A Two Dogs Company / Kris Verdonck

Info

A Two Dogs Company is the organisation supporting the artistic practice of artist Kris Verdonck and his companions (engineers, scientists, performers).

Geschiedenis

BIOGRAPHY / KRIS VERDONCK

Kris Verdonck (born 1974) studied visual arts, architecture and theatre and this training is evident in his work. His creations are positioned in the transit zone between visual arts and theatre, between installation and performance, between dance and architecture. As a theatre maker and visual artist, he can look back over a wide variety of projects. He directed theatre productions and produced various installations, a.o. 5 (2003), Catching Whales Is Easy (2004), II (2005). The first STILLS, consisting of gigantic projections, were commissioned by La Notte Bianca in Rome. In 2007 he created the theatrical installation I/II/III/IIII, while in 2008 END premièred at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Brussels. Verdonck often presents combinations of different installations/performances as VARIATIONS. VARIATION IV was shown during the Festival d’Avignon in 2008. In 2010 Kris Verdonck finished the ‘circuit performance’ ACTOR #1 which shows three variations on the theme from chaos to order. K, a Society, a circuit of installations inspired by the work of Franz Kafka premiered at Theater der Welt 2010 Germany. In 2011 Verdonck presented two research projects: TALK sets out to explore language, while EXIT, created with Alix Eynaudi, aims to tackle theatre as a medium. In the same year, his first solo exhibition was held at House for contemporary art Z33 together with a new work: EXOTE. In 2012 Verdonck created M, a reflection: a theatre production with texts by Heiner Müller and actor Johan Leysen and his digital double on stage. H, an incident, a musical theatre performance for big stage, based on the life and work of Daniil Harms, premiered in May 2013 during the Kunstenfestivaldesarts.

In 2014 ISOS will be completed, a 3D video installation based on the world and characters from the apocalyptic science-fiction novels of J.G. Ballard. UNTITLED, a new solo with dancer Marc Iglesias is Verdonck’s third solo creation and will premiere in Kaaitheater (Brussels) in October 2014.


A TWO DOGS COMPANY / KRIS VERDONCK

"Ich möchte alles, was ich fühl, nicht fühlen
und ganz allein sein. Nein, nicht ganz allein.
Ich möchte gern zwei Hunde sein
und miteinander spielen."
From: ‘Spleen’ by Friedrich Torberg

A Two Dogs Company (former 'Stilllab') is the ‘company’ run by the artist and theatre-maker Kris Verdonck. Since 1 January 2010 A Two Dogs Company receives an operational subsidy from the Flemish Government. The artistic practice of Kris Verdonck has developed and expanded in a very fruitful way over the last few years. His projects have been presented on stages as well as in museums in Belgium and abroad. This growth can only be consolidated if a small flexible organisation can follow up and structure the work on a permanent basis.

Theatre is never made alone: it is no longer the work of one young dog, but about the practice of several young dogs that play together. That’s why Kris Verdonck has chosen a new name inspired by Friedrich Torberg’s poem, ‘Spleen’: A Two Dogs Company.

A Two Dogs Company started a residency in the Kaaitheater in Brussels in 2010.

The company is structurally supported by the Flemish authorities and the Flemish Community Commission (VGC).