The Crystal Ship Summit

Ostend provided the setting for the first edition of The Crystal Ship Summit, a two-day programme that brought together culture and tourism professionals to discuss current issues in street art and public space. With a compact Us By Night selection, a substantive Expert Conference and a public keynote by David Shrigley, the Summit immediately established a clear identity!

UBN Focus

Us By Night made its debut in Ostend on 31 March with UBN FOCUS, a concise selection of four leading creatives. The programme brought together prominent figures from the worlds of photography, graphic design, illustration and multidisciplinary art. The evening offered visitors a direct insight into the vision and practice of creators who are making their mark on the international scene.

Expert Conference

On 1 April, the Expert Conference served as the beating heart for professionals from the international street art and tourism sectors. During a packed programme, pressing issues were addressed, such as control over city walls and the fine line between social impact and ‘artwashing’. The afternoon was interactive: participants were explicitly invited to join the debate, with plenty of opportunity to share their own views and expertise. This input sparked a lively dialogue between the panellists and the audience.

David Shrigley

The Summit concluded with a public keynote by David Shrigley at ET ALORS. For an hour, the British artist delivered a blend of humour, wit and unexpected vulnerability. He reflected on creativity, mental resilience and the absurdity of being an artist. His characteristic dry humour made for a relaxed yet intellectually stimulating evening. The Q&A session made the whole event personal and interactive. It was a fitting conclusion to two days full of dialogue and inspiration!

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