Filip Van Dingenen & Hélène Meyer

For the opening of the art parcours we are invited to a special brunch involving seaweed cuttings, ceremonial tastings and conversation. It is hosted by Solektiv in collaboration with the Platform for Algae Diplomacy, an open initiative created by a variety of marine plants together with artists, activists and other critters. We will taste seaweed and talk about the inclusion of their rights and spirits in the larger ecological map. We will learn about their relationship with river algae and how this is entangled in an ecology of sensorial practices, using the river as a pedagogical model. We will exchange rituals and algal narratives; we will hear about the need for equality amongst the planet’s multiple voices. 

The brunch is served in ceramic sculptures that have been made for and are embedded in the values and ecosystem of the Sonnenpark. These have been prepared, together with local chefs (Doro Klaus), for sharing seaweed and algae dishes mixed with narrations from seaweed communities around the world. After the brunch, the ceramic set will become an installation that is occasionally activated. 

The Platform for Algae Diplomacy studies the rights and the spirits of seaweed and shares its enormous and often unappreciated power. In fact, microscopic algae are the source of more than half of the world’s oxygen. They use photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide into biomass and release oxygen. Algae are the fastest growing food product in the world. They also provide a basis for ecological research and are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds with antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial or antineoplastic properties. Algae offer solutions that enable us to eat differently in response to climate change. A brunch, an installation and a series of walks invite us humans to form a new alliance with these extraordinary organisms in order to challenge the alienation of contemporary life from the environmental cycle.

(Joanna Warsza) 

Special thanks to: Doro Klaus (Seedose/Odysee, St. Pölten) and Marion Aeby

Hélène Meyer

Hélène Meyer (1993, Oupeye, BE) is a Belgian artist who lives and works in Brussels, studied painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. Her practices is mainly dedicated to painting, ceramics and collective research projects. Hélène Meyer joined The Platform for Algae Diplomacy in 2020 and creates “ceremonial banquets”, performative ceramic installations & seaweed recipes in collaboration with bread makers, artists, scientists and seaweed harvesters. Her work was presented among others at Superdeals Brussels, CC Strombeek Brussels, Pilar ><crosstalks University Brussels, Frans Masereel Centrum.

Filip Van Dingenen

Filip Van Dingenen is a multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of the Ecole Mondiale in Brussels. He was a researcher at LUCA School of Arts in Ghent/Brussels and an affiliated researcher at the Laboratory of Education and Society at KU Leuven. He was a researcher at the Jan Van Eyck Academy (2013), associate artist in residence with Mark Dion at ACA (2008) and developed projects in Artist Residency Programs at Irish Museum of Modern Art (2008), Wiels Art Center (2009) Banff Arts Center (2013), Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle (2015) and worked in Ireland, Argentina, and Equatorial Guinea. He has written numerous articles for journals and magazines and has authored several artist books. His works and performances are presented at 4th Istanbul Design Biennial (2018), Biennale de Casablanca (2018), LIAF, Norway (2017), Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren (2013), Museu da República, Rio de Janeiro (2009), Centro Cultural Español en Bata (2008), Santa Monica Art Center, Barcelona (2006), 7hours Haus19 - Humboldt University & Museum for Natural History Berlin (2005).