Gaining international recognition for her choreographic approach that merges dance, visual arts, theater, and performance, Miet Warlop makes her debut at REF with INHALE, DELIRIUM, EXHALE. The Belgian artist—recently appointed to represent the Belgian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale—draws inspiration for her new production from the movement of waves, a symbol of change and unpredictability, a metaphor for imagination and transformation. Accompanied by a group of performers and 1,500 meters of silk fabric, Warlop seeks to give tangible form to the inner turbulence of the creative process—a wave rising and spilling into the space. Images erupt, propelled by the music of DEEWEE, in a choreography that unfolds like a ritual concert, an experiential performance that is poetic, powerful, and no less infused with irony. A deep dive into a visual universe as immersive as it is overwhelming—into that delirium that emerges between one breath and the next.
Miet Warlop (b. 1978, Belgium) is a visual artist and choreographer known for her interdisciplinary performances. After earning a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Ghent), she gained attention with projects like SPORTBAND and Springville, which have toured worldwide. Her work blends theater, dance, and visual arts, creating immersive and unexpected experiences. Her most acclaimed performances include Mystery Magnet, which won the Stückemarkt Theatertreffen Prize in Berlin, and Fruits of Labor, which premiered at Kunstenfestivaldesarts in 2016. Her visual art has been showcased in major institutions such as KW Institute (Berlin) and Palais de Tokyo (Paris). She recently premiered Histoire(s) du Théâtre IV: One Song at the Festival d’Avignon and is developing Delirium, set to premiere in 2025.
Concept, scenography and direction:Miet Warlop
Music:
in collaboration with DEEWEE
Performers:
Milan Schudel, Emiel Vandenberghe, Margarida Ramalhete, Lara Chedraoui, Mattis Clement, Elias Demuynck
Scenography:
Miet Warlop in collaboration with Mattis Clement
Costumes:
Miet Warlop in collaboration with Elias Demuynck supervised by Tom Van Der Borght
Internships: Nel Gevaerts / KITOS & Nana Bonsu, Sofia Ristori / Ursulinen Mechelen,
Textile creatives: Ginger Bogaert, Rowan Boeijen, Michelle Van Neste
Light design:
Henri Emmanuel Doublier
Light:
DREEETEN Bert van Maris / Thomas Deptula
Sound:
Ditten Lerooij + Hector Devriendt/Niels Orens
Assistant director:
Marius Lefever
Technical coordination:
Pepijn Mesure
Outside eye:
Danai Anesiadou, Giacomo Bisordi
Tour / General management:
Saskia Liénard
Distribution:
Frans Brood Productions
coproducers & partners:
INHALE DELIRIUM EXHALE is a production by Irene Wool in coproduction with NTGent (BE) ,Kunstenfestivaldesarts & Kaaitheater Brussel (BE), La Biennale de Lyon (FR) & Holding Textile Hermès, Tanzquartier Wenen (DE), La Villette Parijs (FR), Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxemburg (LU), , Tandem Scène Nationale Arras/Douai (FR), Internationales Sommerfestival Kampnagel Hamburg (DE), Le Lieu Unique Nantes (FR), Romaeuropa Festival Rome (IT), Teatro Municipal do Porto (PT), Theaterfestival Boulevard ’s-Hertogenbosch (NL), Athens & Epidaurus Festival (GR), Sharjah Art Foundation (AE), Temporada Alta – Festival internacional de Catalunya Girona/Salt (ES), HAU Hebbel am Ufer (Berlin). With the support of the Flemish Government, Stad Gent, Perpodium and Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government
thanks to:
Sylvie Svanberg (production creation), Marjolein Demey (tech coordination creation), Pieter Kinoli (light creation), Michelle Vosters , Jeroen Olyslaegers, Flup Beys, Micha Volders, Pol Heyvaert , Kenneth De Vos, Geert Viaene / Amotec, Florence Carlisi, LOD muziektheater, Milo Rau
