7 things to do in Belgium this week from outdoor art trails surrounded by nature to courtyard concerts and artworks on the beach. See you in Liége, Knokke, Brussels & Antwerp and whatever you do – stay safe, socialize responsibly and wear a mask!
Exhibition: .IMG – Des images qui se regardent at SEE U
Runs until 25 August Brussels
Ohme, a Brussels organisation dedicated to bringing together the seemingly opposed universes of art and science, teamed up with ULB and the Musée d’Ixelles to invite you to an exhibition that tries to establish a dialogue between artworks and scientific imagery. Highly interesting!
Gathering with a cause: Support Polish LGBT+ community at Robert Schuman roundabout
Wednesday, 19 August, 17h30-19h00 Brussels
If you’re following the news, chances are high you’ve come across the powerful photograph shot during the inauguration of Polish President Andrzej Duda: 10 MPs turned up wearing a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours in a powerful display of solidarity with the LGBT+ community. Duda has been promoting an openly anti-gay agenda, calling LGBT rights “an ideology more destructive than communism”. A group of concerned Brussels citizens of different origins want to show their solidarity as well and invite you to take a stand against dehumanisation, discrimination and hatred towards the LGBT+ community in Poland at the Schuman roundabout this Wednesday. Details here.
Exhibition: Dvir Summer Gallery
Runs until 10 September Knokke
More Brussels galleries than ever before have been venturing to Knokke this summer in what could be a reaction to the pandemic and its resulting difficult spring for the contemporary art scene. One of the Belgian coast first-timers is Israeli Dvir Gallery, presenting works by renowned artists such as Lawrence Weiner, Douglas Gordon, Adel Abdessemed and others as well as an outdoor installation at the beach of Sarah Ortmeyer‘s signature ice cream sculptures.
Music: Indigo Mango at Kumiko
Friday, 21 August Brussels
Live concerts have almost become a thing of the past this year. Brussels’ Kumiko tries to revive the concert scene a little (in line with current Covid rules of course) by hosting a small show in its courtyard. On stage: Indigo Mango, who offer a mixture of funk and pop.
Exhibition: Together at M HKA
Runs until 6 September Antwerp
While the Antwerp Pride Parade had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, M HKA partnered up with Antwerp Pride to organize “Together”, the first LGBTQIA+ exhibition in a Belgian museum in an attempt to shine a light on artists working on themes that strengthen the LGBTQIA+ community. Curated by artist Philip Huyghe, the invited artists include heavyweights Nan Goldin or Cindy Sherman as well as local artistic forces on the rise such as Marijke De Roover. Challenging, inclusive, diverse, and very timely.
Art meets nature: The Garden is Older Than The Field at Provinciedom
Saturday, 22 August Provinciedomein Bulskampveld
Artist Bert Villa
“The Garden Is Older Than The Field” offers a completely different (and very pandemic-safe) way to discover art, inviting the viewer to explore the green terrains of public landscape park Bulskampveld and the private estate of Wildenburg. The project by a group of students of Curatorial Studies KASK 2019-2020 brings together six curators and 13 artists with the picturesque landscape as a fantastic dropback for the display of artworks. While the outdoor art trail is accessible every day from sunrise to sunset, this Saturday you have the chance to meet some of the artists, witness live performances and participate in guided walks and bike tours. With works by Jonas Dehnen, Stan D’haene, Günbike Erdemir, Mark Grootes, Alexander Marinus, Hilde Onis, Martijn Petrus, Claire Stragier, Kris Vanhemelrijck, Bert Villa and others.
Cinema: MASH at Grignoux Open Air
Saturday, 22 August, 22h00-1h00 Liège
Celebrated director Robert Altman‘s MASH is hitting the screen of outdoor cinema Les Grignoux in Liege this weekend – the perfect summer activity under a starry sky. MASH, a black comedy war film from the 70s, won the prestigious Palme d’Or and has been praised as “perfect for the times, the cacophony of American culture brilliantly reproduced onscreen.” By the way, it’s all for free!
Music: Crevette Records at Albert Summer Rooftop
Saturday, 22 August Brussels
A creative response to the ongoing forced shutdown of night clubs, music venues and the likes, brand new Albert rooftop, a collab between Brussels nightlife institutions Catclub and Playlabel Records, is one of our favorite spots in the capital this summer. This Saturday, there’ll be music curated by local independent record shop Crevette Records, all day long. With Walrus, Alfred Anders, Jakob, and Tele Talks.