Peter Aers (Ghent, 1973) obtained a Master in Philosophy (1998) and graduated from theatre training at De Kleine Academie (2003). Aers explores the meaning of the relationship between an individual and the society. The starting point of that relationship is the disappearance of that individual. His first project BOEDAPEST / EEN OEFENING IN VERDWIJNEN (Budapest / an exercise in disappearing) in 2005 he researches together with Tijs Ceulemans the effect of material prosperity on the formation of one’s identity. Their interest and fascination focused on homeless people and beggars. In 2009 Aers and Ceulemans worked together on the project NEW YORK – SAN FRANCISCO / THE HIDDEN TRACKS, a documentary performance about hobo’s in America and the search of both makers for illegal travelers on freight trains and freedom. Both performances were marked by an honest openness, because after their return both makers stepped on stage to share, in an improvising way, their experiences with the audience.

In the period 2010-2012 Leentje Vandenbussche joins them in the project X / EEN OEFENING IN VERDWIJNEN (X / an exercise in disappearing) to look for an approach to death and dying. This project will lead to three performances, premiering May 2012: LIGHT, MEDIUM and STRONG.

The central subjects during the creation process as well as during the performance, are the people and the contact we have with them. One of the starting points is creating the right context to encourage this contact. For this, Aers has worked with amateur performers, homeless people, inhabitants of the canal village Doornzele, inhabitants of the city Münster, he did volunteer work after hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, palliative care, and he drove a taxi at night.

Aers has worked with Dora Garcia for several performances (The Prophets – The Beggar’s Opera – The Romeos – Beggar – You can’t be there – The Inadequates), he performed with Aitana Cordero (3 ways to Master a kiss) and Campo (FivePeople).

Tijs Ceulemans (Borgerhout, 1980)

"The fact that I don’t really know what I’m doing results in the fact that I keep looking. In an uncontrollable way. To loose yourself, to neglect and destroy. For the last three days I have been waiting for something that will not come. And while I’m waiting the feeling of poverty I have changes to pure happiness."

In 2005 Tijs Ceulemans worked on the project BOEDAPEST/EEN OEFENING IN VERDWIJNEN (Budapest/ an exercise in disappearing) together with Peter Aers. Starting point for this project was the experience of leaving your ‘safe zone’ and to be confronted with the unknown, which lead to stories of looking and finding. Through this practice the final result of such an experience can be translated to an audience in a open and honest way.

In 2009 Ceulemans and Aers’ next project started in collaboration with detheatermaker, NEW YORK - SAN FRANCISCO / THE HIDDEN TRACKS. Central focus in this project was also ‘experience’. “By pushing yourself to the limit in an unknown environment, you give yourself a clear opportunity to look at things from a different angle. This challenge can lead to an fascinating result, which can be either positive or negative.” (interview, Radio Klara).

The next project X / EEN OEFENING IN VERDWIJNEN (2011-2012) (X/ an exercise in disappearing) is a collaboration with Peter Aers and Leentje Vandenbussche. In this project they will try to lose all scruples and limitations. To loose yourself in looking, hoping to find a void that one can fill with the things they are afraid of. It will be an exercise in disappearing. We throw out anything redundant. Only the essential things remain.

Leentje Vandenbussche (Bruges, 1984) makes performances based upon graphic experience studies. During her education in three-dimensional design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Ghent she further investigated and felt out this medium. Central themes in her work are public space, voyeurism and the search for an accessible concept. She ended her education in simplicity and beauty with her performance Beckett in his place (2006), the starting shot for All and Nothing. After her education in theatre studies at the University of Antwerp, she went deeply into All, the sequel and closing section of All and Nothing. Five years after the first fascination and study of these subjects, O premiered in 2010. This turned out, despite the multiplicity of the subject, a sober all-embracing production. Together with the second section the additional exposition of All and Nothing with the graphic studies was finalized as well.

Currently she is working on X / Een oefening in verdwijnen, together with Peter Aers and Tijs Ceulemans. This project will premiere in April-May 2012.