Artefact 2020 : Alone Together

‘There are so many things that art can’t do. It can’t bring the dead back to life, it can’t mend arguments between friends, or cure AIDS, or halt the pace of climate change. All the same, it does have some extraordinary functions, some odd negotiating ability between people, including people who never meet and yet who infiltrate and enrich each other’s lives. It does have a capacity to create intimacy; it does have a way of healing wounds, and better yet of making it apparent that not all wounds need healing and not all scars are ugly. - Olivia Laing. (2016)
The lonely city. Adventures in the art of being alone, p.280

In February 2020, Artefact: the exhibition and festival focusing on contemporary art, current events, and societal challenges, will zoom in on ideas of solitude and togetherness in contemporary society.

Under the title Alone Together, the exhibition aims to look into questions such as: What does contemporary solitude mean? How does it relate to feelings of loneliness? Can we consider loneliness not in individual terms, but as the result of more structural forces, be they social, cultural, economic, technological or architectural in nature? How do we connect in today’s society? What is the quality of our interactions / connection, and which role do (social and communication) technologies play in this?

The exhibition aims to shed light on these sensitive questions. The works presented might potentially be confronting, though they might also offer hope, and maybe offer some consolation even if it is only momentaneously.

Artefact is more than an exhibition. A diverse program of concerts, club nights, talks, films and workshops allow you to discover the themes and topics of Artefact in a different way.

ARTEFACT SOUND

Inspired by the theme ‘Alone Together’, Artefact Sound focuses on solitude and togetherness in relation to sound. Whereas artists such as Jenny Hval, Casual Gabberz and De zwarte zusters put emphasis on the connecting force of music, others like King Midas Sound, Hantrax or Mette Rasmussen & Drone Operatør are meditating through sound on a state of loneliness or the inability to communicate.

With Ben Bertrand, Casual Gabberz, Céline Gillain, De zwarte zusters, Eartheater, Hantrax, Jenny Hval, King Midas Sound, Maria W. Horn, Mette Rasmussen & Drone Operatør, Mika Oki, Phillip Jondo, Rumours, Slagwerk DJ’s. Discover the full programme

GUIDED TOURS

A guided tour is a great way to discover the theme and the artworks of Alone Together. Our guided tours in Dutch and English are free but registration is required:

Dutch

English

Family guided tours

The guided tour for groups are fully booked for Artefact 2020.

With the support of the Flemish Government, the City of Leuven and KU Leuven (Art & Science)