Liesje De Laet
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Wellness Centre Future Proof
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Atmospheric Measurement Program
Project Der Dingen
My work develops from a fundamental fascination with invisible belief and knowledge systems. Especially phenomena concerning intangible relationships, energy flows, spiritual animism. ‘The invisible’ is also inextricably linked to ‘shadow worlds’ in which, for example, power structures and conspiracy theories conceal themselves. The knowledge systems and conceptual frameworks of these immaterial but sensitive world(s) are dissected and digested. Together this forms the starting point for a non-anthropocentric worldview contemplating and speculating on current affairs such as climate change, and the effects of late capitalism. The generated information feeds back into the site specific [local] context in which the artistic work takes place. Thus creating an own belief system which develops from associative and symbolic reflections to a larger narrative.

The works can be seen as ‘analog hacks’: disguised as a shaman, cook or manager the “naturalness” of the surrounding world [context] is unraveled, thus showing a multitude of parallel realities, a polyphonic sur-reality. By doing so I test the elasticity of the concept ‘artist’. Whilst consciously navigating between both the artistic and non-artistic field, being an artist becomes a roleplay too: I appropriate marketing strategies and production ideals in a game of copy-paste identities and bodies. Critical reflection forms the connecting core on which my practice is built. It is a quest for polyphony within one practice(voice?), but also for the conditions, limits and emergence of co-authorship.

My practice is a networked whole where individual works function as meaning-making actors rather than as autonomous products. They assume different ‘applicable’ qualities charged with meaning. The works formalize as the development of corporate identities, semi-fictive archives, artifacts and documentation but also as the creation of multiples and products that are subject to a self-faded logic. Sometimes even a title, word, label or description can be interpreted as individual work/actor. They are then used in different contexts and assign a certain layer of meaning to a situation, installation, performance or product. With their emphasize and representation of an invisible belief-system, the actors refer to the usage of the ‘spell’ or ‘ritualistic tool / symbol’. Very often they are acting as an animistic character with its own consciousness and voice.

Performativity, bodywork, ‘treatments’ and storytelling are combined with different scenographies, constellations and dialogues between the object-subjects. It is a constant co-creation with the audience: the attention and imaginative power that lies in the eye of the beholder is essential for the completion of a story, a life-affirming practice on the edge of reality and fiction.
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The Garland Strategy
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