A home gallery and an arty party in Brussels, exhibitions in Antwerp and Ghent, and more. See you there!
Apartment meets gallery: Peggy Franck & Freek Wambacq at Middlemarch
Closes on 17 May Brussels
The concept of organizing exhibitions in private apartments is growing more and more popular these days, also in Belgium. Brussels’ Middlemarch, named after the imaginary village in George Eliot’s novel, is one successful example of this current trend. The initiative was launched in October 2011 by Virginie Devillez, former curator at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, and artist Jean-Baptiste Bernadet. For the moment they invite you to Virginie’s living and dining room for a duo exhibition uniting works of Dutch artist Peggy Franck and Belgian artist Freek Wambacq.
Art meets party: Bozar Night
Wednesday, 30 April, 20h00 Brussels
Bozar Night has established itself as one of Brussels’ major musical and cultural events of the year, bringing together an exciting, multidisciplinary mix of concerts, DJ sets, exhibitions, and installations. Hosted in the city’s Centre for Fine Arts, a ticket to the night not only gives you the chance to dance the night away to electronic tunes by the likes of Actress or Sewn Leather, but also grants you entry to Bozar’s current exhibitions until 1am. If you haven’t done so yet it’s the perfect opportunity to check out the mesmerizing paintings of Belgian artist Michaël Borremans as well as the fascinating group expo No Country For Young Men curated by Art Brussels’ artistic director Katerina Gregos.
Opening: La morte addosso at LLS 387
Friday, 2 May Antwerp
LLS 387, one of the non-profit art space selected to participate at this year’s Art Brussels, presents a selection of works by Italian-born artist Alessandro Filippini. The exhibition focuses on the first period in his artistic career (1966-1980) as well as the so-called Schède collective, which he founded together with two other Italian-born and Brussels-based artists.
Art festival: Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Opens Friday, 2 May Brussels
Each May the Kunstenfestivaldesarts takes over the city for a period of three weeks, offering an eclectic programme bringing together Belgian and international artists from different disciplines. The urban art festival has its base at the Marivaux Cinema and hosts events in about twenty theatres and art centers all over Brussels ranging from dance and performance to visual arts and theatre. This year’s honorary guest: Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang. See here for the full programme.
Night out: Audiorama and Opus at Pop-Up Art Club
Friday, 2 May, 22h00 Brussels
Two Brussels party concepts join forces this weekend when Audiorama and Opus team up for a massive night at the newly launched Pop-Up Art Club. Wihle Audiorama takes care of the musical line-up featuring Canada’s Konrad Black, Belgian DJ Raph and others, Opus is responsible for curating artistic performances, installations and visual arts. On the menu: Moritz Simon Geist and Voin De Voin. A night out which is a treat for both eyes and ears. Hangover guaranteed!
Opening party: Het Bos
Friday, 2 May, 19h00 Antwerp
This Friday brand new cultural center Het Bos opens its doors in Antwerp with a huge party and, no kidding, a female wrestling fight. The city’s new hotspot unites a café, an exhibition hall and a concert venue under its roof and even offers residency spaces for artists. Behind the decks: Ostend’s excellent DJ Nosedrip, Slumberland, Starchild and many others.
Opening: Paul Elliman at Objectif Exhibitions
Saturday, 3 May, 18h00-20h00 Antwerp
“Body Alive with Signals” at Antwerp’s Objectif Exhibitions is a solo expo showcasing a selection of works by UK artist Paul Elliman. The exhibition not only takes over the usual premises but spreads out onto the courtyard and into the basement. Elliman is especially known for his explorations of the relationship between typography, language and the human voice.
Berlin meets Antwerp: Liebeskind Pop up Store at Monar
Saturday, 3 May, 15h00-22h00 Antwerp
A must for all fashionistas: Berlin cult label Liebeskind takes over Antwerp clothing shop Monar where it will set up a temporary Pop-up Store. The German brand has especially made a name for itself with its very cool leather bags which you can get your hands on this Saturday. A nice mix of food, drinks, music and fashion.
Exhibition: Anneke Eussen and Daan Gielis at Galerie Tatjana Pieters
Closes on 4 May Ghent
Ghent’s Tatjana Pieters Gallery currently presents a solo show by Dutch-born Anneke Eussen, an artist who explores the different stages of existence through examining the relationship between human beings and the material environment. Also on show are the installations and sculptures by Belgian artist Daan Gielis as part of the gallery’s so-called Interpunction programme.
Food: Sweet Taste of Japan at Tagawa
Saturday, 3 May, 10h00-17h00 Brussels
Brussels’ Japanese food store Tagawa (which by the way offers some of the best takeaway sushi in town) celebrates Japanese Children’s Day with a special event for parents and their little ones. This Saturday you can pass by the shop for Japanese candy tasting and try out samples of melon gummies, lucky sticks, caramel corn and many other exotic snacks. Tummy aches guaranteed!
