A Fair New Idea?! #4: Multiple Voices – Cripping the space

How to Have a Conversation about Disability and Exclusion in the Performing Arts

With Cripping the Space, Marijn Prakke investigates how the conversation about neuro- diversity, handicap and exclusion in the performing arts should progress. His initiative quickly found resonance in the crip community.

The working group for Cripping the Space included Marijn Prakke, Mira Bryssinck, Josefien Cornette, Fien Criel, Anna Püschel and Joyce Vuylsteke. Mira Bryssinck had also been a Kunstenpunt jury member for A Fair New Idea?! #2, but had at that point no vested interest or part in Marijn Prakke’s ideas. 

Surrounding this basic working group, a broader network grew up to include about 50 people, who were also invited to open monthly meetings. All of the information that came out of these meetings was digitally conserved, with the intention it later being worked into a series of podcasts. 

The rhythm and dynamics of the process were dictated by the physical and mental health of the members of the core group. Flexibility and adaptability are key skills. By working with a wider crip community, tasks or roles can be taken over from each other in solidarity when needed. It is often a balancing act between the need for safe(r) spaces in which the crip community engages in shared dialogue with each other and safe(r) or brave spaces with external, interested people and possible allies.