Interview
Interview with Octopusssy: Young Brussels collective on scenography for ASAP Pilar Festival
Who is behind Octopusssy, and what does the collective do?
Andrea: “Octopusssy is the result of a collaboration between Laure, Hester, and Andrea. Each of us comes from a different background and brings a unique perspective. Despite our diverse interests, skills, ideas, and viewpoints, we always manage to create work with a recognizable ‘Octopusssy" signature’
Laure: “We met in Brussels about five years ago and quickly realized that we all love visual and tactile stimulation. This is where our interests intersect, and you can see it reflected in the work we create.
A fun fact: an octopus has three hearts—just like the three of us. It’s a perfect match for working together creatively.”
Laure: “We met in Brussels about five years ago and quickly realized that we all love visual and tactile stimulation. This is where our interests intersect, and you can see it reflected in the work we create.
A fun fact: an octopus has three hearts—just like the three of us. It’s a perfect match for working together creatively.”
How did the idea for Octopusssy come about?
Andrea: In the summer of 2023, we were asked to help with the scenography for House Against Hate. That’s when we first started working together and quickly realized how well we complemented each other. Soon after, Deux Chevaux asked us to create a scenography as well. That’s when we decided to officially form a collective with a focus on scenography.
Andrea: In the summer of 2023, we were asked to help with the scenography for House Against Hate. That’s when we first started working together and quickly realized how well we complemented each other. Soon after, Deux Chevaux asked us to create a scenography as well. That’s when we decided to officially form a collective with a focus on scenography.
Which projects are you most proud of?
Hester: “For me, the Free 54 project stands out the most. After spending a year creating sets for party spaces, it was time to apply our work to a different kind of event!”
Andrea: “When Niels (Coppens) from Free 54 asked us to create trees for a debate at the AB concert hall, we were truly honored. Their mission to reclaim public spaces is something we strongly support. Sint-Katelijne Plein was recreated inside the concert hall as a symbol of resistance against the privatization of public spaces like this square. For this project, we built trees over two meters high at the Zinneke workshops, where we learned to work with various machines and wood. It was an incredible experience to look back on.”
Hester: “For me, the Free 54 project stands out the most. After spending a year creating sets for party spaces, it was time to apply our work to a different kind of event!”
Andrea: “When Niels (Coppens) from Free 54 asked us to create trees for a debate at the AB concert hall, we were truly honored. Their mission to reclaim public spaces is something we strongly support. Sint-Katelijne Plein was recreated inside the concert hall as a symbol of resistance against the privatization of public spaces like this square. For this project, we built trees over two meters high at the Zinneke workshops, where we learned to work with various machines and wood. It was an incredible experience to look back on.”
Where do you find inspiration?
Laure: “Our inspiration comes intuitively—it’s shaped by our personal experiences, what we share with each other, and what we see and feel in terms of forms, colors, light, and textures.
We often collect materials from the street or places we randomly come across, sometimes finding repurposed materials along the way. But we also go on shared quests to find the perfect materials, shapes, and colors”
Laure: “Our inspiration comes intuitively—it’s shaped by our personal experiences, what we share with each other, and what we see and feel in terms of forms, colors, light, and textures.
We often collect materials from the street or places we randomly come across, sometimes finding repurposed materials along the way. But we also go on shared quests to find the perfect materials, shapes, and colors”
What was the idea behind your installation at ASAP Pilar?
Andrea: “Maarten from Pilar asked us to create a waiting space or bus shelter. We expanded on this idea and designed a waiting room with seating and draped fabrics that fit into our universe—a kind of waiting room that transports you into an alien underwater world… the Octopusssy universe”
Laure: “We wanted to create a space where people could wander, spin around, or wait for their friends and tickets. Something that could be high and low. Something you could be inside, on top of, or underneath. Something that could be next to, in front of, or behind”
Andrea: “Maarten from Pilar asked us to create a waiting space or bus shelter. We expanded on this idea and designed a waiting room with seating and draped fabrics that fit into our universe—a kind of waiting room that transports you into an alien underwater world… the Octopusssy universe”
Laure: “We wanted to create a space where people could wander, spin around, or wait for their friends and tickets. Something that could be high and low. Something you could be inside, on top of, or underneath. Something that could be next to, in front of, or behind”
What does liminality mean to you?
Andrea: "For me, liminality is a kind of active pause in this hyper-driven and fast-paced world. It’s a state of in-between, a space to reflect on the past, let go of baggage, and explore future possibilities without having to make a choice. It’s about being fully present in the moment, with all your potential, but without identity or ego."
Hester: “I hadn’t really heard of the word "liminality" before this project. But now that I think about it, it reminds me of the time between Christmas and New Year’s. That week where nothing really happens—everyone is waiting for the new year while still recovering from Christmas. I love that feeling, the sense that nothing has to happen because everyone is in a state of anticipation”
Andrea: "For me, liminality is a kind of active pause in this hyper-driven and fast-paced world. It’s a state of in-between, a space to reflect on the past, let go of baggage, and explore future possibilities without having to make a choice. It’s about being fully present in the moment, with all your potential, but without identity or ego."
Hester: “I hadn’t really heard of the word "liminality" before this project. But now that I think about it, it reminds me of the time between Christmas and New Year’s. That week where nothing really happens—everyone is waiting for the new year while still recovering from Christmas. I love that feeling, the sense that nothing has to happen because everyone is in a state of anticipation”
Which ASAP concert are you most looking forward to? Any personal favorites?
Andrea: ” We’re definitely coming to the evening with Upsammy and Valentina Magaletti—it looks very promising! I also really want to see Elena Colombi live”
Andrea: ” We’re definitely coming to the evening with Upsammy and Valentina Magaletti—it looks very promising! I also really want to see Elena Colombi live”
Written by Eline Vancraeyveldt
12 March 2025
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