Feral 2023: 10 days of School of Nomadic Urbanism and 2 days of international encounters on the role of art in the urban fabric, for a sensitive city. |
Somewhere between cracking asphalt and plankton, Feral consists in 10 days of sensitive sharing, experimentation and reflection with the aim of leaving behind the measured, framed city and rethinking public space as shared. This year's programme begins with an invitation to Stalker, an Italian collective of artists/activists/walkers, to set up its School of Nomadic Urbanism in Brussels. When looking for a base for this school, the Marais Wiels (the Wiels marsh) was the obvious choice. In fact, Stalker is involved in a twin project in Rome, Italy, dedicated to the defence of the Lago Bullicante, a lake "reclaiming its rights".
The Marais Wiels is a topical area for local struggle and the social and sensitive creation of the city. It is from this sensitivity that we are drawing the thread. What role can sensitivity play in the urban fabric? How can artists be involved in the making of the city? What are the dynamics and strategies deployed by artists, curators, activists and elected representatives to achieve this?
Using the Marais Wiels as a case study, Feral looks at the development of new urban imaginaries. Who has a say? What is the state of interaction between politicians and citizens? What role does art play in all this? Can art open up new ways to build a sensitive city?
Feral will conclude with two days of reflection and artistic encounters on 15th and 16th September, addressing the role of Art in the making of the city, and a day of collective artistic action on Sunday 17th September.
