Artist in residence:
Danny Veys
When:
1 January 2023 – 24 March 2024
The flax canoe floats on the golden river:
During their residency at Texture, documentary photographer Danny Veys and his companion Francis Soenen are building their own canoe from flax composite. On 18 June, they will sail down the Leie. From its source in Aire-sur-la-Lys in France to its mouth in Ghent: 131 kilometres in one day. In the run-up to this, they will paddle weekly on 'the golden river', always with a camera on board. This will yield countless images and stories that show the Leie and the history of flax from a surprising perspective.
The project has its origins in the Leie, the river that gave us the opportunity to develop as endurance athletes. Because of this connection and our desire for a challenge, we decided to build our own canoe. This led us to the rich history of flax in this region.
RESIDENCY
In the residence The flax canoe floats on the golden river, Danny's passion for physical challenge and photography come together. His artistic research meanders through the history and grounds along the Leie, using the Texture museum archive as a source. For months, he searches through the collection and documents stories and objects in which the Leie plays a central role. On 5 March 2023, the canoe will be launched for the first time. Thousands of people are following the duo's adventure closely, both online and in their museum workshop. In addition to the public, Danny also seeks interaction with young writers and artists from the region.
During this residency, Danny immerses himself in the landscape and history of the Leie. An artistic investigation into traces of heritage and objects in the museum archive, but also into stories and images on and around the water today. A journey through time and space, together with other artists and writers who share the same passion for rivers.
This performance embodies a convergence of all elements. The flax has taken shape in a canoe that then sails the waters where the fibre has its raison d'être.
EXHIBITION
The research culminates in an artistic guide in which the craftsmanship, history, landscape and experimental nature of the project come together in words and images. In the exhibition The Cabinet of Curiosities, the elements from the guide come to life. Experiments, contrasts, photographic interventions and subversive images form a palimpsest that challenges the boundaries of perception. The canoe remains on permanent display in Texture's Wonder Room.
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