Institute of Associations
The Five Encounters

The Five Encounters is a series of layered gatherings bringing together art, conversation and experience, organised by Institute of Associations in co-production with Pop Up Cinema and DansBrabant. Around The Five, a multidisciplinary performance by Merijn Bisschops, explores five urgent themes that divide and connect our times. Each encounter opens from a different perspective. Sometimes philosophical, sometimes activist, sometimes playful or vulnerable. The topics? Sexual freedom, cancel culture, the (fe)male gaze, pigeonholing, and the paradox of freedom.

Each meeting is a mini-universe with its own atmosphere, location and programme: from dance film to panel discussion, from workshop to art intervention. The Five Encounters and individual programme sections can be visited separately, together forming an ongoing exploration of freedom, identity and expression. Check below for an overview of all encounters.

4. Do we want to see everything?
Thursday 23 April 2026, 7pm
@ Willem Twee Poppodium, 's-Hertogenbosch

Porn is at our fingertips with a click and we do not lie awake over extreme violence or murder in the films and series we watch. Yet breasts are censored on social media, blocks to taboo-breaking art are erected and unwanted views are hijacked. In a time of cancel culture and online threats, we ask the question: what are we still allowed to say and show? Are there limits to our artistic freedom?

A production by IoA, in co-production with DansBrabant & Pop Up Cinema. Made possible by the Municipality of Tilburg and the Province of North Brabant.

THE FIVE ENCOUNTERS

1. Have we become more prudish?
Sunday, 30 November 2025, 2 p.m.
@ Blue Collar & Area51, Eindhoven

2. Does the (fe)male gaze exist?
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 7 p.m.
@ Mezz, Breda

3. Who pierces the bubbles?
Sunday 29 March 2026, 2 p.m.
@ Hall of Fame, Tilburg

4. Do we want to see everything?
Thursday 23 April 2026, 7pm
@ Willem Twee Poppodium, 's-Hertogenbosch

5. Are we limited by our freedom?
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 2 p.m.
@ Hall of Fame, Tilburg