Open Call Gaasbeek lab 2025
In the week of May 19, P.A.R.T.S. is organising a thematic lab on dance and nature in collaboration with De School van Gaasbeek, guided by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Corentin Hannon, Eva Fillet, Peter De Schepper, and Charlotte Cétaire. The lab will be based at the Groenenberg Castle and the surrounding grounds in the Pajottenland region.
In recent years, physical labour in the open air has increasingly become a source of inspiration for Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker: the bodily practice of working the land, using tools as extensions of the body, the close interaction with horses and pack animals as companions in cultivating the soil… In 2023 and 2024, she already organised two masterclasses in collaboration with Corentin Hannon. Under the title “Manual labour, horse work and dance,” they brought together a diverse group of dancers and non-dancers with a shared interest in fieldwork and agriculture.
You can watch video documentation by Evi Cats on the 2024 edition here.
For the 2025 edition, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker now invites the students of the P.A.R.T.S. Bachelor program for a week of movement sessions inspired by traditional agricultural techniques. How can we (re)connect our bodies and the environment? How can we slow down in a world full of impulses?
From May 19 to May 23, residents of the Pajottenland region are also welcome to take part in the afternoon program of the thematic lab. Every day, accessible workshops will be organized for a broad audience. Participants can explore various agricultural techniques, such as mowing grass with different scythes (guided by Peter De Schepper from Le Pic Vert), and ploughing the land with horses (guided by Corentin Hannon and Eva Fillet from Cordeva). On Thursday evening, there will also be a collective singing session led by Lydie Thonnard.
Interested in joining? Please fill out this form before Tuesday, May 12 (midnight). Places are limited.
We look forward to welcoming you!
P.A.R.T.S. & De School van Gaasbeek
Previous editions of Gaasbeek lab in 2022, 2023 and 2024
For 3 consecutive years, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Corentin Hannon initiated the workshop ‘Hand power, horse labour and dance’ as part of P.A.R.T.S. SummerProgram. They gathered a diverse group of dancers and non dancers, who shared an interest in outdoor labour and agriculture.
During the workshop participants started the day with movement sessions for dancers and non-dancers alike, guided by Charlotte Cétaire and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. In the afternoon they explored some (traditional) techniques stemming from agriculture under guidance of Anne Teresa herself and Corentin Hannon: scything guided by Kevin Lambeets of ‘Zeis en Bijl’, wood lumbering, haymaking as well as pulling exercises with draught horses guided by Corentin Hannon & Eva Fillet from Cordeva.
During the workshop participants got to work outdoors in a small community, learned how to make fire, learned macrobiotic cooking under the guidance of Valentina Nelissen and spent time on the field whilst exploring a range of techniques and repetitive movements.
Watch the trailer of previous' editions here and here.
Read more about the first edition in Rekto:Verso
Credits
Initiators: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker & Corentin Hannon
Collaborators:
Kevin Lambeets / Zeis & Bijl (scything)
Eva Fillet & Corentin Hannon / Cordeva (horses)
Charlotte Cétaire & Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (dance)
Valentina Nelissen (macrobiotic cooking)
Production: P.A.R.T.S.
In collaboration with: Rosas & De School van Gaasbeek
With the support of: School van Gaasbeek, Rosas, ATDK Foundation
Funded by: Microproject-Pajottenland+ (VLB)
