Brussels, Tour & Taxis

FROM DECEMBER 17TH TO JUNE 19TH 2011

Visitors start off the visit with a mosaic of expressive faces that surround them as they enter the heart of the exhibition. They then proceed to enter a larger space that contains twenty screening areas. In each, visitors can watch a film about a given theme and thereby share with people from the world over the answers to questions asked by reporters in all four corners of our planet. This way a wide range of topics are raised, such as love, progress, fears and joys, what our parents passed on to us, the meaning of life and more. The visitor is offered over twenty hours of testimony. In practical terms, it is in fact impossible to see it all in a single visit. That is why visitors are encouraged to organize their own route, while making individual choices, within this enormous, human library.

Visitors can also go round to the other side of the camera and answer the questions themselves, while being interviewed under the same conditions as those that took place over four years of filming. This interview fulfills a double function. Through it visitors become members of the worldwide community of Others, and by getting into the game of questions and answers, they become intimately closer with those who have experienced this before them – which leads them to reconsider the testimonies with greater empathy.

They continue on their way and come across a slightly raised semicircle, with cushions laid out in arcs, inviting people to sit down for a moment. This area, called the “Agora”, is where discussions take place. These are guided by a moderator, whose job it is to give everyone the chance to share their impressions following the experience they have just had.

Internet terminals are also available for visitors, so that those intimidated by the public aspect of the “agora” and by video testimony, can still leave behind a trace of their visit. The interactive interface invites them to answer the questions that occurred to them during their visit - either in writing or by Webcam. The Internet terminals also provide an opportunity to discover all the available testimonies.


VISIT FOR SCHOOLS

Programs have been specially created for class visits and an educational file is provided to every pupil and teacher.

In addition, a program has been created together with UNICEF on the “rights of the child”, and can also be used by classes by prior booking.


A NEW FILM OF THE EXHIBITION: "TO BE BELGIAN"

7 billion Others has become part of the Belgian reality by going out to meet the inhabitants of Belgium. Additional questions about the role of the idea of identity in the life of Belgians were added to the initial questionnaire. 

Is Belgian identity important? Does the idea of Belgian identity still have a meaning? What does it mean these days for someone from Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia, or a German speaker? What does it mean today, “To be Belgian”?

Nic Balthazar, the famous Flemish ecologist and moviemaker, known as a producer for television and the cinema (Ben X), as well as of clips “Big Ask and Big Ask again, Dance for the Climate”, became part of the production team and went out to meet Belgians of every sort.

The body of testimony collected is the subject of a new film that visitors can see as a pre-release at this exhibition.

TEMPORA, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE EXHIBITION

Tempora organized the organization of the exhibition in Brussels. Tempora is the Belgian specialist in the design, implementation and promotion of exhibitions and science courses. Founded in 1998, in partnership with the publishing group De Boeck, Tempora is located in Brussels and employs over 20 people. Tempora has made numerous museums and exhibition spaces as well as large permanent exhibitions, both in Belgium and abroad (Spain, Poland, France, Canada, etc.).

GoodPlanet wants to thank the entire team of Tempora, especially Remiche Benedict, Benjamin Erarts, Carlos Manuel da Cunha Ferreira and Marion Descamps for their involvement, enthusiasm and professionalism.

PARTNERS