Are you Allergic to the 20th Century? by frederique de montblanc

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO THE 20TH CENTURY?

Frédérique De Montblanc Madaleine Trigg

Nadine is an arts laboratory aimed at developing research focusing on transdisciplinary experiments in the fields of new media and live arts. Nadine is a flexible and evolving project that doesn’t shy away from questioning itself, to be able to stay on top of the constantly changing needs of the artists

This catalogue documents Frédérique De Montblanc and Madaleine Trigg’s work during their residency at Nadine and was made for the end presentation that took place on Thursday, October 4th, 2012.

Plateau is an arts laboratory for research residencies in which the artist and his/her project take centre stage. This space is primarily geared towards performance, media and installation art.

Herdersstraat 30 rue du Berger – 1050 Brussels

Printed on Riso at Nadine in 50 copies

Frédérique De Montblanc and Madaleine Trigg share a common interest in exploring and subverting the resonances of materials and their impact on body and scenography. For their first collaboration, they reflected on spaces that can both constrain movement and offer new performance possibilities. Their dramaturgical research focused on cases of environmental disease, cabin fever, the impact of solitary confinement in prisons, artificial gravity, insomnia, the history of monomania in art practice and the tension between domestic and artistic routines.

10/2012 — Brussels

During their initial residency at Nadine, they designed a series of experiments for each other. Specifically responding to the site of Plateau, they composed confined spaces which they filled with familiar yet dislocated objects. In this fabricated domesticity, they explored new interactions between space, body, props and documentation. Indeed, these surreal domestic settings created novel living spaces in which the body was faced with new constraints and the mind with a fresh set of rules. Inhabiting the cupboard under a sink or the awkward square centimeters around a toilet became an exercise in preparing for the apocalyptic future. Indeed, as World population growth accelerates, we must train ourselves to function in increasingly small spaces. For their second residency, composer Loup Mormont was invited to extend these experimentations through sound. By adding environmental soundscapes, Loup investigated how to sonically re-shape space and analyze its effects on the physical and emotional behavior of the performers. Madaleine and Frédérique also confined Loup’s sonic language through various prompts and surprise impositions.

Dimensions: Length × width × height

Design: Marie Lécrivain

Please do not try these experiments at home.

1st Residency June 2012 CONDITIONS OF THE EXPERIMENTS A/ Each experiment was video documented on mini DV tapes. B/ The set and props were photographed before and after the experiment. C/ The framing of the video/ photographs were determined by the participant designing the space. D/ The performer was responsible for turning on and off the video camera. E/ Performers had to write in their journal after the event.

Nadine

1/ Neon is the new Sun: There should be no access to natural lighting. Artificial and practical light prevails. 2/ body × body × body: The space shouldn’t be larger or longer than the taller performer’s body length. The space should be at least the height of the taller performer’s body when raising their arm straight up in the air. 3/ Limited Amenities: The performer will be given either one type of food or one type of drink. Two or three props will be added to these vital necessities. 4/ Artificial Reality: The only window to the world, the time of day or the season will come through sound and artificial light only. 5/ One hour day: Each performance will be one hour long.

1st Residency

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Experiment 1: 04/06/12 The staircase leading down from Nadine’s office. Completely wrapped in white cloth so that it is enclosed. 436 cm × 73 cm × 99 cm 1 black umbrella

Madaleine’s bedroom 401 cm × 337 cm × 207 cm 2 cans of 500 ml Red bull 1 bar of soap 1 brown elastic band 2 mattresses hung from the ceiling

Experiment 3: 07/06/12 (a) Back toilet 145 cm × 89 cm × 207 cm 2 mugs of black Lipton tea 1 sieve filled with red onions 1 scourer Toilet paper replaced with white masking tape.

Constructed space 138 cm × 99 cm × 200 cm Green fake grass carpet covering the floor 1 Piggy bank (filled with euro cents) 1 Percolator 15 clear plastic cups 9 white plastic spoons 1 grey dustpan and brush

Experiment 2: 05/06/12 Shower in Madaleine’s room 88 cm × 88 cm × 211 cm 576 different coloured children’s building blocks (covered the entire floor of the shower) 1 banana 1 bottle of chocolate milk 1 toothbrush

1st Residency

The technical storage corridor 448 cm × 81 cm x239 cm 1 tin of lychees 8 mattresses 1 wooden hammer tied to a pink cord

Nadine

1st Residency

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Experiment 5: 08/06/12 Corridor by front toilets 336 cm × 88 cm × 197 cm 1 ironing board 4 confectionary watches/necklaces 22 cheap white balloons 10 large egg crates

Constructed space 167 cm × 116 cm × 200 cm black couch fills the space 1 box of tissues 1 pepper grinder 1 roll of scotch tape

Experiment 4: 07/06/12 (b) Constructed space with pole dancing structure in the middle 264 cm × 325 cm × 225 cm 10 wedding dresses 700 toothpicks 45 tea lights 1 jar pickled ginger

On top of the sink in Madaleine’s bathroom 183 cm × 59 cm × 126 cm 2 bags of crisps (in sink) 4000 boxes of matches (in sink) 1 rolling pin 1 pink swimming costume (belonging to Madaleine) 1 pair of sequinned high heels (belonging to Madaleine) 1 bronzer with make up brush

Experiment 6: 12/06/12 On top of the sink in the kitchen 181 cm × 60 cm × 62 cm 1 kg bag of Carrefour self raising flour 1 white toilet roll 1 red tape measurer 14 pegs (4 blue, 3 red, 7 yellow)

1st Residency

Nadine

Constructed space 167 cm × 116 cm × 200 cm black couch fills the space 1 hole puncher 1 tube of Colgate tooth paste 2 dummies (1 pastel blue, 1 pastel green)

1st Residency

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Experiment 8: 19/06/12 (1st experiment with soundscape) Constructed space 100 cm × 128 cm × 200 cm filled with a stainless steel table 1 packs of 60 Cystine B6 Bailleul Zinc pills 4 effervescent Dafalgan tablets 1 roll of clingfilm 1 can of squirty cream 1 bag of ice cubes

Experiment 7: 14/06/12 Constructed space 100 cm × 128 cm × 200 cm filled with a stainless steel table 650 Kruidvat sweeteners 1 roll of clingfilm 1 can of squirty cream 1 bag of ice cubes

1st Residency

Under the sink in Madaleine’s bathroom 183 cm × 59 cm × 79 cm 1 water filter filled with diluted milk 1 broken keyboard 1 plastic measuring jug.

Nadine

1st Residency

Frédérique’s space

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Experiment 9: 19/06/12 (2nd experiment with soundscape) Constructed space 167 cm × 116 cm × 200 cm black couch fills the space 1 plastic cup filled with Gina lemon instant tea granules 1 × 12 ml tub of Nivea creme 1 roll of bandage pastel coloured cotton wool puffs

(Duration: 20’23”)

(Duration: 21’25”)

Experiment 10: 24/06/12 Front toilet 153 cm × 80 cm × 203 cm 1 block of butter 1 can of hairspray 1 jar of 6 Carrefour wieners 2 fly swatters (1 green, 1 red) 7 corks Sound recording of Frédérique’s Sound recording of Madaleine’s dream house dream house

1st Residency

Nadine

1st Residency

2nd Residency September 2012 Sound Propositions for SOUND EXPERIMENTS —iTtunes is in the midst of destroying all the classical music files on the internet. In 24 hours classical music will be extinct. —Create sound obstacles in the space. —The soundtrack for a porno movie for rabbits. —You are commissioned to create a musical overture for a neo fascist Olympics, where do you start? —The soundtrack for shopping in supermarket aisles. —The feeling of the first pill you ever took on a night out. —Attending a birthday party with 12 screaming 5 year olds, high on cupcakes and jelly. —A labyrinth, where every time you turn the walls have disappeared behind you. —A sonata for outer space. —You create a piece for a person who has been deaf since birth. —A room gradually filling up with water until you drown. —Soundtrack for a headache. —Zombie perverts took over the sound system. —The walls are burning, a tornado is on its way. Nadine

—What would you play to remind an amnesic of his childhood? —An evening lullaby for a baby rhino. —The first slow you danced on —You can’t afford to buy her flowers, how would a bouquet sound like? —Choose a pointer: pick a body part or movement that you will respond to. For example: the left foot moving. And see how long it takes us to realize it/act upon it. —A question —The sound of sunrise. —You just woke up and you’re 50. —A dog spa. —Compose a soundscape for illegitimate couples in motel rooms. —Light. —A meditation tape before going to the dentist. —The birth of radio wave. —Music for a wedding. You secretly hate the bride.

2nd Residency

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Experiment 1: 11/09/12

Experiment 2: 12/09/12

Odd small corridor (in between a wall and a glass window) in Madaleine’s new apartment at Nadine 189 cm × 47 cm × 111 cm 1 bar of soap 1 roll of blue electrical tape 1 roll of red electrical tape 1 knife 1 pack of 5 Bubblicious bubblegum 1 neon 1 bedside lamp Remix of soundscapes from the first residencies sonic experiments.

Constructed space in Madaleine’s old bedroom, divided so that the performers had an equal sized space 201 cm × 152 cm × 207 cm 1 box of Kellogs Rice Krispies 1 pillow 1 board with protruding wooden pegs 2 towels 2 portable neons 1 bedside lamp Advertisement soundtracks: Narta (1988) (EU) Ricoré (1982) (EU) Biscuits Bamboula (1990) (EU) Ferrero Rocher (1990s) (EU) Carambar (1990s) (EU) Ajax (1964) (US) Toilet Duck (1992) (NZ) Pledge (2000) (US) Febreeze (2000) (US) Anti Itch Lanacane Cream (1998) (US) Lysol (2000) (US) Loup records Frédérique pouring milk onto a bowl of Rice Krispies. Loup records Madaleine running her fingernails across a radiator.

2nd Residency

Nadine

2nd Residency

Frédérique’s space

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique’s space

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Madaleine’s space

You are commissioned to create a musical overture for a neo fascist Olympics, where do you start? The soundtrack for shopping in supermarket aisles.

Experiment 3: 17/09/12 Constructed space in Madaleine’s old bedroom, divided so that the performers had an equal sized space 201 cm × 152 cm × 207 cm 1 bag of toffee popcorn 1 750ml tub of extra strong yellow styling gel 1 set of 8 cookie cutters 80 green paper cupcake holders 10 pairs of size 6 plastic gloves

1 roll of red rose gift wrapping paper 1 roll of red electrical tape 1 blue plastic swimming cap 4 packets of Cent Wafers 1 plastic fake cactus plant (which lights up) 1 duvet 2 portable neons 1 bedside lamp

iTunes is in the midst of destroying all the classical music files on the internet. In 24 hours classical music will be extinct. Create sound obstacles in the space. The soundtrack for a porno movie for rabbits. 2nd Residency

Nadine

2nd Residency

Frédérique’s space

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Madaleine’s space

Experiment 4: 19/09/12

Frédérique’s space

Frédérique and Madaleine’s space

Madaleine’s space

Frédérique picks 3 sound propositions for Madaleine:

Larger space in Madaleine’s old bedroom, black couch, 2 legged table fills the room 317 cm × 212 cm × 207 cm 1 pack of sunflower seeds 90 long bamboo skewers Post-it notes, both large squares 1 pair of silver shoe insoles and small strips 6 Capri Sonnes (neon pink, bright orange, neon 2 sink plugs yellow and lime green) 2 portable neons 1 can of bright pink silly string. +1 portable video camera 2 portable neons +1 portable video camera

You just woke up and you’re 50. Light. Music for a wedding. You secretly hate the bride.

Madaleine picks 3 sound propositions for Frédérique: Attending a birthday party with 12 screaming 5 year olds, high on cupcakes and jelly. Compose a soundscape for illegitimate couples in motel rooms. You just woke up and you’re 50.

2nd Residency

Nadine

2nd Residency

Biographies

Frédérique de Montblanc

poetic monologue by Alan Fielden with live photographic processing.

Born and raised in Brussels, Frédérique de Montblanc completed her BFA in Theatre at Concordia University in Montreal in 2004. She then obtained her MFA from the California Institute for the Arts (CalArts) in Los Angeles in 2007. Both scenographer and video artist, her work has been exhibited in Los Angeles (Outpost Gallery for Contemporary Art, Highways Performance Space, BetaLevel Gallery, CalArts), Houston (Lawndale Art Center, Artstorm Gallery, Slab in Temporary Space, Nance Street Studios), Brussels (Nadine, Vasthouse, BAF, Art Asylum) and Paris (Galerie Martine et Thibault de la Chatre). Her video La Cave is currently airing on the web channel of Arte creative. Her set design work includes Firebird and Titus Andronicus with the Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre Company based in Houston, TX. More recently, she has designed I Would Prefer Not To by Selma Alaoui (Theatre les Tanneurs, Brussels) for which she was nominated at ‘le Prix de la Critique 2010-11’ as well as Les Buveuses de Cafe by Compagnie Mossoux-Bonte (Theatre Romain Rolland, Paris | Internationales Figurentheater, Erlangen | Theatre des Brigittines, Brussels). www.frédériquedemontblanc.com

Madaleine regularly collaborates with other artists and has performed at the ICA, the Place, the Roundhouse, BAC, Shunt lounge and the National Theatre Studio. Madaleine’s photographic practice experiments with pinhole cameras, photograms and alternative processes; enabling her to print images onto glass, wood and metal. www.madaleinetrigg.com

Loup Mormont Settled in Brussels in 1999, where he discovered experimental and electroacoustic music. He joined the Royal Conservatory of Mons where he completed his Master’s degree in acousmatic composition with Annette Vande Gorne. He won the « Limerick 2010 Diffusion Prize ». Loup Mormont wrote pieces for singers, dancers and filmmakers. Now, he’s also Lecturer at the Royal Conservatory of Mons.

Madaleine Trigg Madaleine is a performance artist and photographer. Since graduating from the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2008, she has toured her solo, Sutre, nationally and internationally. Sutre features sculptural costumes that evolve and decay as a visual echo to the performer’s emotions. The piece culminates in a disintegrating dress, which has also been transformed into a hologram through a collaboration with Musion. This was exhibited at the Kinetica Art fair (London), The Wrong Weather Gallery (Porto) and also represented the UK in the Extreme Costume Exhibition at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial. Madaleine’s latest performance, The Darkroom, premiered at this year’s Brighton Fringe Festival. This piece was inspired by the photograms created by Hiroshima and Nagasaki and merges a 22

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO THE 20TH CENTURY?

If the following symptoms occur: loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, increased sexual drive, insomnia, paranoia, slurring, uncontrollable and erratic behaviour, please consult your therapist immediately.