Expo Zéro Artist breaks up with member of Corpus Kunstkritiek

[Daniel Bertina]

(..)

At least, that's what is felt like...

At Expo Zéro, an Asian guy introduced himself as Heman & asked me to participate in his performance. A geeky looking fellow, with dark glasses. He asked me a bunch of seemingly random questions - like an audition. The 'winner' would be invited to participate in his next performance at Expo Zéro.

Together with Flemish Fellow Travellers of Corpus Kunstkritiek I spent three days in the Springdance jungle. We went from seeing the most infuriatingly abstract of abstract dance at Expo Zéro, to the History of Dance on Film, to Meg Stuart's Fault Lines & her Damaged Goods (oh, the irony of that name, considering a vulcano cancelled her performance) , Pavlova 3'23'' by Mathilde Monnier and Dutch Maestro Hans van Manen's rejuvenation of his legendary videopiece Live.

We went from übermeta-, to modern-, to post-, to retro-dance in three days (with lots of existential discussion about the value of l'Art in these pre-apocalyptic times in between, and a resolve to better ourselves as critics, writers and human beings). Many thanks to Springdance for their hospitality.

Sadly, As you can read from the letter below. I was not a winner at Expo Zéro.

It felt like a break-up.

"Dear Daniel,

Describe a public space that you'll think of going to when you're unhappy.

Thank you so much for participating in my project at expo zéro, curated by Musée de la danse and BAK last week. Over the span of 2 afternoons, I spoke to a total of 26 possible candidates for the next edition of expo zéro.

Describe a film or performance that reminds you of expo zéro.

It was an intense experience for me, to have been involved in this intimate conversation with you. Thank you for your generosity with your memories and your words. They will remain precious to me.

Describe the person you love the most at this moment.

I am writing to you to regretfully inform you that your application to expo zéro has been unsuccessful.

Describe your first memory.

Its the first time that I'm writing a rejection letter in this somehow bureaucratic manner, as I have never been put in such a position before. I have been sitting here in a friend's apartment in Amsterdam, and pondering over the words. Over and over.

I hope you're well. Thanks again for your participation in expo zéro.

Best regards,

Heman Chong"