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photos: Sachiko Winslow

 

radical honesty

a recap of the artist talk with Théo Demans (April 26, 2024)

by our reporter: Violeta Gamino Romero

May 9, 2024

 

 

 

at the fourth studium resort, we conversed with Théo Demans,

an artist of

sinuosity

 

 

 

    who    creates narratives

 

           blurring

boundaries between

the tangible

  and

    the         ephemeral.

 

 

with this conversation

they practised

 

RADICAL HONESTY

the willingness to confront existential questions that lurk beneath the surface of creative expression

 

 

their repertoire spans

 sculptures,

 scenographies,

spectacles

   and spaces,

 

each a testament showcasing their ability to    push

 the boundaries of conventional artistry.

 

 

SCENOGRAPHY is one of the specialisations of Demans,

                                         which to them

 

                                                              serves as

a bridge

between

 the poetic                          and                     the pragmatic,

 

a medium

                                                     through which

                        ideas find tangible form.

 

their theatrical creations, imbued with an aura of otherworldly enchantment,

>>> transport >>>

audiences to places

where reality

blurs with imagination.

 

 

yet, despite the sense of spectacle of their creations, Demans also contends with their identity as an artist and how their

work

impacts the

environment:

   taking care of the recycling of their artworks by transforming

their materiality into other art pieces.

 

within

an intense

practise

of

discovery,

by themselves and through their collaborations

they CHALLENGE

the existing norms and conventions of the ART WORLD

inspiring the new generation of artists

and

engaging the biggest events, such as the Venice Biennale (2022)

with melanie bonajo for the Dutch Pavilion.

 

 

about the concept of safe spaces Klaudija moderator of studium resort inquired what it meant for them,

       to which they answered that

            they don’t really exist, but what artists can facilitate is the willingness of relationship between the people who attend, who must be close to the processes of creation.

 

to this, they proposed a SOLUTION:

before some spectacles, creating a space of

ritual or ceremony

 in which

every attendee finds their way of feeling comfortable (safe).

< example of this could be their work « going places » with Decoratelier (Brussels) >

Demans also shared with us:

their inner self,

reflecting on how tumultuous can become artistic self-discovery and that delicate dance between creation and

‘economy’ → the profit that their art needs to make to continue living,

 apart from answering the question of their ‘ordinary days’:

 they are constantly between 3-6 projects at the same time.

 

 

Théo Demans did a residency at het resort >> No Time No Waste:

 

creating some scenographical anamorphic sculptures

made

not for a real stage but becoming the centre of attention

and at the same time

resembled BODIES

looking at

that swimming pool environment.

 

it was a really theatrical non-theatre.

 

In the end,

we are left with a profound appreciation for their artistry,

a visionary whose work embodies the essence of radical honesty

and

       artistic >>> transcendence.

 

Through their lens, we

glimpse

the infinite possibilities of the creative spirit…

 

 

––––––

 

about

Violeta Gamino Romero (2000, Spain) is currently studying Curatorial Studies (University of Groningen, Art History)

 

Theo Demans (they/them) is making sculptures and scenographies. Théo’s work revolves around transforming intangible practices into tactile, immersive experiences. Théo creates contemporary ritualistic environments that invite active audience participation, fostering moments of togetherness and collective bond. Théo is involved in various co-creations with artists, such as the duo touche-touche with Carolin Gieszner, as well as curatorial endeavors. Alongside Melanie Bonajo, they represented the Dutch pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale of Art. www.ttsdms.eu

 

Théo was part of S02E01: NO TIME TO WASTE – an exhibition at the swimming pool in 2019 w/ Elise Ehry and Willem de Haan.