Arteles Catalogue 2023-2020

Back to Basics program / JULY 2022
Mathilde Strijdonk
Belgium
mathildestrijdonk.weebly.com
About
Dear you,
My name is Mathilde. I am a performer and an (amateur)
audiovisual artist. When you meet me in circumstances where
I feel unsure, I will introduce myself as an actress without a
job and a part-time teacher. As the person I want to be, I
will introduce myself as an all-round artist who connects with
other people via the art practice, collaboration, listening or
coaching. I have built up experience in acting, singing/voice
work, dancing, creating, directing, coaching and teaching.
Next to my work in performance arts, I recently started to
organize group exhibitions and create audiovisual work.
Over the last 8 years I’ve been struggling with my health, the
overall tempo of my life slowed down, as did the multitude
of engagements. I have been figuring out how to set my
personal practice in balance, this is a work in progress.
I am very interested in multidisciplinary work, and I look
forward to meeting people to connect and collaborate with.
My work is intuitive, personal and honest, every new project
begins with feelings of responsibility, questions and doubts.
These elements make an important part of my art practice
and are very dear to me.
Feel free to contact me if you like to meet.
Warm regards,
Mathilde Strijdonk
Connecting & underwater dancing
Time slowed down during the “Back to basics” residency
in Arteles. This gave me permission to profoundly connect
with the place, the nature and the other artists. The time
spend, was shared with a group of beautiful people. I got the
privilege to meet them, have feedback sessions, work, swim
and walk together.
Also in my artistic work, connection made out the basis.
During the residency, I practised being in the here and now,
listening, opening up to feeling and allowing to submerge.
That last concept became quite literal, I went swimming as
much as possible and created elaborate underwater dances.
I recorded video and audio footage relating to this idea, and
I hunted down beautiful examples of sky reflections in water
with my camera. As time went by, I rediscovered beauty and
wonder, revisiting a way of looking and listening that I was
used to as a child. I welcomed my inner child to became part
of the residency and went in the forest to follow ants, follow
the sound of trees and follow the direction of the wind.
I did not bring home an art piece, a performance or a video.
But I bring home confidence in my personal artistic practice
of listening and connecting. I am very grateful Arteles gave
me the time and space to learn and grow.
(Oh yes, and I also brought home lots and lots of video, photo
and audio footage to review, a possible new way to move my
body and some new friends :) )
(Photo’s made with the help of the lovely Audrey Anderson
and Tomás Franco)