Nieuwsblad | These art students want to fight for the homeland: “We've slurped subsidies for too long”
Max Dedulle
April 27, 2025 5:30pm
Source: www.nieuwsblad.be
“Don’t make art, make war!” Those who attended the KASK & Conservatory's openday on Sunday took a strange look at the message some students were putting out. “The world is in crisis,” it sounded. “Even art students must take responsibility.”
“As art students, we have been seen as subsidy slurpers for too long,” says Katrijn Ooms (21), master's student at KASK. “We think it's time to contribute something substantial, take matters into our own hands and really fight for the homeland.”
One way this is happening is through a very unexpected collaboration. “We are joining forces with the Royal Military School,” says fellow student Rune (21). “ For example, we are thinking of guest lectures on military strategies, as well as physical training and firearms training. In return, we artists will engage in defense campaigns.”
Or is it ultimately more of an ironic protest against the billions the government spends on defense, and the millions the cultural sector is forced to cut back? The booth at the open day — complete with banners, photos of mutilated civilians, and gunfire sounds — certainly attracted a lot of attention.
