An art prize in Brussels, a massive music festival in the Belgian countryside, a concert in Liège, and exhibitions in Antwerp and Ghent. See you there!
Opening & awards I: Young Belgian Art Prize at Bozar
Tuesday, 23 June, 19h00 Brussels
© Courtesy of Hannelore Van Dijck
Talent watch: An international jury has selected 10 outstanding emerging artists under 35 from different genres for the Young Belgian Art Prize, a prestigious award that already exists since the 50s. Starting this week you can discover the works of the young up-and-comers at Bozar, a great way to get a glimpse of tomorrow’s greats. Nominees include photography duo Max Pinckers & Michiel Burger and charcoal virtuoso Hannelore Van Dijck. Not to miss!
Music festival: Rock Werchter 2015
From 25 to 28 June Werchter
Album cover
As Belgium’s biggest music festival Rock Werchter doesn’t really need an introduction. Accordingly, the line-up is a rather mainstream one, but the atmosphere is always fantastic and it’s still a great option to see the big legends live on stage, such as Muse on the Sunday or Patti Smith on the Thursday, who will perform her influential album “Horses” in its entirety. Other highlights: Hot Chip, indie rock veterans Death Cab for Cutie, Caribou, alt-J, The War on Drugs, and many more.
Opening: Foreseen group show at La Dent Creuse
Friday, 26 June, 17-22h00 Brussels
Brussels exhibition project Foreseen and brand new residency programme La Dent Creuse team up for a fascinating group expo in a gorgeous townhouse under the title 72’36” –ish, solely focusing on all kinds of different video art. On show are fresh, young, emerging artists from Belgium to South Africa, staying true to Foreseen’s concept aiming at putting forward those who aren’t part of the classic gallery system (yet).
Opening & awards II: MAD Design Prize at Dexia Art Center
Friday, 26 June, 18h00 Brussels
© Courtesy of Vormen
Belgium is not only on the lookout for visual artists on the rise, but also for talented designers. For the second time Brussels’ MAD awards prizes in three different categories: Furniture design, textile design, and graphic design. From Friday on you can have a look at a selection of Belgian talents at the former Dexia Art Centre, including Halo Publications, Pauline Capdo, Lucie Libotte, and many others. Entrance is free.
Opening: My Flat Land at FoMu
Friday, 26 June, 20h00 Antwerp
Asako Narahashi
Antwerp’s photography museum FoMu is always worth a visit, and especially so this Friday when “My Flat Land” opens its doors, a captivating exhibition taking you on an exciting visual journey through the wilderness. Featuring works stemming from 1856 to today as well as a total of 50 Belgian and international artists, the group show presents different takes on landscape photography, offering a poetic, magnetizing mix. With works by photography stars such as Ansel Adams or Thomas Ruff and Belgian key figures from Dirk Braeckman to Francis Alys.
Exhibition: Nu Nog at Croxhapox
From 24th to 26th June Ghent
More talent-spotting: Ghent’s experimental art center Croxhapox brings together four young Belgian artists, all KASK students, under the title “Nu Nog”: Eva Giolo, Jesse Biesmans, Quinten De Wilde and Tom Van Den Wijngaert. The exhibition crosses all genres, including everything from video works and sound installations to sculptures.
Concert: Recorders at Live Club Liège
Saturday, 27 June, 20h00 Liège
After a little trip into the acoustic universe in the context of Les Nuits Botanique, Belgian indie rockers Recorders leave their homebase Brussels to take over Liege’s Live Club this Saturday with their melodic signature mix of post-pop, indie, rock and electro, blending minimalistic guitars with wide synths. Grab the chance to see the rising five-piece live on stage and already get a glimpse of their second album!
Mini festival: Kross Walk 2015
Saturday, 27 June, 13-23h00 Lasnes
If huge music gatherings like Rock Werchter are not really your thing, Lasne’ Kross Walk festival is the perfect alternative. This 4th edition invites you to hang out in a lovely, small-scale setting offering cheap beer, volleyball, badminton and of course concerts, featuring for instance young Belgian talents Ulysse and The Sunday Charmers.
Outdoor party: Holger & Open the Box at Rue de l’Entrepôt
Saturday, 27 June, 20h00 Brussels
Summer is in full swing, and with it came along a number of outdoor party concepts. One you should not miss is taking place this Saturday at an abandoned building in Rue de L’Entrepôt, born out of a collaboration of Holger and Open the Box, which both bring you some of the best parties in town all year long. Besides a 12 hour dance marathon powered by Galcher Lustwerk, Berlin’s Plo Man, Raphal Top Secret and others, there’s also a barbecue on the menue.
Shopping: Swan Market goes Antwerp
Sunday, 28 June, 11-18h00 Antwerp
© Courtesy of Swan Market
Rotterdam goes Antwerp: the popular Dutch lifestyle market makes a pit stop on Antwerp’s Grote Markt this Sunday, bringing you a lovely mix of hand-made jewellery, authentic food, vintage items, fashion and even concerts. The perfect place to bring the weekend to an end.
Cover photo Sasha Vernaeve
