The route to Netwerk passes by the Town Hall of Aalst and the bridge that connects the West and East sides of river Dender. The performer will put the light on Platform 1 at 18:00 sharp.

Distance to Netwerk Aalst: 0,6 km

PERFORMERS

Aline Hernández (Mexico, 1988) is an art historian, curator and editor currently based in Brussels. Her research focuses on the emancipatory potential of photography for repressed groups of people. Since 2015, she has been part of artists’ and activists’ groups in Mexico and as a journalist has collaborated in amplifying numerous social struggles in the context of Mexico.

Mia Kreutz (Belgium, 1995) is an apprentice guitar builder and a musician formerly working in the cultural sector in Brussels. Originally from a rural German-speaking part of Belgium, she is a transfeminine who strongly believes in gender and racial equality, and a libertarian socialist feminist who is no stranger to police confrontations.

Hadassa Ngamba (Congo, 1993) visual artist currently based in Ghent. Through paintings, drawings, videos, installations and performance Ngamba reveals indicators of capitalist factors for controlling strategic spaces, notably land and mineral resources resulting in poignant social and environmental issues in Congo. Ngamba studied Criminology at the University of Lubumbashi where she specialised in Interior Security.

Practical

Saturday 20 February, 6 PM

In the streets of Aalst, live on our facebook- and instagrampage

Katya Ev’s project Augenmusik is part of the exhibition New Songs for Old Cities at Netwerk Aalst until 28.02.2021. New Songs for Old Cities marks the beginning of a structural collaboration between Netwerk Aalst, HISK and Stad Aalst.