rile*

rile* is a bookshop and project space for publication and performance. we are into queer feminist poetry, theory, choreography, artist writing and various other text based experiments. we organize performances, meetings, launches, readings and other projects around publishing and performance practice. rile* is the base word for silence in Láadan, a feminist constructed language developed by Suzette Haden Elgin in 1982. The language was included in her science fiction Native Tongue series. Láadan contains a number of words that are used to make unambiguous statements that include how one feels about what one is saying. According to Elgin, this is designed to counter language's limitations to those who are forced to respond I know I said that, but I meant this.

Who’s involved in it?

At the moment we are two people taking care of the project in general, and about six volunteers who we share the work with.

What’s your origin story and your motivation?

It's been a coming together of a lot of different things that made us decide to start the project. We felt there was a lack of access to a lot of different kinds of publications by queer feminist people and people of color in Brussel at large. We also felt there was a lack for a space that would focus on a kind of artistic and literary production that otherwise would remain in the margins of spaces or institutions at best. We wanted to organise both a physical but also a social context for these kinds of practices.

What are some of your favorite spots in Brussels?

Somehow hard to say. Projects and spaces come and go in Brussels. And since 2020 those spaces feel harder to articulate. Parks and porches!

Where can we find you virtually and/or physically?

Our shop and project space is open to the public on Wednesday and Thursday from 11h to 17h, and from Friday to Sunday from 11h to 19h. The space is located at Rue des Commerçants 62, 1000 Brussels.

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rile*, 2020

*based on queer archives