Small Gestures of Care is a poetic translation of the long-term artistic research project Toolbox for Care. In response to the coronavirus crisis (artists out of work, hundreds of hands short in healthcare), artists Ann Weckx, Justine Maxelon & Rasa Alksnyte spent three years working regularly at the Huize Sint-Monica residential care home (Brussels) to connect the two sectors and explore the role artists can play in healthcare. In addition to their work with residents, care staff and bystanders in Sint-Monika, they have also spent a lot of time at BUDA in residence over the past few years to further develop Toolbox for Care in and with residential care centres. That toolbox has now resulted in Small Gestures of Care, a stimulating installation about ageing, memories, loss, daily life and intergenerational connections.

Woon.Zorg.Kunst

But there is more: the presentation of Small Gestures of Care also marks the start of the supra-local project Woon.Zorg.Kunst, in which three professional artists affiliated with Kortrijk (Anneleen Keppens, choreographer-dancer / Loeke Vanhoutteghem, visual and performative word artist / Patricia Vanneste, composer-violinist) will work with this toolbox and commit themselves for a year to three (types of) residential care centres in South-West Flanders. There, they will live in tune with the rhythm of the residents and interweave their artistic practice with the care environment. Their journey can be followed via the BUDA arts centre and Durf2030, and the results will be presented in September 2026 during a symposium.

Official opening

Come to the official opening of Small Gestures of Care and the kick-off of Woon.Zorg.Kunst on Wednesday 10/09 at 7:30 p.m. in the orangery in the garden of BK6, Broelkaai 6, 8500 Kortrijk. Both projects will be explained there in the presence of the artists, residential care centres and partners involved. Free of charge, subject to registration via this link.