Transcoding Structural Ornamentation: A track-report of migrating characteristics around Villa Empain

Abstract

This visual essay reports on an artistic research residency that took place in and around Villa Empain in Brussels. The various explorations that were undertaken over a one- month period oscillated between the villa, the Vossenplein that houses a large flea market, and the studio space of the residency. A crucial part of the collaborative process was the continuous production and (re)adaptation ? the ‘transcoding’ ? of works across these various contexts.

The term ‘transcoding’ refers not only to the jumping back and forth between ornament and structure, rest material and essence, but also between locations, scales and configurations. Where ? like in video transcoding ? the effect can be minimal or substantial depending on the settings. Our visual essay attempts to organise the (spatial, physical, material) results of these movements back and forth. It visually depicts the dialogues that took place across three sites and three artistic practices.