Marres, House for Contemporary Culture, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of special events held on the 25th of every month. On March 25, Marres will be hosting a storytelling night surrounding the exhibition Vultures & Fireflies by the Mexican artist Alejandro Galván, in cooperation with Limestone Books.
With: Chang Chih Chung, Iris de Leeuw, Jeff the Queer Turtle, Wu Qin and Max Yust
Alejandro paints large-scale works, drawing from a vast range of sources and materials to create a hyper-detailed chronicle of his barrio, Nezahualcóyotl. In what he calls a vivid dream of Mexican society, he seeks to address the deep injustices and widespread corruption that shape everyday life while bringing unheard stories into the grand narrative of history—ensuring they are not forgotten. His work challenges the notion that he and his fellow residents of Nezahualcóyotl are marginalized or invisible; rather, they belong to a community whose story has yet to be told. And that story, at its core, resonates far beyond Nezahualcóyotl, echoing the experiences of people from other countries, cities, villages, and even different eras. Galván paints because he refuses to let these stories disappear.
With this in mind, we invite you to gather around a campfire in Marres’ intimate city garden and share your own story—stories that should not be lost. Fact or fiction, it doesn’t matter, as long as they help connect people through oral history. They may even be told in different languages, celebrating the richness of diverse voices and perspectives.
Date:
Tuesday 25 March
Time:
19:00-21:00
Location:
Marres
Capucijnenstraat 98, Maastricht
We appreciate your contribution through the pay what you can principle. Register for the story night at reserveringen@marres.org
The event takes place in the garden of Marres. Wear a warm coat!
Chang Chih Chung
Chang Chih Chung is an artist, cultural researcher, and art educator with a background in art conservation. His work explores the ocean as a worldview and water as a medium of transition, flow, and instability—reflecting Taiwan’s subtropical monsoon climate. Focusing on rapidly changing environments like ships, islands, and ports, he examines the tensions between humans, civilization, and nature. His practice blends storytelling with craftsmanship, spanning various media, site-specific projects, and workshops.
Chang Chih Chung will share a story about two Dutch sailors from the 17th century who, in different years, survived shipwrecks in East Asia while serving in the VOC, together with the unexpected journey and life that followed.
Iris de Leeuw
Iris de Leeuw, a member of Luuks Laboratorium/Ontbijt op bed, was inspired by Constant’s New Babylon to design the speespak (space suit). This adaptable outfit, with interchangeable trouser legs, promoted flexibility and social interaction, reflecting a vision of modernized social space.
In a letter to Sascha, the writer reflects on the intense themes of guilt and punishment explored in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. The letter delves into personal memories of the writer’s father, who committed a horrific act of murder, and the complex emotions surrounding his actions…
Max Yust
Max Yust is a map artist and writer known for his intricate and imaginative cartography. His work blends artistry with storytelling, creating maps that not only depict geographical spaces but also evoke narratives and emotions.
Long ago, an island rose from the sea, lush and teeming with life, offering everything needed for survival. When a shipwrecked crew stumbled upon it, they carved messages into driftwood, which eventually brought others to the island…
Jeff the Queer Turtle
Jeff van Reen (also known as Jeff the Queer Turtle) is a spoken word artist who uses poetry and rhythm to create a raw connection with the audience. He wholeheartedly believes in the power of vulnerability and fully exposes himself on stage. His ultimate goal is as a human being to connect with other humans by building bridges under which stigmas can float away.
Wu Qin
Wu Qin is a writer, journalist, researcher, editor, and activist. She used to be active in the cultural and activism scene in China. Her focus is on social movements, alternative political practices, and the the leftovers of globalisation. She recently moved to Berlin from Beijing.