Today, on International Teacher's Day, a unique art project named Rope has been launched in Leuven. This initiative, conceived by Leuven-based artist Ief Spincemaille, features a hand-woven artwork exceeding eleven meters in length. For four years, it will travel to all 72 primary and secondary schools in the city. The project, which commenced at De Met in Kessel-Lo, invites teachers and students to interpret the artwork themselves and fosters encounters between schools.
Rope serves as a surprising catalyst for schools to convene, meet each other, and appreciate the teaching profession. Education alderman Lalynn Wadera emphasizes that the project conveys the message that teaching in Leuven is a celebration. 'Thousands of teachers make a difference here every day,' Wadera stated. 'With Rope, we give them something special: an artwork that encourages them to experiment with ideas alongside their students and be surprised. By transporting it to the next school themselves, they also connect with colleagues and students beyond their own institution.'
Starting today, Rope follows a fixed route through the city, beginning at De Met and concluding in 2030 at Sancta Maria. Each school hosts the artwork for at least two weeks before passing it on to the next institution. Schools have the freedom to place Rope in classrooms, playgrounds, during excursions, or in staff rooms, using it as a starting point for projects. The method of transport—on foot, by bicycle, or via an original school activity—is up to the schools, creating a chain of encounters.
Ief Spincemaille describes Rope as more than just a connection; it's an invitation to make the familiar unusual. A manual accompanies the artwork, guiding schools in exploring the artist's methodology, developed since 2017 in public spaces. 'We are not just passing on an artwork, but also a way of working,' Spincemaille explains. 'You take Rope, choose a spot together, and try something out. People's reactions shape the artwork.' The primary rule is to be surprised by what Rope evokes, even if it causes inconvenience.
The Rope project is internationally acclaimed, having won a Henry van de Velde Award in the Community category in 2019. This Leuven edition, traveling to 72 schools, is notably longer than the standard eleven meters. The exact length and the reason behind it are left for Leuven's teachers and students to discover. Alderman Wadera looks forward to seeing the stories that will emerge from Rope in the coming years and invites everyone to follow its journey at leuvenvoorscholen.be/rope.
