Underneath Which Rivers Flow

‘One day, a large banner suddenly appeared on the facade of the Decoratelier, showing a virtual vision of what the neighbourhood might look like in the future. The studio and its surroundings had been replaced by a large park. That same day, I met a group of people from Globe Aroma and we decided to dig a hole towards this future park that, right now, is still an old factory. In the enormous void we taught each other to build out loud: a form of construction in which there is no difference between speaking, dreaming and building. Gradually an alternative park took shape, a park where memories and imagination intermingle, a secret garden filled with shadows and a jumble of grey zones. As yet I understand little of it, but it seems to be a place where people can decide for themselves whether or not to be visible or invisible, and this in the heart of the city.’ – JOZEF WOUTERS

For a year, Decoratelier Jozef Wouters worked with Open Arts House Globe Aroma on Underneath Which Rivers Flow. A group of women and men – builders, poets and dreamers – met weekly in the Decoratelier in Molenbeek. Together, they built stories, a secret garden full of wormholes to unsuspected worlds. Underneath Which Rivers Flow was selected for the TheaterFestival 2019, and is now opening this Kaaitheater season.

• The socio-artistic workplace Globe Aroma enables people to learn about the richness of other people’s cultures and creates opportunities for refugees and newcomers with artistic ambitions. Decoratelier is a project in constant development by scenographer Jozef Wouters. From old industrial buildings in Brussels, he launches various projects in collaboration with a heterogeneous group.