Catalogue > At random

Brussels was built on a swamp. Today, only one tiny part of Brussels is still officially a swamp. Although continually threatened by development the area stayed intact, largely due to being ensnared between two railroad tracks. Further enclosed by high-rise social housing and industrial areas just behind these railroads, the swamp is a mix of damp prairies and patches of bushes and trees. It’s home to a lot of small wildlife such as birds, rodents, bats, amphibians and even ringed snakes. A small green oasis, in the middle of a concrete landscape. Murmur is a collaboration between film maker Jan Locus and sound artist Stijn Demeulenaere. Just before first light, Jan and Stijn recorded the dawn chorus at the swamp. The city drone permeates the sound of the swamp, and a strange mix enfolds between the sound of an awakening nature and a human presence. Urban drone and bird song merge into an (un)familiar murmur presence in the twilight hour of the morning.

JAN LOCUS The long-term projects of photographer and filmmaker Jan Locus study the complexity of worldwide, socio-political issues. He had exhibitions at FOMU Antwerp, Noorderlicht Photo Festival Groningen, Iklectik Art Lab London, De Brakke Grond Amsterdam, and Les Rencontres d’Arles. His photography books include “Mongolia”, “De Bewegende Stad”, and “Devoted.” Jans films have been shown at film festivals including IFFR Rotterdam, DokFest Kassel and International Short Film Festival Oberhausen. He lives and works in Brussels. STIJN DEMEULENAERE Stijn Demeulenaere is sound artist and field recordist. He creates installations, soundscapes, performances, and does sound design for dance and theatre. Stijn researches the relationship between identity, sound and listening. His work was shown at, among others, Concertgebouw Bruges, NIMk (NL), Den Frie (DK), STUK (BE), Kaaitheater (BE), New adventures in Sound Art (CA), and IFFR Rotterdam. His work was nominated for the LOOP Discovery Award, the European Sound Art Award, and it won prizes at the Engine Room International Sound Art Award and the Musica Soundscape Award. He lives and works in Brussels.