A Flemish pavilion for Dubai 2020

Dr. Chokri Ben Chikha (KASK/School of Arts/HoGent) and his theatre company Action Zoo Humain were selected to design a Flemish Pavilion for the World's Fair in Dubai in 2020. In order to decorate the pavilion, the company follows different research paths. Until 2020, Action Zoo Humain is looking for contributions from the cultural, scientific and economic fields, among others. The results of this multidisciplinary research will crystallize in the Flemish Pavilion in Dubai in 2020.

Flemish Pavilion

In a first research phase, the group consulted the 'ordinary Flemishman and woman' with Flemish Pavilion; a route of performative lectures, interviews and surveys, which started in CC De Westrand in Dilbeek. What is typically Flemish? What defines our Flemish identity? With the help of the Flemish population, Action Zoo Humain collected the most unique Flemish objects for the pavilion and sought out what Flanders can do for the rest of the world - and especially for Dubai.

The Procession

In 2018, after the popular consultation, the company sought input from scientific sources at a new research stage. What does Flanders excel in? What does Flanders have to offer to Dubai?

Flanders has been producing the most brilliant artists for years. Dubai, a young emirate, yearns for authentic art and talented artists. What if we could give Dubai the DNA of our greatest artists? With the help of Prof. Dr. Petra De Sutter and her IVF team (UZ Gent), Action Zoo Humain has been investigating the possibilities of biotechnology since 2018 in order to enable the sustainable export of Flanders' main product: the artistry of our most gifted artists. If researchers succeed in uncovering the genetic basis of artistic talent, we can use carefully selected seed and egg cells to spread artistic superiotity from Flanders to Dubai and the rest of the world.

During the opening weekend of NTGent in 2018, the company brought the first seed and egg cells for the pavilion with The Procession of St Bavo's Cathedral to the Arca Theatre, where the creators unveiled the preliminary design of the Flemish pavilion for Dubai 2020.

By sharing the different research stages in the process of the Flemish pavilion with the public in the form of interventions and performances, Action Zoo Humain raises questions about nationalism, derailed capitalism and the 'marketing' of art.