Neighbourhood project and audio data-base, Schaarbeek, BE, 2009 – 2012

Go to project website of la Langue Schaerbeekoise

The project ‘Language of Schaerbeek’ collects words that are used by different groups of people living around the ‘Cage of the bears’ as Place Verboeckhoven is commonly known. Arab, Turkish, Dutch, Brussels, Swahili, Spanish, Polish are just a few of the languages that accompany the main language French. The dictionary is an open for change, flexible and organically growing collection of recordings of spoken words.

The project is organised by Constant in the framework of the neighborhood contract Navez-Portaels. Supported by the Brussels region and the commune of Schaerbeek.

Walking with Crispin, Dordrecht, 2005

Forgotten stories are re-discovered, tales are told and new myths are constructed during three walks through the Dordrecht neighborhood Krispijn (Crispin). The project website contains lots of info, Dutch only.

Audio CD / 40 minutes / 2001 / stereo / no dialogue

The tracks on this audio cd contain 28 attempts to record a bird in my garden singing a compilation of the most popular car alarmsounds in the neighbourhood; a sonic hide and seek between nature and machine. The was first made public as part of the installation Side Walk.

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Rotterdam, 2000, Audio CD + installation / 18 minutes / 2000 / stereo / no dialogue

From an interview with Freddie Mercury all spoken words are erased, leaving only the accidental and non-intentional sounds which Mercury makes. Intensely mute and non-verbally communicative.

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Asking for directions

Den Haag, 2000, audio cassette installation, 45 minutes, dutch spoken.

This work was made by asking for directions to the gallery where it was shown. The contradictory instructions form an auditive detour through the center of The Hague.

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