THE RED BOX
A collaboration by Olivia Lennon and Jan van Schaik
Introduction
Photograph by Albert Comper
Act 1 (2024)
In Act 1, Lennon and van Schaik created a combined installation and performance piece, presented at L’Escaut in April 2024 as part of the Art Brussels OFF Programme. The permanent installation consists of a series of built forms that remake — but invert — elements of the residency space at full scale. Lennon and van Schaik directed and performed a live work featuring five costumed characters engaged in an improvisational response to the installation and its inverted architecture.
Intermission (2024 – 2025)
Since April 2024, Lennon and van Schaik, together with L’Escaut, have invited other artists to produce and install their own exhibitions in response to the installation. These artists include Leonor Gomez and Arthur Jules, Darren Roshier, Lisa Hoffmann, Marco Schröder, and Gérard Béthume.
Act 2 (2025)
In Act 2, Lennon and van Schaik created a series of human-sized maquettes. Through these figures, they transform everyday building materials into sculptural reflections on spatial orientation, architectural form, and the personality and secret lives of objects.
The Artists
Olivia Lennon is an artist, educated in Sydney, and has been practicing in Berlin and Melbourne since 2010.
Jan van Schaik is an artist and architect, educated and practicing in Melbourne since 2000. Their work attacks the collision between coded messages and invisible forces, and the known and unknowable qualities of existence.
Together, they have exhibited, presented, and been published through solo exhibitions, group shows, artist talks, art fairs, biennales, and residencies across Australia, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe.
Further information
Olivia Lenon olivia-lennon.com
Jan van Schaik janvanschaik.com
L’Escaut escaut.org
Art Brussels artbrussels.com
Essay
Photograph by Jan van Schaik