KITCHAIN

Artefact Festival Notes #11

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

After the post dedicated to the unCloud project, we would like to share two more projects: Time/Bank by Julieta Aranda & Anton Vidokle and Macht Geschenke: The Making of Capital by Christin Lahr. The two art projects deal with money and time.

As you can read in the program: ”Time/Bank is a platform for cultural and arts communities where groups and individuals can pool and trade time and skills, bypassing money as a measure of value. Time/Bank is based on the premises that everyone in the field of culture has something to contribute, and that it is possible to develop and sustain an alternative economy by connecting existing needs with unacknowledged resources.
Time/Bank is a platform for cultural and arts communities where groups and individuals can pool and trade time and skills, bypassing money as a measure of value. Time/Bank is based on the premises that everyone in the field of culture has something to contribute, and that it is possible to develop and sustain an alternative economy by connecting existing needs with unacknowledged resources.”

For Macht Geschenke: The Making of Capital, the artist Christin Lahr took over the chair of the mayor of Leuven and spent the first week of the Festival at her workstation in one of the exhibition spaces, continuing her meticulous work. Quoting, once more, the festival program about the work she presented: “since May 31, 2009, Christin Lahr has been making daily money transfers of 1 cent to the German Federal Ministry of Finance, thus helping to counter the growing mountain of debt in small doses. In the field “reason for payment”, she always writes 108 characters from “CAPITAL: A Critique of Political Economy” by Karl Marx. That way, bit by bit, the entire text of the book will be transferred into the state’s central account via online banking. The transmission of the roughly 15,709 cents and 1,696,500 characters will take about 43 years.”

We had the opportunity to talk with Christin about her work and we were the lucky ones to receive two original screenshots of the money transfer she made. Her idea is actually to substitute the money transfer numbers with the name of the people who have received them.

Video

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Artefact Festival Notes #9

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Another morning in STUKcafé…

Artefact Festival Notes #8

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Sunday KITCHAIN! Eight adults with two children at one kitchenette. Among other things they wanted to grill some turkey at the outdoor grill but after a while they have decided to grill it inside! Too much rain in Leuven! At the other kitchenette a really nice surprise: a couple coming directly from Wuppertal to eat at the KITCHAIN! The evening was really nice and friendly!

We were able to carry out Freeman mission because many people made their promises! And it’s always special to have children running around the KITCHAIN! We ended up playing on the Pedro Reyes see-saw “Leverage” (a post about his wonderful piece soon!!!)!

Artefact Festival Notes #7

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

On Saturday, we had the pleasure to spend a wonderful KITCHAIN evening with Davis Freeman, his daughter, or as he introduced her to us “my assistant” and other 6 guests! The evening started with “Promises” and we need to explain this concept a little bit: it’s a really simple and great idea, he asks people to make promises that will contribute to a more sustainable world, like: “You promise you will take a shower just for 2 minutes for 1 week… You promise you will buy just second-hand clothes for 1 month…” and so on… If people agree they sign a paper and they will get a badget…and a free shot of vodka! Us and many people eating at the KITCHAIN made promises and the atmosphere was great! We also played a multiple choice quiz related to the environment and after a delicious shortbread, made by Davis daughter, we ended up singing a karaoke version of “I will always love you”! Thanks a lot Davis!

Artefact Festival Notes #6

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

We would like to share with you some projects here at the Artefact. The first is the unCLOUD project by INTK (Rui Guerra) and the Antisocial Notworking by various artists, curated by Geoff Cox/Arnolfini. The unCLOUD is an application that enables anyone with a laptop to create an open wireless network and distribute their own information. You can download the software or you can just connect to the unCloud wireless network. Check it out!

Artefact Festival Notes #5

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

On the fourth day, 6 people have cooked two delicious salmon improvised recipes at the Do-It-Yourself kitchenette and at the outdoor grill. They were quite happy with the result and they have even left the KITCHAIN with the leftovers!

Video

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Artefact Festival Notes #3

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Do-It-Yourself KITCHAIN is officially open and what a great start!
At one kitchenette the artists Sarah Vanhee & Kristien Van den Brande and two persons who joined them…who are actually the cooks of a very famous restaurant in town! At the other kitchenette the Kitchain team - us, Thomas and our guest Yari.

We had to challenge ourselves with radicchio, fennel, beans, aubergine, figs, almonds, chicken, tempeh and other many delicious things! The two kitchenettes gave each other advices, shared ingredients and cooking skills and, of course, got to know each other! It’s really nice to see two professional cooks at work at the KITCHAIN kitchenette! You can see but, unfortunately, you cannot smell our first Do-It-Yourself KITCHAIN night! Tomorrow there is more! Come!

Artefact Festival Notes #2

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday was Artefact opening in STUKcafé. Some pics of the night:

Artefact Festival Notes #1

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Since saturday we are in Leuven to do the Kitchain installation for the Artefact Festival. Tomorrow will be the first day that we will be in action but the tables are already assembled in the space. Bellow you can see a few images of it. We will post daily here in the blog during the entire festival (14 - 23 February) to give a full insight of Kitchain and the Festival. Stay connected.

This is the end, my friend!

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:06:00 +0100

Saturday, 2nd July

Already the last day of the BBI Festival 2011… Last time Pascal brings the WC signal out

Lot of work makes a lot of dirt - let’s clean!

But it’s still time to get yourself involved

… For example for the Do-it yourself kitchen! Just like our Spanish-German-Swiss trio of tonight!

While my guitar gently weeps

And because this is our last post on this blog, we would like to thank all the beautiful people that worked for the festival! Thank you guys, it was a pleasure to go all through this with you!

Pascal, your best friend to get into the shows

Need a pass? Just call Damian!

Matthias bubbles your life

Laurent shines your day

Cosima and Patricia know how to make your dinner better!

Big up Djemal! You rock!

Jean, kitchen chief

Thank you Maïté for the good mood!

Even without her longboard, Isabelle surfs on the wave

Michi touched the sky, but discovered the ground again…

The BBI effect on Jérôme, the most incredible designer

Thanks to Charlotte we’ll have beautiful souvenirs of the BBI

Bob and Tom, our Mascot, still to give

Mathias, the money and moustache keeper of the festival

Laura will make your poll happy

Céline made it possible

Thanks Annique for the music!

Maximum respect to Claudia and Olivier!

Thanks to all the people who made it possible and that we forgot to mention… And thanks to YOU for this wonderful edition 2011!

See you next year!

Adele, Olivier, Nassim and Antoine

The Kitchenette is not for sale!

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:29:00 +0100

Friday, 1st July

HOPE… The word that makes you…

…hungry! Today is the VIP Apéro. Champagne, caviar, salmon and cacahuètes.

Oh no no no, these are the plates that our “Chefs en Herbe” prepared for their own pleasure. Here is the real apéro:

The Friday Kitchenette Team excelled in their preparation up to…

…sharing the housework!

The new generation is ready to take over: imagination takes off

The BBI Festival makes people happy…

… and the VIP as well!

How would it be different with such a lovely Kitchain Team?

Let’s have a last drink before taking part of The Great Public Sale Of Brilliant But Unrealized Ideas

The show that will take place in the Belluard Tower is ready to rock the house, with its classy Deco and the crazy outfits

In the Kitchain, everybody’s getting ready for the long night to come

The Bellubar has been enough refilled to make your throat satisfied!

Have fun @ BBI 2011 and see you tomorrow!

Want to be part of the fun? There’s still a free Kitchenette this Saturday!

Call us: +41 (0)26 321 24 20

Write us: reservations@belluard.ch

Big up

Kitchain in motion

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:47:00 +0100

Kitchain in motion

No Conflict At The Kitchen

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:44:00 +0100

Thursday, 30th June

The world was invited at the kitchen: Iran, Afganistan and the USA meet each other. The country of Kitchenette was also present with first class ambassadors.

The place was full so we came back to the Kitchenette…

…on the way we met Jean, The One And Only BBQ DJ…

Passing near the ready-made kitchen, we resisted…

Les deux équipes du jour en plein coup de feu…

Et en train de savourer le fruit de leur labeur:

Find the error on this picture

Tant qu’on y est, un peu de protest art

See you tomorrow!

Oh, there’s some place left for the Do-it yourself kitchain. But hurry up.

The rain is falling but fortunately we have some pasta

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:12:00 +0100

Wednesday, 29th June

Lost in the jungle, seeking for an escape…

Oh my god, a monster! Let’s flee!

…Rescue is coming…

Finally we reached the refuge! The Kitchain and its peaceful inhabitants, the socalled “cookers”, always there to restore our power.

The salvation for the adventurers: The Holy Gift Of Earth, pastas freshly hand made by Magic Vincenzo (just call him Magic)

The contest was hard for the Kitchenette raiders, who took up the challenge, despite they have no pasta (As you can see, i love pasta)

The inspiration flies in the air…

The secret to eat well is to eat clean…

… and together!

Let us introduce the Kitchenette team: Adele, Olivier and Antoine

Don’t be sad, the sun will rise up tomorrow and we’ll be there to welcome you!

Kitchain't got no blues

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:42:00 +0100

Tuesday, 28th June

Of course no blues, it’s summer time, we can enjoy meeting people, and talking; seeing, hearing and feeling great shows; tasting and smelling the wonderful meals of Jean, Arnaud, Maïté and their team; trying, discovering and sharing the surprises in the basket of the kitchenettes.

Isn’t life at the Belluard great? Ouuuuuuuuuh Yeah!

Beaucoup d’enfant présents au festival ce mardi. L’intérêt pour l’art n’attend pas le nombre des années et c’est tant mieux.

The cook team, kings of barbecue, where did they find a cat of this size?

Please, please don’t do the same with us.

Spices in the dark

Spices in the light

Two groups were present to take up the chalenge and to celebrate a birthday

It was her birthday, maybe the reason why she’s hiding under the table

It looks just perfect, a great job from the Kitchain adventurers

Happy bellies, happy faces

We have the evidence that a man can do the washing up

I.. th…think it.. ti..time to go back home… b..but where do i l..live?

Quand les bénévoles se reposent on voit....

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:51:00 +0100

Monday, June 27th

It was break day for the staff of the Festival Belluard Bollwerk International and where did we spend this day at the Belluard of course…

Sally: The white wine is better than the red one

Maïté:I don’t think so, red is always better

Jérôme: The lines are better horizonzal

Claudia: No way they have to go in every directions

The president in action

The president in action bis, she can do everything

And when she talks everyone listen to.

The dream team

An intense discussion

Two wonderful smiles

And the glamorous couple of the year.

During the 2011 edition of the Festival Belluard Bollwerk...

Wed, 25 May 2011 13:32:00 +0100

During the 2011 edition of the Festival Belluard Bollwerk International, the Kitchain will be there again, with either the option to taste the delicious meals of Arnaud Nicod, Jean Piguet, Maïté Collin and their team, or the challenge of cooking yourself what is in the surprise basket. Adèle, Olivier and Antoine will be very pleased to welcome, help and guide you in this culinary adventure, in which you will be the performer.

See you there.

The First days of Festival Belluard Bollwerk International 2011

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:35:00 +0100

Sunday, June 26th

A sunny day that brought us a group to cook at the kitchenette and a chinese family for a mandarin lesson.

Arnaud, Jean, Maïté and their team magic cooking team follow the mood of the evening and made the visitors to enter directly into a journey to China.

Une petite erreur, “poisson” a été calligraphié selon le style Ming du IIè siècle alors que le reste est en style Hun-Ha du IVè siècle. Nous ne leur en tiendrons pas rigueur.

Among the group which came to cook, there were a cooker and for the first time someone discover which recipe we use to compose the surprise basket. Well done!

reflexion action

tasting in a nearly religious atmosphere

satisfied in green, less satisfied in white, jealous in purple and attentive in white.

Doesn’t it looks great?

Monday is break day I hope you could have rest, get energy, tan and come back on Tuesday fresh like the woken up cherry tree blossom in the cool spring morning breath.

Saturday June 25th

Ready, set, Kitchenette!

Today is the first day for the do-it-yourself Kitchain. The team and baskets of food are ready. We are waiting for the fist courageous explorer of the cooking mystery.

Le Festival vous propose des performances, de la musique, du théâtre, de la danse et….. des animaux domestiques. A moins que ça soit le contenu du panier surprise…

No doubt, in case we know where it is. I would guess it’s Jérôme work

Cooking in the dark? Hum what a good idea!

Tonight you would have to cook this…. and what for tomorrow?

The first cook adventurers arrived in family and every one did its task th e best as

possible and in fact, as you can see….

here is the result Zucchine felice

The second group was smaller but not less efficient

it’s not their collaboration that is fuzzy, just the picture

MMMMh looks good and tasty

The groups at work, no kidding.

Who’s next?

Friday, Ju n e 24th

The Festival Belluard Bollwerk International has begun with some official and some

more musical speeches , even a super-hero

and the Kitchen has opened its door with a wonderful buffet cooked by Arnaud, Jean, Maïté and their team. Here are some pictures:

Aller puiser des amuse-gueules, qui éveillent autant les papilles que l’imagination, dans des bocaux ressemblant aux récipient du laboratoire d’un chimiste fou, le tout baigné dans une vapeur fantasmagorique s’écoulant en cascades des table; il n’en fallait pas plus que l’on pense que le cuisinier fût Tim Burton.

The visitor refound their childhood spirit while entering in this coloured and surrealistic eating room, where the dishes feed the eyes before to fill the belly. Miam.

Claudia and Penelope are very concentrated on the speech.

See you tomorrow

Thursday, June 23rd

One day left before the beginning of the Festival Belluard Bollwerk Internationnal. One day left before the clouds leave, the sun comes back, the door of the Belluard opens, the Kitchain unveils its green-turquoise tables and the Shows start. After the rain comes HOPE.

Friday, June 17th

I found a tower I’m no more far. I already smell the flavor of happenings

It’s a hard way to reach the Belluard Bollwerk but it’s worth..

Belluard Arsenal watch after your festival and your Kitchain because Here I am…

…in few seconds I’ll be in…

The door is locked…. How can I get in and enjoy the Festival?……

It seems that I’m not the only one who is impatient about the openning of the festival. Some have already tried to get in…

…I miss one week, The Belluard Bollwerk Festival begins on June the 24th. Get Ready!

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L’édition 2010 du Belluard Bollwerk International : c’est déjà fini!

Il est vrai qu’il a effectivement pris fin samedi soir passé; mais il m’a fallut deux jours pour m’en remettre…. Tout comme Mister John, chef cuistot de son état, qui songeait sérieusement dimanche en fin de matinée, à s’en aller faire une retraite silencieuse d’une semaine. Mais ça ne sera pas pour tout de suite car demain déjà tu remets ça sous 4 vents avec un sanglier à la broche!! Courage à Jean et Arnaud..

Was this 2010 edition a success? There are different ways to take that question into consideration. Has the Bellu financially succeeded? I do not know the answer. Let’s ask Matthias about it, later. Was it an artistic success? The answer to that question depends on the opinion we - the audience - have made during the festival. The brilliant performance of Reggie Watts surely did help finishing the festivities on a very positive note, artistically speaking. Now, what about the human side of this edition? Was the Bellu, and more specifically the KITCHAIN, a social success? Well here, without hesitation, the answer is YES. Thanks to each and everyone who took part in the happenings of this original Art festival!

N’en déplaise à Mister Y, le festival du Bellu ce n’est pas seulement un lieu où l’on vit l’art, mais c’est aussi un coin où l’on pratique un certain “art de vivre”. Le cadre idéal du quartier d’Alt avec son calme et ses arbres - que Couca à pu sauver de la coupe grâce à sa verve diplomatique - ainsi que le temps estival ont aidé à ce que l’ambiance reste animée au KITCHAIN durant toute la durée du festival.

Pour un rapport détaillé des critiques concernant les performances artistiques, adressez vous directement aux spécialistes (ou à Y, si vous le connaissez); et pour que cet agréable “art de vivre” ait été possible ces quelques jours, soyez félicités braves gens! Artistes, collaboratrices et collaborateurs, public, flâneurs et passantes.. Brave a tutte e bravi a tutti!

Benedetta y Antonio: la madre y o pai of the KITCHAIN project

Jean, docteur ès épices

Isabelle is on fire!

Arnaud, the charming chef

La Pau y…

..la Ale: Viva Chile mierda!

Helen, bosseuse et toujours souriante

Mathias et Matthias: no sé de que estaban hablando pero parecia serio.

Benou l’inspiré

Philippe le philosophe

Michi le magicien

Basil (au premier plan), écoutant un habitant du quartier d’Alt qui apprécie le lieu

dj Mara aux platines

Que l’on s’en foot ou non, le cadre toute fois bien agréable…

Les MetM’S: trois petits Suisses floutés

Saluons la bonne prestation de Pénélope et Fernando

Performance innofficielle en parralèle: il était possible de faire un tour sur le tapis volant piloté par Philippe et Laurent afin de s’adonner à l’art du débat philosophique.

Sally, leader of the Belluard Festival team: Well done Sal!