Tibau Beirnaert & Laurens Aneca on their new performance: "How can we transform dating apps into a creative space?"

On 20, 21 & 22 November, Zero Feet Away, the new performance by Tibau Beirnaert & Laurens Aneca, will premiere. In this performance, of which CAMPO & detheatermaker are executive producers, Tibau & Laurens explore the role of dating apps and their influence on contemporary relationships. Read more about it in this interview! 

Hello Tibau & Laurens, where did you get your inspiration for Zero Feet Away? 

Tibau: “First of all, we were inspired by the book Walking Practice by Dolki Min, which we used as a starting point to fantasize further. This book is also about an alien-like figure that crashes on earth and from then engages in various interactions with people. Secondly, the performance is also autobiographical: we incorporate our own experiences and personal desires regarding dating, relationships and love relations. Thirdly, we found inspiration in alter egos, drag and other transformations.”  

You mentioned the word ‘alien’ earlier, but in the promotional text the character is described as a ‘shapeshifter’. Why is that? 

Laurens: “A shapeshifter experiences a certain degree of alienation and because they are constantly transforming, they have an unstable and continuously shifting identity. This comes with a sense of alienation from their own body.” 

“On dating apps, we try to shape ourselves into a certain image, a version of ourselves that we want to be seen, where we hope the other person desires us. In contrast to this, the shapeshifter feels a sense of liberation, not feeling confined to any form.” 

“One day I might present myself this way and the next day I feel like presenting myself differently, like being someone else. Once again, this shows how the shapeshifter can transform the urge for self-presentation into creativity.” 

What kind of world are you trying to create with Zero Feet Away?

Tibau: “We follow the shapeshifter through a landscape, an online dating landscape. The figure tries to navigate this space and adopt a certain attitude. As Laurens mentioned earlier on, we want to create a world full of potential and creativity, in the sense that we don't want to point out the negative aspects of dating apps, like: ‘Look, dating apps lead to addiction, loneliness and alienation.’ Instead, we want to explore how we can turn dating apps into a creative space.”

Where did you meet each other and how do you inspire one another? 

Tibau: “Laurens and I studied drama at KASK. Our first collaboration was my graduation performance F A G G O T S last year. From there, the desire and need to continue working together grew, and Zero Feet Away is the result of that.” 

Laurens: “We are quite complementary. I tend to look at things very analytically, while Tibau works in a much more intuitive way. I think I'm more of a thinker and writer, while Tibau is more about building and creating physically. Of course, it's not just a simple dichotomy, and there’s a dynamic exchange between us. We give each other freedom to transform each other's ideas—at least, I hope we do…” 

Tibau: “Yes, you give a lot of space to the artists you collaborate with, allowing them to tell their own stories or perspectives. You help by providing the tools for that.” 

Laurens: “I think it’s important to do that because, in the end, it’s Tibau who dances, performs, speaks, moves and stands on stage. You need that space for your deeply personal imagination.” 

Final question: can you tell us more about the other artists involved in the performance?

Tibau: “We’re working with a very young team, except for Laurens—he’s the granddad of the team. (laughs) We all studied at KASK, and I was very keen to collaborate with people who were graduating, so as to incorporate their artistry into the performance. Seppe Vande Veire creates the soundscapes and makes his own music for the performance, Loes Vanneste is working on the projections, all kinds of 3D scans and other visuals, and Tobias van Nieuwenhove designs the costumes for the performance. I’m very happy that everyone can put their own craft into this performance and I hope we manage to make a beautiful universe with everyone’s talents.”