De ijzeren boomgaard
The fairytale of Kerkbrugge-Langerbrugge
two-channel video installation and filmposters
16:9 full HD, 50p, 24:00 min
2020

VIDEO INSTALLATION
The project De ijzeren boomgaard (The iron orchard) consisting of a video installation and film posters, was made during a three-week artist-in-residence in the small town of Kerkbrugge-Langerbrugge close to Ghent, Belgium. This contemporary fairytale is based on stories, anecdotes and memories of its inhabitants. Through the method of participating observation, Van Duppen temporarily becomes part of a community, making stories unfold themselves before her eyes. The choice for the fairytale's narrative form is to elevate the environment out of the mundane, making its reality surreal. The inhabitants have become the story's protagonists and are made invisible, only to be perceived by their voice. The Narrator guides you through all their stories, while you see fragments of everyday life and images of the environment. The story takes both inhabitant and viewer into a fantasy world based on reality, and invites you to daydream as well as regard your own environment differently.

FILMPOSTERS
The Disney-esk film posters of De ijzeren boomgaard (The iron orchard) show the inhabitants in their habitat, displaying their character in the film. The protagonists not featured in the video installation receive visibility and fame with the film posters. The medium of the posters refers to blockbuster films and aims to create a (local) buzz around the project. The social interaction generates involvement, and ensures the fairy tale coming to life in the village. Thus, Van Duppen gives the protagonists a stage in which to present themselves towards other inhabitants.

Both the form and presentation allude to the film poster as a metaphor. Portraits of these 'normal' people receive the same status as movie stars; the symbolism of the Disney-esk design refers to the alluring nature of poster campaigns and how these generate fame. The film posters were projected onto the façade of De Cacaofabriek in Helmond as an autonomous work, which makes the protagonists gain 'international' success.

In order to achieve a perfect Disney look-a-like, she collaborated with photographer Hanse Cora and designer Cyanne van den Houten.

Cinematographer and Film editor

Mirte van Duppen

Photographer

Hanse Cora

Script

Lotte Lentes

Text editing

David Dumont

Translation

Paulien Mandos

Sound

Benedikt Wöppel

Sound recordings

Pieter Jan van Den Berge

Singer

Herman Moens

Music

DJ Peter van Praag

Voice-over The Monkey

Tina De Keyzer

Voice-over The Narrator

Herman Moens

Color correction

André Badjebeir

Designer

Cyanne van den Houten

The Princess

Bernice Van Walleghem

Mystical Beast

Berta De Ezel

The Chef

Elsa De Meyer

The Hunter

Julien Van Driessche

The Troubadour

Peter Van Praag

The Animal Whisperer

Rita Van Ieften

A fairytale based on stories of Kapper Rilyn and her customers, Mark Bekaert, Nicole Vernaeve, Julien Van Driessche, Daniėl Van Durme, Nancy Van Hole, Rita Van Ieften, Jani De Koninck, Henk Meerlaen, Elsa De Meyer, Rose Moens, Herman Moens, Lieve Nouwen, Peter Van Praag, Herman Verstraete, Bernice Van Walleghem, Annie Wieme, Arlet Willems

Special thanks to Evenementencentrum Burggraeve and its (dance)guests, Kapperszaak Rilyn and her customers, Buurtpunt Den Hannekesnest, Leontien Allemeersch, Hein van Duppen, Valentine Galeyn, Isa Moerenhout, Olivier Van Walleghem, Josje Wijnant

EXHIBITION
Art Rendez Vous
Sunday 14.11.2021
13:00 – 17:00

Atlas Initiatief
Veilingkade 12b
Breda (NL)

KONNEKTOR residency, 2020

Show kindly supported by
KONNEKTOR, Impulsgelden / Provincie Noord-Brabant and Kunstloc