The Artistic Theology Lab strives to create an inspiring work environment where religious, academic, and artistic communities can meet. The Lab is a place to explore the relationship between theology and the arts, especially between dance and mysticism. It is interested in the role of contemporary (choreographic) art practices as locus theologicus. By recognizing the theological value of the arts and providing artists with a rich religious vocabulary and imagination, the Lab aims to initiate a hermeneutical process at the local and international level.
Upcoming Performances/projects
De Wolf Van Gubbio – Rijkevorsel 26 maart 2022
De wolf weerspiegelt bevreesde blikken. Zijn grimmige schijn-heiligheid werpt een schaduw over de stad. Wanneer de nacht valt, staat de held op. Gewapend met wonden betreedt hij het heiligdom van het beestenrijk.
Deze performance is een dansante vertelling van de legende over Franciscus van Assisi en de Wolf van Gubbio. Het verhaal gaat over de mythische ontmoeting tussen de twee hoofdrolspelers en over de transformatie van angst naar liefde. De performance speelt in op de eigenheid van mythologische vertellingen en het weefgetouw van archetypische beeldtaal en onderzoekt hoe innerlijke bewegingen kunnen worden vormgeven en gedeeld met een publiek.
More info about this project, click here
De Wolf van Gubbio (selection of acts) – BAC Atelier Leuven 30 maart 2022
Ter gelegenheid van de open ateliers van KU Leuvens BAC Atelier, brengen we 3 acts, 3 hoofdstukken, uit onze dansante vertelling “De wolf van Gubbio”. Deze fragmenten worden geïsoleerd en gepresenteerd als danssolo’s van ongeveer 10 minuten. Kan de taal van de dans voldoen aan de vereisten van een narratieve cultuur? Welke vormelijke en inhoudelijke ingrepen moet dans ondergaan opdat hij een balans kan behouden tussen mimesis en abstractie, taal en mystieke ervaring?
To consult the full program, click here
Opus Corporis: a liturgical body work project – allerheiligenkirche Frankfurt 29th of May 2022 (premiere)
Eucharist = Performance. We explore the implications of this equation with special attention to the notion of “participation”, a popular term in both performance art and religious ritual. Respecting the eucharistic form, we implement theatrical and choreographic interventions to explore the audience response and improve the performative and sacramental value of the event.
The premise of this performance is the radical equation between the Eucharist and performance art. On two Sunday celebrations and two evening performances, we want to explore the implications of this equation with special attention to the notion of “participation”, a term that rose in popularity in both liturgical and artistic discourse over the past decades. Respecting the eucharistic form and its procedures, we will implement theatrical and choreographic interventions in collaboration with the church community and the celebrating priest to study the audience response and improve the performative and sacramental value of the event.
This project will result in 4 performances and a research project focusing on the state of the art of liturgical dance, its new perspectives and the documentation of the liturgical experiment performed in this project.
More info about the project, click here
Portfolio – Artistic Projects
About
Artistic Theology Lab
The Artistic Theology Lab is founded by theologian – artist Sander Vloebergs. It aims to create an inspiring work environment where religious, academic and artistic communities can meet. The Lab is a place to explore the relationship between theology and the arts, especially between dance and mysticism.
This academic and religious art project proposes a collaboration between artists, religious institutions, and academics (theologians, philosophers, (art) historians and literary scholars). Using practice-as-research methodologies, the lab produces art works and academic reflections that aim to innovate the fields of theology and artistic research. This practice generates a network of people. The Lab’s projects, supervised by Sander, represent concrete encounters between stakeholders that belong to the three different communities.
Projects and networks
Exposition Geliefde lichamen
(June-July 2019)
Video Project Beloved Bodies
(2018-2019)
De wolf van Gubbio
(March 2022)
Opus Corporis
(May-June 2022)
Magdalena
(May-September 2022)
Artistic Theology Lab 