Save the date: the second edition of the Kortrijk Creativity Festival WONDER takes place at the Van Marcke site from 15 October to 14 November
After a first successful edition in 2020, the city of Kortrijk presents the second edition of the Kortrijk Creativity Festival WONDER from 15 October to 14 November 2021.
Wonderment and optimism are at the centre of a month-long inspirational circuit for young and old. The many creative, cultural and socio-economic organisations and educational institutions of Kortrijk will together present a coherent programme that represents the creativity of the city and the region.
The location where all this will take place is in the factory halls of the former Van Marcke site – also known as the old De Coene site. This is the first time that the site will be occupied in such a way, and this very special location is sure to provide an extraordinary backdrop.
This edition of WONDER will have 'PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT' as its theme. Sitting down together and being together: the corona crisis has made us all realise the importance of social interaction and its impact on people and society. With this theme, WONDER not only makes room for a wide variety of seating elements in all their different forms and functions, but also seeks to show the importance and impact of social interaction. Both young design talent and established names will work on the theme through exhibitions, art installations, workshops, lectures, innovative projects, and surprising presentations.
The highlight is a new exhibition and design concept from Biennale Interieur, combining an interactive retrospective on the chair with a curated gallery of hundreds of seating elements of different styles, brands, finishes, and prices, offering a glimpse of must-have seating collections. Biennale Interieur thus offers a new platform for brands, designers and the public to come together. It will be an open, accessible event with both an artistic and a commercial touch.
During WONDER, the Industrial Product Design students of Howest will present their own self-made chair inspired by the famous Italian designer Enzo Mari, and will work with projections and projection mapping on the theme of 'Please, Have a Seat'. Designregio Kortrijk provides a stage to young design talent from all over Flanders and brings designers together with the industry via an experiential installation. The programme also includes sound art installations through the Wild West, a route with outdoor installations, workshops and architectural lectures.
The full programme is yet to be finalised.
“Because of Corona, the Interieur biennial was not able to take place last year and we also had to end the first edition of the WONDER city festival prematurely. The traditional biennial will have to wait until 2022, but Interieur will be present at WONDER with its new concept 'Please, Have a Seat'. In addition, it will once again be the showcase for everything creative in our region. There are few places where you can find as much creativity as here in Kortrijk: BUDA, Hangar K, Designregio Kortrijk, Howest, Wilde Westen, Leiedal... The public will also have the opportunity to get to know the old Van Marcke industrial site. Here we are working on one of the most important urban renewal projects for the next ten years: a new district of 15 hectares, within walking distance of the station, where people will live, work and learn.”
— Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe
"In Kortrijk you can enjoy culture non-stop: in the spring we had Track & Trace, our interactive art triennial Paradise is currently running and in the autumn you will be surprised by the creative festival Wonder. At the same time, you can discover the Van Marcke site that offers our city so much potential and about which you will undoubtedly hear a lot more."
— Alderman of culture Axel Ronse
The partners
- Biënnale Interieur
- Designregio Kortrijk
- Howest
- Hangar K
- Wilde Westen
- BUDA
- Paradise Kortrijk 2021
- Van Marcke
- Leiedal
The venue
This edition of WONDER will take place at the former Van Marcke site. Van Marcke has now built a sustainable logistics centre on the outskirts of Kortrijk (Aalbeke). The old site in Weggevoerdenlaan is empty, but has an exciting future ahead. As its owner, Van Marcke has joined forces with the City of Kortrijk to jointly shape a future-proof new urban district. Together with the Flemish Government Architect's Team, an open call was launched for potential designs. Ultimately, it was the UAU collective (Hasselt) and Omgeving (Antwerp) who emerged as the winners selected to design the future of the site.
The large site on Weggevoerdenlaan is located between the station and Pottelberg, near a number of schools and within walking distance of the centre and Kortrijk Weide. It is a strategic location where a new part of town can grow with room for business, housing, working, learning and life. The designated design team of Omgeving – UAU is working on a master plan for the entire site.
Practical information
WONDER
Kortrijk Creativity Festival
15 October - 14 November 2021
Press preview PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT: 14 October, 10am
Van Marcke site
www.wonderkortrijk.be
Info & press requests:
Albane Paret
Club Paradis
+32 (0)476 57 37 82
[email protected]
