Split in the City / G I D S

G I D S stands for Gat In De Stad or Vide dans la ville (Split in the city) and is a strategy for creative action on urban places in transformation.

Cities are in constant transformation. Therefore sites that are evolving from one function to the other often leave a derelict impression. Instead of complaining about this, G I D S sees this as a big opportunity. First of all the future of the site is not yet fixed, there might still be a possibility to influence this future. And secondly, these unused sites provide a perfect opportunity for young artists to show their work. The two combined offer a strong recipe for creative action.

The development of the Midi Station provided the first opportunity for G I D S. In February 2002 the concrete foundations of the future development were transformed into over a hundred colourful plastic houses. It created a colourful image on the grey building site, meanwhile it raised the issue of affordable housing in an area under pressure of office development.

The next G I D S is planned for spring 2005.

Ongoing projects:

L-Atlas
Precare
Generalized Empowerment
Krax
Micronomics
Cartografie
Bouillot

Publications:

Bunker Souple Repertorium 1998 & 2000: available at Citymine(d) offices.

Generalized Empowerment. Uneven Development and Urban Interventions, 2006. Download here.

MapRAC. Plannen voor het RijksAdministratief Centrum. La Cité Administrative de l'Etat en cartes & en question, 2004: available at Citymine(d) offices.

Micronomics scanning: DVD online soon.

Networkbook for Urban P/Arts. 42 initiatives capturing London's Public Space, 2004: available at Citymin(e)d offices.

Towards. Cartes Subjectives d'interventions Urbaines à Bruxelles // Subjectieve Kaarten van Stedelijke Internventies in Brussel: available at Citymine(d) offices.