Abstract : Duo scenographer Shizuka Hariu and architect Shin Hagiwara from SHSH Architecture + Scenography designed the festival scenography for Compil d’Avril, held by Charleroi Danses at the former sugar factory ‘Raffinerie’ in Brussels.

Text : At the ‘Raffinerie’, the industrial and enclosed space is deprived of a place where the public can gather to enjoy performances. The challenge for this commission was to create the revival of space. SHSH’s scenography welcomes the excitement of the public in a suspended time between the ordinary moment in the street and the imaginary moment of the performances.

The scenography entitled ‘Spring Cloud’ provides a refreshing space, ideal for the festival, which takes place in spring. A cotton candy-like cloud structure is set above the stage and filters the natural coloured light. Along with the use of pink and white as the theme colours, the scenography perfectly imitates the feeling of spring, detaching the industrial site from its past and offering lightness to the festival.

The bar and furniture are constructed from wooden pallets. The use of natural untreated wood, combined with the white space creates a pleasant harmony. These materials are recyclable after the festival. The ‘Spring Cloud’ scenography was also used as a background for the ‘50 Degrees North’ cultural program, broadcasted by the Belgian TV channel ARTE at the Compil d’Avril Festival.