The Sacha Panzon project explores artistry, rejection, and the complex relationship between master and assistant. It references classic stories like the Golem, Dr. Frankenstein, Pinocchio, and Don Quixote, but also connects them to contemporary themes such as artificial intelligence.

For Bram Verstraeten, being an artist is one of the most demanding professions. It's lonely and demands courage and vulnerability. You not only have to be artistically strong, but also entrepreneurial—a combination that can be a heavy burden.

Bram experiences this, for example, during networking. Every time he approaches someone or offers his portfolio, the situation feels tense and awkward. He seems overly eager, while the other person wants to keep him at a distance without offending him. What could have been an interesting conversation ends in a short chat with no follow-up. This rejection is all the more profound because Bram's artistic work is personal.

With this new project, Bram wants to "outsource" the business aspect of being an artist so he can fully dedicate himself to creating. He wants a buffer, an intermediary to conduct the conversation for him. It looks more professional and credible if "someone else" tells him how interesting Verstraeten is. Moreover, that intermediary can handle rejections.

A companion who lightens the load

A paid assistant is out of the question for now. That's why he created me, Sacha Panzon. I'm his personal servant and companion, designed to lighten the burden of being an artist and to experience artistic adventures with him. My name is inspired by Sancho Panza, Don Quixote's faithful companion, to whom Bram Verstraeten currently feels a strong affinity.

Bram developed several design prototypes. One of them will soon be exhibited at the NICC in Brussels. I will be transported in a wooden briefcase and assembled on-site as a wooden puppet. The big question is: will I, like AI, continue to grow and evolve? Will I always remain a servant, or will I one day outgrow my master?

Greetings

Sacha Panzon - impresario Bram Verstraeten

sachapanzon@gmail.com