Music and painting in Brussels, photography in Antwerp, art in Hornu, and more. See you there!
Concert: The Brian Jonestown Massacre at Botanique
Tuesday, 24 June, 20h00 Brussels
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, American psych rock band with cult status, hits Brussels this Tuesday at Botanique. Founded in San Francisco back in 1988, several dozen band members have passed through their ranks, with frontman Anton Newcombe being the steady focal point. The group is known for skillfully blending various genres from rock, folk and shoegazing to electronica and blues. This May the legendary outfit released their most recent record, “Revelation”, which NME describes as “a mixtape showcasing the broad spectrum of styles the band has absorbed over two decades and 14 albums.”
Opening: Sophie Kuijken at Nathalie Obadia
Thursday, 26 June Brussels
Although a painter for more than two decades, the work of Belgian artist Sophie Kuijken has only recently come into the public eye. After two decades of seclusion, her spellbinding paintings were shown for the very first time by the Dhondt-Dhaenens Museum in 2011. Now you can discover the Bruges-born artist’s realistic portraits with her unworldly and mysterious signature touch at Brussels’ Nathalie Obadia Gallery. Not to miss.
Art meets fashion: Sarah Capesius seen by Nadia Guerroui at För
Thursday, 26 June, 18h00-21h00 Brussels
Lovely little concept store För located in Brussels’ Chatelain area has not only been making a name for itself with its carefully selected products, but also with its refreshing exhibition programme. This Thursday sees the opening of an expo curated by Nadia Guerroui showcasing the works of Luxemburg photographer Sarah Capesius. Her images focus on her surroundings and the everyday, revealing a knack for geometric compositions with a sensual touch.
Opening: Lionel Estève at Albert Baronian
Thursday, 26 June Brussels
Starting this week, French-born Lionel Estève, based in Brussels for already 25 years now, exhibits his work at the capital’s Albert Baronian Gallery. Although originally a sculptor, he works a lot with paint, and his creations cross the boundaries betweem drawings, sculptures and installations. In this expo titled “Impudique”, the artist explores different forms of sensuality and deals with the notion of the hidden. “I see my artworks as something mental. I hope they come alive in the same way in the minds of the public. I don’t expect people to understand, but I want my work to lighten their spirits”, Lionel explains.
Talent watch: Young Belgian Design Award at Bozar
Thursday, 26 June, 18h00 Brussels
Quentin de Coster
MAD Surprize! is an exhibition dedicated to young and upcoming Belgian or Belgium-based designers. At the opening this Thursday, the winners of the Young Belgian Design Award will be revealed. For each category (graphic design and furniture design) 10 contemporary and innovative projects have been selected which will all be on show at Bozar. Featuring Jean-Baptiste Goetgheluck, Thomas Billas, Studio Fluit, Marie Lecrivain and many others.
Opening: Des Chevals at Bodson Gallery
Thursday, 26 June, 18h00 Brussels
Julien Meert
The fascinating group show “Des Chevals” at Brussels’ Bodson Gallery brings together seven different painters, all from Belgium and all from the same generation. The selected pieces also incorporate elements of collage, photography and drawing and focus on black-and-white and bichromatic creations. Including artworks by Dimitri Carez, Frédéric Dumoulin, Dieter Durinck, Pierre Konder, Julien Meert, Tim Onderbeke and Laurent Veldekens. The show is curated by Anne-Catherine Lacroix et Sébastien Bonin, whose own works you can currently check out at “The Belgian Six”.
Photography: 4 openings at FoMu
Friday, 27 June Antwerp
After having been closed for renovations for a while, Antwerp’s photography institution FoMu opens its doors again this Friday with no less than four exhibitions on the menu. “Shooting Range” looks back on the Great War, the first major conflict in history to be recorded on celluloid and film. In addition you can discover the works of Richard Mosse who documents armed African rebel groups, Walker Evans’ magazine work, and Mikhael Subotzky & Patrick Waterhouse’s project around , the monumental Ponte City, an apartment block that dominates the Johannesburg skyline.
Outdoor concert: Oh My Garden #19
Saturday, 28 June, 18h00-22h00 Brussels
It’s time again this weekend for some magical outdoor concerts brought to you by Oh My Garden. The 19th edition will take place in a lovely, intimateand hopsfully sunny setting near Brussels’ Place Flagey, bringing you a Belgian-only line-up including Cargo Culte from Brussels, Universe from Ghent, and Antwerp’s Goran M. Husky. Due to the limited capacity it’s advised to come early!
Exhibition: Sofie Lachaert & Luc D’Hanis at Grand Hornu
Runs until 17 August Hornu
The Grand Hornu museum, located in a UNESCO-protected former industrial mining complex not far from Mons, currently showcases the works of designer duo Sofie Lachaert and Luc d’Hanis who have been working together for almost two decades. Their jewellery, objects, site-specific installations and furniture pieces blur the boundaries between craft, design and visual art.
Public art: Rinus Van de Velde at De Unie Hasselt-Genk
Opened on 21 June Hasselt
De Unie Hasselt-Genk is a project promoting art in public spaces initiated by Z33, Hasselt’s center for contemporary art. Since last weekend you can marvel at a monumental charcoal drawing created by rising Belgian art star Rinus Van De Velde. The piece is inspired by historic Hasselt café Cambrinus and references the group portraits of the old masters from the 16th and 17th century. Rinus Van de Velde depicts a fictional community of artists, which includes personal friends and acquaintances, as well as some of the patrons of the Cambrinus.