Get to know our new artistic director Michiel Vandevelde

Michiel van de Velde has recently taken on the role of artistic director at CAMPO. To get to know him better, we sat down with him to talk about his vision and plans. Below, in his own words, he shares what drives him and how he envisions his role at CAMPO.

What does it mean for you to be the artistic director of CAMPO?
“For me, it is above all about working towards the future. CAMPO supports both emerging makers and more experienced artists who may not yet have an extensive network. With CAMPO, many opportunities can be created for a new generation of artists. I find that very hopeful. CAMPO is indispensable in shaping the artistic landscape.”

How do you view CAMPO’s history, and what do you want to add?
“I have great respect for the history of CAMPO. It is a house that has been doing exceptionally well. At the same time, I want to introduce new accents. Some artists are now stepping back, while a new generation of makers is entering. I want to make the programme a little wilder. For example, in our presentation work we will experiment more with festival formats, and in our studios we will develop specific residency models. Building international links with other residencies will also be an important part of this.”

Which performances would you like to see again?
“If I could revisit one performance, it would be Radical Hope by Stef Van Looveren. Stef is an artist we want to support at CAMPO in the future. We are presenting his work Confessions and are collaborating on new projects. He is an artist for whom I have great admiration.”

Do you have dream projects?
“Every project can be a dream project. I always try to bring projects to life in one way or another, often adapted to financial frameworks, but ultimately they do come about. For CAMPO victoria, I dream that one day an artist will drift in and transform the courtyard, creating impressive constructions there.”

What role do you see for young makers at CAMPO?
“An important point in my plans is the role of young makers. Every two seasons we want to produce a large-scale stage work. Large venues are often the domain of established artists, but CAMPO can give young makers the chance to take that step. Not for everyone, but for those who are developing a visual language that carries a certain grandeur.”

What does art mean to you?
“Art is a vast field of endless possibilities. There is no such thing as ‘this is art’ or ‘that is not.’ Art is shaped by the space in which it takes place and by the discourse surrounding it. That wide-open character of art is what attracts me so strongly to CAMPO. The history of this house shows that there has always been room to explore and to expand boundaries.”

How do you see the relationship with the audience?
“Performances should offer audiences something new: new insights or a new formal language. Sometimes that appeals to a broader public, and sometimes it remains more within a niche. Both are equally necessary. The artistic field should not only confirm what already exists, but also continually challenge and reshape it. That is what CAMPO excels at, and must continue to excel at.”

Text: Maurice Leerman