The walk

During the walk the artists can investigate among other things the instinctive orientation capacity and how man and animals concretely use it. And also: how can man keep this group together? How can he motivate the animals? How stubborn or sweet can the animals be? How can he explain the way to Amsterdam to them? Or do they already know? Will the artists and the animals develop a friendship bond? Will they feel homesick and if so, how will they express it? How did the Bremen town musicians find their way? Will a Saint Francis appear in each of the artists? Will they behave like the animals’ carers? Or will the animals end up by taking the ‘caring’ or ‘leading’ part? Every artist will approach and treat the animals in his own, specific way. How will the animals respond to them?

The animals will provide food, clothing, power and transport. The cow gives milk and can carry the artists, the dog keeps them warm at night, the chicken lays eggs and the sheep sings them to sleep. The entire group will try to survive on the food they get from these animals (milk, eggs,…), edible things they pick up on their way like dandelions and plantains, or gifts from casual passers-by.

The walk is only the prelude to the final goal: the creation of a performance/show. The relationship between the three artists and between the artists and the animals will be the main subject of the performance. The three artists will render a poetical ‘report’ using the tools of their respective disciplines (film, performance, word art and plastic arts). The images, made by a camera team during the journey, will also be included in the performance. Furthermore, the animal parade is a perfect excuse to get in touch with passers-by. Finally the artists will also use the stories arising from this experience.