The School started on 15 October 2017, for a first cycle of 7 months. The first idea was to host a residency for 16 local and international designers and artists. Soon locals and others from abroad were added as +1, having the urge to participate but in a smaller time frame. During this process and the work, play and struggle in 8+1 projects, 11 festivals and various events or workshops and more, extra participants were invited and activated from neighbourhoods or organisations, which resulted in a large amount of participants in this first cycle of The School, in Hasselt. This series of videos shows the opening days and talks at The School and at the house of the governor of province Limburg. The ‘house’ / The School was opened in the premisses of Tajine, on Sunday 15 October with an exhibition showing a teaser of the fresh participants and also a performance at night. Then, 3 bigger questions were raised over 3 days: What Makes a School? What Forms Design? What Moves a City? Invited guests and speakers, panels of design, city and education specialists were introduced. Inspiring theories and conversations were formed. New questions were posed, and The School was ready to start its adventure, with tons of confusion, energy, desire to act and so on. October 15 was the start of something new. This we knew.
The School’s opening festival were possible with the support of province of Limburg, Stad Limburg, city of Hasselt, city of Genk, Kubus Kwadraat, Zebracinema, PXL-MAD, Tajine, Hectica, CIAP Kunstverein voor Actuele Kunst, Firma 1O3, Geurts Verfgroothandel, Halte 24, Ramaekers Verf, Cultuurplatform Design and all the people helping, participating and collaborating. Thanks to all experts for sharing their knowledge and creativity: Bart Van Obbergen-Perez, Ann Vanderheyden, Anneleys De Vet, Jeroen Bouweriks, Joanne Pouzenc, Pieter Spinder, Sara Bomans, Pascal Deweze, Ann Meskens, Diogo Rinaldi, Giovanna Massoni, Matylda Krzykowski, Hlin Helga Gudlaugsdottir, Anssi Kähärä, Will Erens, Herman Reynders, Maarten Desmet, Alice Haddad, Liesbeth Huybrechts, Fabian Seibert, Rosario Talevi, Rozina Spinnoy, Alesya Dobysh.
All talks were filmed by the wonderful Alexander Dumon.