SWAMP SACRIFICES, 2025
An immersion in the cracks, the non-productivity, and transcendence of the geological base of Brussels; a gathering on water, eroticism and the (un)controlled
This year, for its second edition, Swamp Sacrifices focuses on hydro-eroticism and (un)controlled spaces as potential alternatives to the extreme control and productivity imposed onto the soil and bodies of Brussels.
Understanding the erotic as the deep sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic or intellectual’, Swamp Sacrifices investigates the link between (water) eroticism and the spiritual realm. Moving beyond conventional ideas tied to productivity and reproduction, pathways are opened for an expanded intimacy between ourselves and our spatial surroundings. Within this frame, ‘hydro-eroticism’ explores how water itself becomes part of these intimate exchanges—a sensual, fluid companion in the search for connection beyond control.
Our society has evolved at breakneck speed into a mechanism that performs control over both humans and space. What forms of spatial conditions could emerge if such control were released? What kind of relationships with the geological base of Brussels, the swamp, might arise?
Over the course of one weekend, Swamp Sacrifices relates to the swamp and the waters of Brussels as a site of joined pleasure, intimacy and eroticism, making space for that which (un)grows beyond productivity and control.
For this second edition, Swamp Sacrifices takes place both in and outdoors, at the canal and at K1 (KANAL Centre-Pompidou), and in the swamp of Neder-over-Heembeek, and is composed of performances, presentations, workshops and films.
October 4, 2025 at KANAL-Centre Pompidou & October 5, 2025 at the swamp of Neder-Over-Heembeek
Curated by: Paula Almiron & Wouter De Raeve
Contributors: Eliane Bertschi - Seba Calfuqueo - Jori Galama - Pieterjan Grandry - Catalina Insignares - Anna Lugmeier & Mar* Szydlowska - Sophia Rodriguez & Simon van Schuylenbergh & Freinetscholen Keerpunt - Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens -
Hannah Todt - Gosie Vervloessem & Simon Asencio & ISAC
Production: Hiros
Co-production: KANAL - Centre Pompidou
Supported by: VGC and Urban Planning Department, City of Brussels
this world is full of monsters — storytelling as a sensual practice, by Gosie Vervloessem & Simon Asencio & ISAC. ©Tine Declerck
this world is full of monsters — storytelling as a sensual practice, by Gosie Vervloessem & Simon Asencio & ISAC. ©Tine Declerck
Thus Burped the Bog Body, a reading by Jori Galama. ©Tine Declerck
v e s s e l, a performance by Catalina Insignares. ©Jan Locus
Cracks on a Cell Phone with Love Letters, a textile installation by Eliane Bertschi. ©Jan Locus
Sweet Darkness, a performance by Sophía Rodriguez & Simon Van Schuylenbergh & Vincent Focquet & Freinetscholen Keerpunt. ©Jan Locus
Water Makes Us Wet: An Ecosexual Adventure, a film by Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens. ©Jan Locus
Artemys revival, a film by Mar* Szydłowska & Anna Lugmeier. ©Jan Locus
TRAY TRAY KO, by Seba Calfuqueo. ©Sebastian Melo
Ear Balm, by Hannah Todt. ©Jan Locus