09.02.24 – 17.03.24, Marijke De Roover, CUM AS YOUR MADNESS

With her solo exhibition in the main space of KIOSK, Marijke De Roover invites visitors to an extreme immersive horror experience: a cinematic, theatrical, and physically and psychologically intense performance that engages them through interaction, evocative themes, and larger-than-life narrative tactics. 

Cum as Your Madness is a psychedelic, sadomasochistic, decomposed narrative of feminist self-actualization against a macho hegemony, improvised around unlikely pop cultural references.

The exhibition takes the form of a folky, (semi-)pornographic haunted house that is accessible at specific moments, upon reservation, to groups of a maximum of five persons. The ensuing performances, in which these viewers will participate, will be filmed and the footage used to create a new multichannel video installation as an amendment to De Roover’s movie Cum as Your Madness, presented in 2023 at Centre Pompidou and investigating correlations between patriarchy, sexism, and the religious fanaticism that fired historical witch hunts.

With this project at KIOSK, Marijke De Roover aims to explore BDSM as a ritual and as religious theater: “Rituals are complex events, involving multiple persons with varying expectations, a variety of acts in which various people participate with various levels of intentionality and commitment and so much more. BDSM is not just an example but a paradigm of ritual because this theatrical act consciously and intentionally toys with and makes use of frightening scenes to open up another world through the intense exchange of powers and relationships. In this way, BDSM can contribute to the process of transgressing and transcending stereotyped gender roles, developing trust and negotiation skills, and rehearsing vulnerability through both control and submission.”

About Marijke De Roover

Marijke De Roover (1990, BE) is a part-time professional karaoke singer and meme connoisseur, yet currently known mostly for her queer/feminist performance work. She lives and works in Brussels, Belgium. Her work has been shown at, among others venues: Centre Pompidou, Paris (FR), EMST, Athens (GR), Museum fur Neue Kunst, Freiburg (DE), Museum de Pont, Tilburg (NL), MUHKA, Antwerp (BE), Garage Rotterdam (NL), Point Ephemere, Paris (FR), UNTITLED, Moscow (RU), BOZAR, Brussels (BE), Extra City, Antwerp (BE), Mu.ZEE, Ostend (BE), ARCADE, London (UK), ISELP, Brussels (BE), Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt am Main (DE), Beursschouwburg, Brussels (BE).

Practical information

• The haunted house will be accessible for performances on the 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th of February for the performance.
• Each day will have five performances at 6 pm, 6.45 pm, 7.30 pm, 8.15 pm and 9 pm
• Each performance lasts 25-30 minutes. Visitors must arrive 30 minutes before the start of the performance.
• Ticket price for the performance: € 10
• From the 29th of February, the haunted house will be accessible for free for the screening of Marijke De Roover's movie.
• Address: Louis Pasteurlaan 2, 9000 Ghent

Reserve your ticket for the performance

• If you would like to be part of one of the performances, please send an email to simon.delobel@hogent.be, with the date(s) you would like to come. Groups of five visitors will be created 
• Your reservation will be completed only after reception of payment by KIOSK's bank account: BE13 0015 3285 6139

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

inspired by MIASMA (Chicago) & BLACKOUT (closed)

Participation Conditions for Cum as Your Madness 

• Cum as Your Madness is an intense horror experience restricted to individuals aged 18 and above. IDs will be checked.
• Those with the following conditions are advised against participating: heart or respiratory problems, seizures/epilepsy, pregnancy, leg/back injuries, and/or anxiety, depression, PTSD, claustrophobia, or other serious mental illness.
• Guests must inform KIOSK of any injuries or allergies before participating.
• The event is not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.

Cum as Your Madness may involve:

• Strobe and blinding lights
• Dim light/total darkness
• Aggressive physical contact
• Graphic adult content
• Situational intensity
• Emotional distress
• Psychological challenges
• Constant movement
• Crawling on hard surfaces
• Restraint
• Water
• Nudity
• Claustrophobia
• Demeaning language
• Fog
• Loud audio

Before participating, be aware that Cum as Your Madness includes graphic horror content such as violence, sexual acts, emotional distress, and physical intensity. This event will be recorded, and your authorization for the use of documentation will be required.

Rules and Instructions for the Event

• Follow all instructions, including for preparations before the event.
• Arrive on time and do not run.
• While actors may touch you, no touching or threatening of actors is allowed. Any violation will result in immediate removal without exceptions or refunds.
• A safety word is available for those wishing to stop participating, no refund will be provided.
• Individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted, with no refund given.
• Participants must sign a waiver and fully comply with the rules, acknowledging all associated risks and dangers. Failure to follow instructions will lead to immediate removal with no refund.