Gaasbeek lab 2025
In May 2025 P.A.R.T.S. and De School van Gaasbeek co-organized a thematic lab on dance and nature, guided by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Corentin Hannon, Eva Fillet, Peter De Schepper and Charlotte Cétaire.
The base for the lab was the Groenenberg Castle and its surrounding grounds in the Pajottenland region. Following previous masterclasses under the title Manual labour, horse work and dance, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker invited the students of the Bachelor Training program for a week of movement sessions inspired by traditional agricultural techniques. Each day also featured accessible workshops that were open to the wider public from the region. This project was made possible with the support of Pajottenland+.
Previous editions of Gaasbeek lab in 2022, 2023 and 2024
For 3 consecutive years, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Corentin Hannon initiated the workshop ‘Hand power, horse labour and dance’ as part of P.A.R.T.S. SummerProgram. They gathered a diverse group of dancers and non dancers, who shared an interest in outdoor labour and agriculture.
During the workshop participants started the day with movement sessions for dancers and non-dancers alike, guided by Charlotte Cétaire and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. In the afternoon they explored some (traditional) techniques stemming from agriculture under guidance of Anne Teresa herself and Corentin Hannon: scything guided by Kevin Lambeets of ‘Zeis en Bijl’, wood lumbering, haymaking as well as pulling exercises with draught horses guided by Corentin Hannon & Eva Fillet from Cordeva.
During the workshop participants got to work outdoors in a small community, learned how to make fire, learned macrobiotic cooking under the guidance of Valentina Nelissen and spent time on the field whilst exploring a range of techniques and repetitive movements.
Watch the trailer of previous' editions here and here.
Read more about the first edition in Rekto:Verso
Credits
Initiators: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker & Corentin Hannon
Collaborators:
Kevin Lambeets / Zeis & Bijl (scything)
Eva Fillet & Corentin Hannon / Cordeva (horses)
Charlotte Cétaire & Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (dance)
Valentina Nelissen (macrobiotic cooking)
Production: P.A.R.T.S.
In collaboration with: Rosas & De School van Gaasbeek
With the support of: School van Gaasbeek, Rosas, ATDK Foundation
Funded by: Microproject-Pajottenland+ (VLB)
