BREAKFASTCLUB is an inti­ma­te mee­ting with an artis­tic pro­po­sal and with each other. During a mee­ting at an unu­su­al time with a snack and a drink as a bin­ding fac­tor, other ways of sha­ring, loo­king and expe­rien­cing beco­me pos­si­ble. Gouvernement’s con­cept com­bi­nes artists’ pre­sen­ta­ti­on moments with a mode­ra­ted con­ver­sa­ti­on on the the­mes evo­ked by the works on show.

In the con­text of Africa is/in the Future, a yearly festival presented by La Bellone in various locations in Brussels to highlight the initiatives & artistic proposals of Black and Afro-descendant people/artists from the continent and diasporas, we put­ together a program on double consciousness.

“Double Consciousness”—a term introduced by W.E.B. Du Bois to describe the internal conflict experienced by marginalized groups in a society that imposes dominant narratives. In other words; the need to reconcile one’s identity with societal expectations while striving to maintain an authentic sense of self.

This conversation will delve into the challenges faced by black and afrodiasporic artists, who navigate the dual realities of being marginalized within broader societal structures and often find themselves further marginalized within their own artistic communities.

We will explore how these artists experience and navigate this “margin within a margin.” We will discuss the consequences of being confined to specific topics, the pressure to represent entire communities, and the impact of these constraints on their work, identity, and artistic development.

After an audio-poetic intervention from Nesindano Namises, whose work is deeply rooted in these questions, we’ll collectively make space for an extract of the echoing performance Movements of Soul by Christian Yav.

All this will prompt a conversation, moderated by Eric Cyuzuzo and joined by dancers and choreographers Soa Ratsifandrihana and Oulouy.

BREAKFASTCLUB IS

Lauren Borremans, Vincent Focquet, Marie Umuhoza en Nele Keukelier

WITH

Christian Yav, Soa Ratsifandrihana, Oulouy, Nesindano Namises and Eric Cyuzuzo

A PROJECT BY

Gouvernement

WITH SUPPORT OF

KAAP, VIERNULVIER, STUK, Campo, De Studio, het Theaterfestival, Rekto:Verso, Universiteit Gent en De Vlaamse Gemeenschap