For more than two years, theatre-maker and director Simon Allemeersch relocated his workplace to an empty flat in the Rabot Towers in Ghent – a council housing complex slated for demolition. His stay was not only documented in a book, but also in a joint exhibition with the artist Sofie Van der Linden and the photographer Maarten De Vrieze.
“Rabot 4-358” is now set out as a documentary performance. It reconstructs the history of the Rabot buildings along with the life of Simon Allemeersch in this workplace and was developed in collaboration with residents. It sets out in search of answers to simple questions. Why were the first residents regarded as respected citizens? How could things change so quickly? And what has the design of the buildings got to do with it? “Rabot 4-358” tells a personal story of life, economy, poverty and individual visions at the intersection of architecture, urban planning, history and design.