Group actions, art occupations and habitations on tables
Nov 2026
Concept and Art Direction: Monique Allain
CONCEPT
THE ART BLITZ SUR TABLE are artistic events offered graciously by the participants to institutional, private, or public spaces that embrace our values and causes. The project consists of a series of actions with pop-up occupations and habitations (exhibitions) to be replicated, constituting a pacific movement in which artists support life and peace in a sustainable environment. Art is a powerful tool for transformation. The precise and effective actions have unlimited potential for growth. They always happen within the same consistent pattern, thus constituting an identity. The artworks presented are engaged with the cause of peace and environmental sustainability. They vary in each action, making the events new and fresh.
The project aims to insert art into people's daily lives, especially the artist's books. It intends to advocate for the urgent need of being united and contributing together, in a poetic way, to transform our planet into a better world. It also enables a direct connection to the public, giving voice to the artists.
DESCRIPTION
Participants wearing black clothes arrive all together, in a coordinated operation, each one carrying a white folding table and a black soft bag containing their artwork and minimal personal items. Uniformity and lightness are essential. Artists need to purchase their own table and bag. The tables, which are white, small, and portable, must precisely match the model and size indicated below. The bags must be black, soft, and discreet. In 10 min the participants set the space. They open their table and display their artwork on the top. There is nothing on the walls or elsewhere. The black bags with personal items are left together in a corner or in the middle of the space (depending on the location), creating one or more little piles of things in black. They compose a collective installation. All the rest is neat and visually clean. Thereafter, the artists are ready to present the artworks, interact, and chat with the public. The duration of the activity is variable and depends on the circumstances. However, it is estimated to be a maximum of 3 hours. In the end, all participants, in a synchronized time, pack the works, fold the tables, and leave the space together. This operation needs to be completed in 10 min.
Punctuality is a crucial aspect of this event. Every participant should arrive 10 minutes earlier and wait nearby, in a secluded location, avoiding congregating until it is the right time to be in the designated spot. Surprise and synchronization are essential to powerfully engage the public. At the scheduled time, we all advance and occupy the performance space.
As the project is meant to grow, there will be a first generation of 10 artists participating in the events, discussing together adjustments and new possibilities. They will constitute a “council” for the ART BLITZ SUR TABLE project. Periodically, each first generation participant will have the opportunity to invite another artist for next actions, sharing all procedures and logistics with their “protégé”. This procedure will be replicated, and the artists from the 2nd generation will be able to invite a 3rd generation participant, and so on. The strategy of occupation adopted for ART BLITZ SUR TABLE is inspired by LE DÎNER EN BLANC created in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier.
The actions are pacific, inclusive, and legal. All participants must act in accordance with the law.
TITLE
"Blitz" comes from the German word for "lightning", implying a swift and decisive attack, while "Kunst" means "art". This title combines the idea of rapid occupation with the concept of art. The French phrase “sur table” literally means "on the table". It commonly refers to the idiom “jouer cartes sur table” (“to play cards on the table”), meaning to be open, honest and transparent about one’s intentions. It can also mean something is “on the table” for discussion, or more literally, an item is placed on a table.
LOCATIONS
The locations for our actions may be public or private. In case of public spaces, official authorization is required. In case of private spaces, the locations must be aligned with our values of promoting peace, environmental preservation, and non-discrimination. Also, the venues should be interested in offering content to their public, rather than focused on commercial benefits. There is no budget, and the spaces should be offered with no charges, in exchange for the contents we are offering.
ACTIONS SCHEDULED
1. ART BLITZ SUR TABLE AT THE BARN
Participants
First generation artists
Location
Barn at 264 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY, 10560
Dates & Time
Opening Sat April 4th - 2PM to 6PM
Closing Sun April 26th – 2PM to 6PM
1st Weekend
Sat 4th - 2PM to 6PM – Opening (all artists if possible)
Sun 5th - 2PM to 6PM
2nd Weekend
Sat 11th - 2PM to 6PM
Sun 12th - 2PM to 6PM
3rd Weekend
Sat 18th - 2PM to 6PM
Sun 19th - 2PM to 6PM
4th Weekend
Sat 15th - 2PM to 6PM
Sun 26th - 2PM to 6PM – Closing (all artists if possible)
Details
All artists should be at the opening and at the closing days, to do the performances. Besides these days, each artist should schedule one other day when the exhibition is running to be at The Barn hosting the public. There will be an activity, and at least 2 artists should be present and in charge of the program. It can be a performance, a talk, a music presentation, a guided visit or something else. Nothing should be hung on the walls. All should be clean and neat.
