8 things to do this week within the Belgian borders from film screenings and birthday bashes to exhibitions and markets. See you there!
Film screening: Chantal Akerman’s D’Est at Kanal/Pompidou
Wednesday, 19 September Brussels
© Fondation Chantal Akerman
Kanal/Pompidou screens one of Belgian artist and filmmaker Chantal Akerman‘s masterpieces this Wednesday. “D’Est” (“From the East”) deals with the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin wall, capturing the reality and transformation of the former Soviet states. An impressionistic poemr through a fateful era taking the viewer to East Germany, Moscow, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine.
Art festival: Plan-B at Gouvernement
From 20 to 23 September Ghent
Plan-B, an ambitious art initiative staging an annual art festival in the unlikely location of the Flemish village of Bekegem, is taking over Ghent’s Gouvernement this week. The same artists that just showed their work in this rural context now take their practices to the city, exploring the question how such an extreme change of environment might affect their practices. There’s not only an exhibition but also concerts and performances on Sunday. Details here.
Birthday: The Word turns 10 at C12
Thursday, 20 September Brussels
Time flies! Belgian culture mag The Word turns 10 this week, and on the occasion it’s inviting its readers to a (free!) big anniversary bash this Thursday featuring DJ sets, concerts, a retrospective exhibition, and more. It’s been an eventful decade including countless print editions, changing formats, an adventure to the international publishing scene, parties in Brussels, Antwerp and even Berlin, book launches, exhibitions, an artist residency, and most recently, a radio station. Happy Birthday!
Architecture & city life: Brussels Urban Landscape Biennial at Bozar
Opens Thursday, 20 September Brussels
For two months, the Brussels Urban Landscape Biennial hosts workshops, an exhibition, a symposium, curated walks and lectures on a pressing and highly relevant topic: the increasingly worrying issue of flooding in urban areas caused by climate change. Check out the full program here.
Opening: Daniel Garcia Andújar at KIOSK
Friday, 21 September Ghent
Daniel Garcia Andújar at National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens © Mathias Voelz
With “Plus Ultra”, Ghent’s Kiosk gallery brings Daniel Garcia Andújar to Belgium, a prominent figure of the Spanish internet art scene. Since the late 80s he has been starting up internet projects, he is a founding member of the ‘irational.org‘ web collective, and developed ‘Technologies To The People® (TTTP)’, a non-profit organization that provides people who lack the means with access to new technologies. Prior to the opening, everyone’s invited for a parade through Ghent with a life-sized Charles V on horseback, as depicted in the 16th-century painting by Titian. Andújar has participated in major art events such as Manifesta 4, the Venice Biennale and documenta 14.
Talent watch: Jonge Kunstenaars 2018 at Sint-Lukasgalerie
From 14 September to 13 October Brussels
This exhibition brings together a selection of recent alumni from Belgian art schools Sint-Lucas Gent, Sint-Lukas Brussel, Narafi Vorst, and C-mine Genk. It’s curated by art teacher Dany Deprez, who sifted through all graduation shows in June to find the in his view most compelling artists. With works by Eva Beazar, Pieter Chanterie, Dilum Coppens, Yoel Pytowski, Ruth Devriendt, Dido Woelders, Pim Notebaert, and Lotte Moortgat.
Plants meet coffee: Gruun opening party
Saturday, 22 September, 18-22h00 Brussels
We think it’s a winning combo: plants and coffee. Newly launched in Brussels, Gruun (green in Brussels dialect) skillfully marries both worlds, offering not only a green jungle but also deliciously brewed coffee. A cozy spot to enjoy the surroundings of a green oasis, get advice about gardening, and more. You’re invited to the opening party this Saturday!
Creators market: Le Grand Marché at Marché aux poissons
Saturday, 22 September Brussels
“Fais-le toi-même” (make it yourself in English) is an initiative dedicated to sustainable living and recycling. It regular hosts workshops teaching manual and creative skills, takes on waste that might be able to be reused, and can even be hired to create scenographies and objects. This Saturday the multifaceted project hosts its first “Grand Marché”, a market focusing on hand-made and durable products. There’ll also be a plantswap organized by Seeds, food, music, and activities for kids.
