Art in Bruges, cinema in Brussels, photography in Antwerp, and more. See you there!
Exhibition: Polar Inertia at Abilene Gallery
Closes on Saturday, 15 March Brussels
Since September 2011 five (former) art students host exhibitions, performances and concerts in their St Gilles townhouse under the name of Abilene Gallery, providing a great playground for young and upcoming artists. The current exhibition “Can we see well enough to move on?” showcases the works of Polar Inertia, an art collective which originally started out as an electronic music act in 2010 and now brings together artists of all disciplines from musicians and photographers to writers and video artists. The multidisciplinary expo includes ten different pieces specifically made for the show.
Cinema: Offscreen Festival 2014
From 5 to 23 March Brussels
If you are into alternative cinema and out-of-the-ordinary productions, make sure to check out this year’s Offscreen Festival kicking off this Wednesday. Providing a terrain for cult classics, independent and unreleased films as well as offbeat genres Offscreen is a must for all film buffs. Movies will be shown in different venues throughout Brussels from Cinema Nova to Bozar. One of the highlights: “Her”, Spike Jonze’s newest film which just won an Oscar for best original screenplay. Check out the complete programme here.
Photography: The Foreseen project at Zsenne Gallery
From 7 to 8 March Brussels
The newly founded Foreseen project, an initiative aiming at introducing fresh, young talents into the art world by giving them access to a specific exhibition space for a limited time period, presents its very first show this week. Foreseen’s first edition features the works of young photography talent Tanguy Poujol which you can check out on Friday and Saturday at Brussels’s Zsenne Gallery.
Group exhibition: Leap into the Void at Axel Vervoordt Gallery
Closes on Sunday, 9 March Antwerp
The exhibition at Antwerp’s Axel Vervoordt Gallery “Leap into the Void” unites some of the biggest names of contemporary art, showcasing works by international stars such as Anish Kapoor and Yves Klein. The expo is centered around the theme of the Void, a concept which embraces emptiness and nothingness and searches for the essence of art. Also on show: Rei Naito, Kichizaemon Raku, Shozo Shimamoto, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Jef Verheyen and Lucio Fontana.
Concert: Deerhoof at VK
Saturday, 8 March, 21h00 Brussels
San Francisco four-piece Deerhoof is undoubtedly difficult to pigeonhole. The band’s inventive and playful sounds oscillate somewhere between art punk and noise pop, described by the Rolling Stone as “the perfect blend of pop and experimentalism”. For almost 20 years now Deerhoof have hypnotized audiences with their innovative soundscapes illuminated by Japanese-born singer Satomi Matsuzaki’s ethereal voice. This Saturday they play at Brussels’ VK.
Photography: Dirk Braeckman at Zeno X Gallery
Closes on 12 April Antwerp
With twentyseven.one.seven Antwerp’s Zeno X Gallery presents a completely new body of work by one of Belgium’s most prominent photographers: Dirk Braeckman. The Ghent-based artist is mainly known for his intriguing, suggestive creations shimmering in all shades of grey. Questioning the medium of photography as a whole, he manipulates his images in the darkroom with light, darkness and layered textures, making them absolutely unique and impossible to reproduce.
Group exhibition: Bande à part
Closes on Saturday, 15 March Brussels
Brussels’ Albert Baronian gallery celebrates its 40th birthday with a fascinating group show at the CAB Art Center. Instead of looking back, Bande à part uses the occasion to showcase the new generation and focuses on the future. The exhibition with an emphasis on large-scale works and video art gives the visitor an exciting glimpse of what Belgium’s contemporary art scene has to offer. Featuring artists such as Fiona Mackay, Xavier Mary, Benoit Platéus, Robert Devriendt and many others.
Night out: Hi Cool Kid Gang at L’Escalier
Friday, 7 March, 22h00 Liège
Liège’s Hi Cool Kid Gang has been throwing indie rock parties for a year now. This Friday sees the 1st birthday of the project which will of course be celebrated in style with another indie bash at L’Escalier. Behind the decks you’ll find members from various Belgian bands including Leaf House, Kennedy’s Bridge and many more.
Concert: Hjaltalín at Botanique
Sunday, 9 March, 19h30 Brussels
Icelandic band Hjaltalín, who have already quite a following in their homeland and scored album of the year at the 2010 Icelandic music awards, are starting to make a name for themselves beyond Iceland’s borders. The Sunday Times even labeled their third LP Enter 4 “a masterpiece”. This Sunday you can experience the Icelandic indie pop sensation live at Botanique.
Opening: Chrystel Mukeba and Pierre Debroux at 44 Gallery
Sunday, 9 March, 16h00 Bruges
On Sunday Bruges’ 44 Gallery invites you to the opening of “Confrontation”, a photography exhibition juxtaposing the works of Chrystel Mukeba and Pierre Debroux. While Mukeba’s images poetically portray her grandmother in the house she lives in, Debroux presents works reflecting on the younger generation.
So, see you there!
Cover picture Grégoire Pleynet
