Work in Progress: WIPCOOP Antwerp 2025

WIPCOOP, the Work In Progress Cooperative of MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM, returns to Arenberg!

During WIPCOOP, Gwendalyne van Erp & Deniz Polatoğlu, Yvette Poumpalova, Kaspy Ndia and Zilan Nergiz Arsu & Bora Nura & Eden Anastasia Emlek will show thirty minutes from their WORK In PROGRESS. Verwacht een rijk palet aan thema’s, stemmen en media: van Bulgaarse kuker-dans tot klassiek theater, beeldende kunst en intercomdialogen.

After the presentations, the creators will engage in discussions with dramaturgs, workshops, producers and programmers about their work and possible forms of support. At the same time, the audience can participate in roundtable discussions and there will be short pitches from other exciting creators.

WIPCOOP is more than an annual event: it is an ongoing development trajectory in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven. The goal? Making new artistic work visible, encouraging dialogue and bringing artists and organizations together to further develop this work and bring it to the public.

The Works in Progress will take place during the day are free to attend. Reservations are not required.

PROGRAM

09:30-10:00 Reception/walk-in/intro (coffee, tea, water & cookies)

10:00-10:30 WIP 1 Kaspy Ndia – Spiegel

Music, visual art and dance flow together in a poetic narrative. Kaspy shares an intimate experience of recognition and connection created from hundreds of drawn portraits, rituals of attention and presence. Each portrait brought him closer to the other but also to himself. On se voit dans le reflet de l’autre.

10:30-11:30 FEEDBACK or for other audience discussion tables Joana Rossi & Enrica Camporesi + pitch

11:30-12:00 WIP 2 Yvette Poumpalova – For the last time, give me your eyes

In this ritual quest for heritage, Yvette Poumpalova combines poetry, performance and dance, inspired by the Bulgarian Kuker tradition. A journey about connection, identity and the power of lore. What do we carry with us? What are we letting go of? And where do we make space to heal?

12:00 -13:00 FEEDBACK or for other audience discussion tables Joana Rossi & Enrica Camporesi

12:30-13:30 LUNCH

13:30-14:00 WIP 3 Deniz Polatoğlu & Gwendalyne van Erp – Polly & Esther

A dark musical thriller-comedy full of absurd humor, suspense and tragedy. Two half-sisters care for their paralyzed father, balancing between devotion and suffocation. a tragicomic spiral of isolation and control that will make you laugh, shudder and question everything. Perfect for anyone who loves family dramas…with a twist.

14:00-15:00 FEEDBACK or for other audience discussion tables Joana Rossi & Enrica Camporesi + pitch

15:00-15:30 WIP 4: Zilan Nergiz Arsu, Bora Nura & Eden Anastasia Emlek – Where figs don’t grow // CANCELLED

Three young creators combine their voices in a performance about home, farewell and connection. Three women meet, somewhere between difference and recognition. An exploration of how distance can offer intimacy and how closeness can still mean difference.

This presentation will not take place. Together with Eden, Zilan and Bora, we are looking at how we can further support and shape their development path in the coming period.

We hope to see you there & let’s move things together ❤️