Yannick ROELS

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Yannick ROELS

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Creators from abroad)
Activity Based	Brussels
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2024.5 - 2024.7

Purpose of the residency

I aim to explore Tokyo's approach to public spaces, applying my experience with European communal areas to a different cultural context. Through research and artistic interventions, this residency will enable me to investigate how Tokyo's social codes shape public interaction, offering a fresh perspective on urban communal dynamics. My goal is to reflect on the complex interplay of identity and space in Tokyo, contributing to my ongoing dialogue on urban environments.

Plan during the residency

• Urban Exploration: Conduct immersive walks and observations to understand the layers of Tokyo’s shared spaces and how they differ from Western European norms.
  
• Community Engagement: Engage in dialogues with local artists and residents to gain insights into the social dynamics of public spaces in Tokyo.
• Artistic Experimentation: Develop and deploy subtle site-specific interventions to observe their impact on local interactions and space usage.
• Creative Development: Synthesize the research and interactions into an evolving artistic project that questions and reflects the cultural landscape.
• Public Presentation: Present the findings and artistic outcomes in a format that encourages community participation and discussion.

Activities during the residency

The TOKAS exchange residency has allowed me to critically reflect on my practice within a different cultural context, focusing on concepts like “loneliness” and “encounter.” Unlike my previous works, this residency explores an “unbuilt” installation, adding a virtual layer that promotes interaction. This dynamic approach invites dialogue and fosters deeper connections among individuals.

Outcome of the residency

The residency grant has significantly contributed to my professional artistic development by giving me the opportunity to rethink my practice in a new and challenging way. My time in Tokyo has not only exposed me to a unique urban structure and cultural context but also provided deep insights into the relationship between urban design, loneliness, and community. Through my observations and reflections on themes such as urban loneliness and the rules surrounding hospitality, I have been able to develop new concepts and approaches, such as the "Framework for Encounter" and interactive installations that address urban disconnection.
In addition, this residency gave me the time to discover new tools, such as TouchDesigner, interactive design, and video mapping, which have significantly expanded my technical skills and possibilities for future projects. I also built a valuable network in Japan, including curators, artists, and representatives from museums and galleries, which has strengthened my international connections. Finally, this residency provided me with the space to reflect away from the usual hustle and bustle, giving me the necessary peace and perspective to further develop my artistic vision. These experiences will undoubtedly influence and enrich my future work.

Creator Information