U, Nu!
11.May – 24.Aug.24

Seven theatre companies from Mechelen, each with their own history. Theater De Moedertaal, Theater De Peoene, Toneelkring Ik Dien, Voor Taal en Kunst, Theater Korenmarkt vzw, Jong Maar Moedig en Koninklijke Theater Vereniging De Dijlezonen.

With the help of the heritage unit Mechelen each of them dove into their history for ‘U, Nu!’, in search of play fragments, props, posters, programs and stories.

The members were interviewed and the backstage searched through to make a snapshot of what remained of their past.

Spread over three different exhibitions and theatre plays everything that was gathered will be presented to a broad audience.

In The Sleeping Stage of Things Juan Pablo Plazas reflects on the stories hidden in the objects.

Plazas playfully questions the way we look at objects the moment we place them in an art space. Suddenly they get to play a different role, as something that’s invaluable.

On this installation you will see both props as objects that have helped shape the identity of the different companies, all placed next to eachother.

It’s an experiment in which everything is staged, even the scenografie of the museum. When we don’t use them they are sleeping, but by placing them on the artscene they come back to life.

Commissioned by Erfgoedcel Mechelen and Kunsthal Mechelen