Projects insights

During the COVID-19 lockdown, people were longing to step out of their everyday boring and isolated life to experience some social interaction again. In the summer just after the first lockdown, we translated this strong societal need into a successful earned media campaign.

Hundreds of actors were needed for this project. So we launched a call that was as mocking as the spirit of the great master himself. We pushed the right button, apparently: the requests to take part in this exuberant setting were overwhelming.

The participants could play a role in a contemporary version of Ensor’s well-known painting ‘The Baths of Ostend’. The Belgian photographer Athos Burez was the new master of this artwork. At first glance, the work is a tribute to the old painting. But Burez gave it a contemporary touch. He subtly and satirically shows the clichés of our society and addresses themes such as fugitives, pollution, mass tourism and inclusion.

The result, call for actors and the shooting days all became the talk of the town and of the (inter)national media. Athos Burez’s artwork became a center piece of the permanent exhibition in the Ensor House.

‍_{Special thanks:
Toerisme Vlaanderen: Tama D’haen, Pauline Steverlynck, Vincent Buyssens & Johan Verest
Visit Oostende: Pieter Hens, Isolde Simoens & Niels D'Hoedt
‍}‍_{Visual Artist (kunstenaar & fotograaf): Athos Burez
Productie kunstwerk: Nono C. Production - Chanel Selleslach
Retouches: Yelle Vandenbruaene
Productie Teaser / After movie: Robin StevensMedia:
Affichage: Rapid Media
Social media: Toerisme Vlaanderen}