I SMELL A RAT

Book launch and theatrical installation
Paul Devens / Cristina Raduica

16.01.-18.01.2025
Opening 16.01. at 17.00
Open: 17 & 18 January 13:00-17:00

‘I smell a rat’, an expression of something dodgy happening, is covering the cooperation in between the two authors. Based upon the flash stories Cristina wrote in between 2022 and 2024, Paul drew surreal buildings and situations, resonating loosely with these. The stories in the book I smell a rat are based on observations, overhearing or wider reading. This publication is celebrating the shared love for the absurd, the otherworldly and the disturbing.

The theatrical installation is based upon the short play Under the most agreeable circumstances for a male and a female voice by Cristina Raduica. At B32, an absurd dialogue is established between this soundscape of voices, wall-filling prints of bizarre scenes and a choreography of furniture. The acoustics and architecture of B32, along with the movement of the audience through the space, are active participants in the installation.

Voices by Greg Marston and Jane McDowell
Book published by Hématomes Éditions
Design: NNstudio, Pierre Geurts, Antoine Lantair, Mathis Curcio
Translation to French: Julie Hanique, Tatum Florence and Emeric Florence
French title: ‘Un sous-marin sous le carrelage’

powered by Gemeente Maastricht, Mondriaan Fund, NNstudio and B32

 Bios:

The possible manifestations of physical space and social context define the site-specific qualities of the work of Paul Devens (Maastricht, 1965). To make a unique work in a given space makes itcompulsory to engage a custom strategy to fit that specific situation in order to issue- and to unfold the distinctive qualities of that space. Devens produces sound art, intervenes in architecture and cooperates with other makers.

Cristina Raduica (Bucharest, 1989) studied screenwriting at Scuola di Cinema Sentieri Selvaggi, Rome, which is what planted the seed of writing what, years later, blossomed into this book. She graduated in Arts and Humanities (Creative Writing) with the Open University and is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychological Studies with the same university.