Flax, baby! Flax! [preludes] involves the development of a durational performance in which artists Liza Prins and Marie Ilse Bourlanges work flax into linen fibres in the Orangerie of the Amstelpark. Together with composer Bergur Anderson, dancers, and singers, Flax, baby! Flax! focuses on historical work-songs and the creation of a contemporary repertoire. In four “Open Rehearsals’’ they collectively practice work and songs, inviting the audience into this process.
Over the past years, Prins and Bourlanges researched the cultural history of the flax plant and the process that transforms it into linen. The artists maintain their own field of flax on the edge of the Flevopark in Amsterdam. At Zone2Source they will process this flax into linen using pre-industrial hand tools. Throughout the summer, the space will be set up as an open workshop where the artists will deepen their research into work-songs, write new lyrics and melodies, and engage in conversations with visitors to the park.
Next to its performative elements Flax, baby! Flax! [preludes] will also present Field Recordings, a series of mixtapes that Prins and Bourlanges have conceived to synthesise their archival research. Video material from workdays on the field will also be present.
With their residency at Zone2Source, the artists hope to spark a cross-historical debate on the effects of industrialisation on labour and natural resources, and singing as a practice of resistance and solidarity.
12 July 2024 – 10.30 – 13.00
25 July 2024 – 10.30 – 13.00
01 August 2024 – 10.30 – 13.00
15 August 2024 – 14.30 – 17.00
Park Studio (Orangerie), Amstelpark
September 22, 14.00 – 18.00 performance at 16.00
het Glazen Huis, Amstelpark
This project was made possible by a grant for one-off arts and culture activities from stadsdeel Zuid, Amsterdam, and is kindly supported by Mondriaan Fund.
Park Studio (de Orangerie)
