That silly John - journey of a felled oak tree
Sunday, 9 October
Somewhere along the road between Merelbeke and Ghent, an oak tree felled by the storm rests on an old cart. It waits. It waits for the gates of Ghent to open. We grease the hinges, tighten the straps and celebrate the ropes.
We take everything and everyone with us for the joyful entry of Die malle Jan into Ghent. Welcome, on the way and during the festive reception at the Koer.
"Tree and cart. Both are bearers of time and silent witnesses in a story in which man steals the leading role. Grounded in a new story, we take them to their next destination." – Max Pairon
The project Die malle Jan by artist Max Pairon refers to the cart that was used in the past to transport tree trunks and other long objects such as tram rails and mill rods.
Max is researching the use of human power and old transport techniques in a new urban context. He found an oak tree that had been felled by a storm in the Ten Bieze castle grounds in Beerlegem. The tree was carefully placed in its entirety on an old cart to be transported to its new destination: the Koer, a vibrant creative and meeting place in the middle of Brugse Poort. There it will be integrated into the renovation of the old community centre. At the end of May last year, the first part of the journey took place from Beerlegem to Merelbeke.
With the project Die malle Jan, Max invites passers-by to reflect on how we as a community can deal with raw materials and intangible heritage (craftsmanship, craft, technology, nature and agriculture) today.
PRACTICAL
Departure at 10:00 from Hundelgemsesteenweg 693 near Sallemeulekouter in Merelbeke, GEO: 50.975869, 3.739694.
Arrival at approximately 15:00, address: de Koer, Meibloemstraat 86, 9000 Ghent.
The trip will take approximately 4 hours. The route of the tree can be followed via www.diemallejan.be.
Concept: Max Pairon
Co-production: Arts platform PLAN B, de Koer and WALPURGIS. In collaboration with the City of Ghent, Trage Wegen, VIERNULVIER, Rhode & Schelde Police Zone and Ghent Police Zone. With the support of the Flemish Government, the Roads and Traffic Agency and the Federal Police. Special thanks to Kathy De Budt, Jan Briers and Filip Rasschaert.
With the horsepower of Thorèse, Louise, Cithor and Lila and the manpower of Corentin Hannon, Eva Fillet, Jade Fillet, Wiebe Moerman, Kasper De Vos, Simon Allemeersch, Stefanie Claes, Pilou Claes Allemeersch, Diede Roosens, Sander De Cuyper, Amy Franceschini, Max Pairon, Leendert Van Accoleyen, Jorne Van Accoleyen, Menzo Kircz, Simon Van Schuylenbergh, Michèle Vanvlasselaer, Lukas Pairon, Zoë Hoornaert, Vincent Focquet, Mathilde Pairon, Jako Jacobs, Renée Pevernagie, Reinout Dewulf, Carmen Landuyt, Wouter Hellin, Oscar Hellin Faes, Leon Hellin Faes, Lucien, Judith Vindevogel, Stef Depover, Lhoussaine Aamria (†), Maarten De Vrieze, Alina Kneepkens, Leontien Allemeersch, Kim Snauwaert, Ewoud Vermote, Count d'Ursel, Countess d'Ursel, Sam Bogaerts (†), Ann D'Haese, Eva Samyn, Carmine De Swerts, Guido Meersman, Jef Seghers, Samira El Khadraoui, Joes Roosens, Febe Roosens, Benoît Crucifix, David Doménech, Lisette Willems, Karolien Soete, Eric Hoefman, Bea Hoefman, Lode Vranken, Mark Triest, Eline Vermeir, Laurens Tas, Eline Vyncke, Haider Khafaji, Richir Christophe, Alain Rubais, Jérôme Rubais, Pascal Depaepe, Jack Wauthier, Bruno Van Driessche, Gerardus Baertsoen, Chloé Wasselin-Dandre, Ewout Lehoucq, Dries Van Tieghem, Inge Kerfs, Marie-Louise Van Bellekens, Stephane, Mieriën Coppens, Stef Van Alsenoy, Anais Gosse, Janes Zeghers, Stéphanie Slosse, Rozanne Kempynck, Elien Ronse,…
More information: www.walpurgis.be & www.dekoer.be