MEDIATHEK

Benjamin Verdonck (1972) is an actor, writer, visual artist and theatre- maker, the latter both in the regular auditorium (Nine Finger, Global Anatomy) and in the public space (Bara/ke, a tree-house in the middle of the city; Hirondelle/Dooi Vogeltje/The Great Swallow, a 32m-high bird’s nest attached to a building). His work reflects a strong political commitment, not because it speaks out vehemently about the social reality, but because it relates to it with enigmatic images and gestures. It is radically disarming rather than pugnacious. ‘My work will soon be the ultimate pursuit of gentleness. Art is pointless but that is its highly subversive position and strength.’ 2009 was devoted entirely to KALENDER (CALENDAR), Verdonck’s cycle of ‘actions’ in the public space. Indeed, the public space became the centre of his artistic practice for a year, beginning on January 3rd 2009. (quelle: http://contemporaryperformance.com/2011/04/08/in-performance-benjamin-verdoncks-global-anatomy-amsterdam-netherlands/)