DDE
Dirk Decloedt
Unique Theatrical Experiences
Dirk Decloedt
Director | writer
As an independent show director, conceptual designer and video artist and with his extensive audio-visual talent and expertise, Dirk Decloedt has garnered widespread respect and acclaim. From Beijing to Broadway, from fashion to fantasy, Decloedt’s restless, ethereal, creative mind has signed for a wide variety of shows, video content and concepts.
Each creation is the result of an in-depth search for essence and perfection. Fascinated by the combination of both live spectacle and the virtual worlds of image and film, Dirk Decloedt relies on 30 years of experience and an education ranging from philosophy and cultural studies over video art and film directing to fashion design. Hence, it was in the infamous Belgian fashion industry he accomplished his first professional challenges with the Royal Academy of Fashion in Antwerp and shows for Walter Van Beirendonck. From there he grew into corporate events, live mass audience entertainment and theatrical productions. Intrigued by Dirk Decloedt’s work, Franco Dragone – former director of Cirque du Soleil – commissioned him the development and direction of all video content for A New Day, the Celine Dion Show in Las Vegas (2003).
They successfully continued their collaboration on, amongst others, Le Rêve in Las Vegas (video content design and assistant director – 2005), House of Dancing Water in Macau, China (conceptual design – 2007) and the opening of Santiago Calatrava’s train station in Liège, Belgium (conceptual de- sign and direction – 2009).
Later additions of this collaboration were Dirk’s conceptual development of the Han Show – Wuhan, China (FDEG) 2012, his work as Associate Director on the national cultural project “Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation” in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2013 and La Perle in Dubai. (2017)
Furthermore, Dirk Decloedt’s concepts include projects for French designer Philippe Starck (2000), the American Mind Freak Criss Angel (2004), (the late) Broadway icons Cy Coleman and Larry Gelbart and Hollywood’s multiple acclaimed Alan and Marilyn Bergman (2004-2006), Radio City Music Hall (Christmas Spectacular 2006), British singer-songwriter Sting (2006) and Britney Spears for her Circus World Tour (2009).
In 2015, he co-founded Drop The Spoon, the visual artists’ collective that participated over 5 years in multiple successful shows on 4 continents.
In 2020, Dirk decided to leave Drop The Spoon and to work again as an independent director and designer with a renewed focus on creativity and storytelling as his main goal and passion.
In recent years, Dirk has been drawn back to the Middle East due to various exciting opportunities. Notably, he directed a remarkable launch event for MSC’s new cruiseship in Doha, Qatar in 2022. Additionally, he orchestrated the captivating Formula E opening shows for the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2023. Furthermore, Dirk took on the role of art director for the MENA Climate Week Exposition, a prestigious event hosted by the United Nations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2023.
These recent ventures have not only allowed him to contribute to the cultural and artistic landscape of the Middle East but have also solidified his reputation as a professional in his field. As Dirk continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of different continents and regions, his passion for creating unforgettable experiences remains unwavering.
Each creation is the result of an in-depth search for essence and perfection.
A SELECTION OF REFERENCES
PERFORMANCE / CIRQUE SHOWS
La Perle – Dubai, U.A.E. – Creative Consultant – 2017 – Dragone
The Han Show – Wuhan, China – Script Development – Creative Consultant – 2014 – Dragone
The House of Dancing Water – City of Dreams, Macau, China – Script Development – 2010 – Dragone
Le Rêve – Wynn Hotels Las Vegas, U.S.A. Video Content Director & Assistant Director to Franco Dragone – 2005 – Dragone
CONCERTS
Je m’appelle Jacques Brel – Vorst Nationaal, Brussels Belgium – Director, Script & Video Content – 2018 – Music Hall
Britney Spears ‘Circus Tour’ – Los Angeles, U.S.A.– Video Content Director – 2009 – AEG Live
Britney Spears – Live Bambi Awards, Germany– Video Content Director – 2008 – AEG Live
Britney Spears – X-Factor, UK – Video Content Director– Video Content Director – 2008 – AEG Live
Celine Dion ‘A new Day’ – Las Vegas, U.S.A.– Video Content Director – 2003 – Dragone
INAUGURATIONS
MSC WORLD EUROPA – Launch of new cruise ship – Doha, Qatar – Script Development, Director – 2022 – Balich WWS
Een dikke Merci – 25 years VTM – Nieuwpoort coast, Belgium – Script Development, Director – 2014 – DPG Media
Gare à Vous – Liège Guillemins, Santiago Calatrava’s trainstation opening – Script Development, Director – 2009 – Dragone
Crown Macau opening – Macau, China – Script Development, Video Content Director – 2007 – Dragone
THEATER
Mother of a Nation – Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – Video Content Director – 2016 – Balich WWS
David Goldrake – Imaginarium – Las Vegas, U.S.A. – Video Content Director – 2016 – David Goldrake
Story of a Fort – Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – Script Development – Associate Director to Franco Dragone – 2013 – Dragone
Taboo 1 – Macau, China – Script Development, Director – 2012 – Dragone
150 Years of Claude Debussy – Belgium – Script Development, Director, Video Content Designer, Producer – 2011 – DDE
The Christmas Spectacular – Radio City Musichall, New York U.S.A. – Video Content Designer – 2006 – Radio City
ARCHITECTURAL
Renaissance – Les Nuits de Chambord, France – Script Development, Directing – 2022 – Masters & Events Factory
Lumière Intemporelle – Cathedral of Strasbourg, France – Script Development, Directing – 2016 – ACT
CORPORATE
Formula E opening shows Diriyah Season 9 for MoS – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Script, Directing – 2023 – Time Entertainment
Belfius Bank – Wealth Management – Shows Wavre, Liège, Antwerpen, Gent, Belgium – Directing – 2022/23 – Olivier Saxe
Levi’s Europe – Shows, Milano, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona – Script Development, Directing – 2016 – 2019 – Kcom
Mobistar > Orange Launch – Brussels, Belgium – Script Developmment, Directing – 2016 – Balthazar
International Solid Waste Association – Antwerp, Belgium – Script Development, Directing – 2015 – Balthazar
EXPOSITIONS & MUSEA
MENA Climate Week – Expo, Saudi Projects and Climate Initiatives – Riyadh, KSA – Art Directing – 2023 – DTS / Filmmaster
ORVAL – 12th century Monastery – Monastic Museum – Belgium – Video Installations – Script and Art Directing – 2020 – SIEN
