Things to do in Belgium this week: art in Ghent, music in Brussels, more art in Ghent and Bruges, and more. See you there!
Opening: Music Palace at Villa Empain
Wednesday, 25 September Brussels
“Music is the supreme mystery of the human sciences, the one against which they stumble, and which holds the key to their progress”, said French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss in his book The Raw and the Cooked in 1964. In this fascinating group exhibition at Villa Empain, a gorgeous building on the majestic Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, visual artists from all corners of the world explore this inexplicable power of music, each in their very own way. Palestinian Taysir Batniji, Natalie Czech from Germany, Belgian-born Pauline Beugnies, US artist Dan Graham and many others examine the manifold, long-existing relationship between music, culture and artistic creation. An absolute must-see.
Last days to see: Shana Moulton at La Loge
Until 27 September Brussels
Brooklyn-based American artist Shana Moulton, known for her playful, troubling and surreal performances, videos and multidimensional installations, is currently on show at Brussels’ La Loge. Her psychedelic, low-tech works center around the fictional character Cynthia, a young woman on the search for meaning, plagued by contemporary anxieties. This expo features six of her intriguing video works, screened in a loop every day from Thursday to Saturday.
Fashion: Brussels Japan Night at Urban Outfitters
Thursday, 25 September Brussels
On the occasion of the Louise area’s Japan-themed late night shopping event, Brussels’ Urban Outfitters invites you to a special evening featuring free drinks, film projections and a 20% shopping discount! Fashion and party all in one, not only for shopping addicts.
Art festival: NOW. YOU ARE HERE
From 25 to 27 September Ghent
With NOW. YOU ARE HERE eight Ghent off-spaces are teaming up for a three-day art happening throughout the city with a rather alternative approach championing young and emerging artists and. On offer is a mix of exhibitions, lectures and performances showcasing Ghent’s artistic potential whilst at the same time highlighting the problems and uncertainties many of these independent art spaces are facing: For both In de Frigo and Zwart Wild these will be the events in their current locations. Check out the full programme here.
Album release party: Recorders at Hunting & Collecting
Friday, 26 September, 19h00 Brussels
After years of sound-searching, changing labels and a meticulous production that brought the perfectionist Belgian indie rockers all the way to Los Angeles, it’s finally ready for release: Recorders’ debut album “Above The Tide”, mixed by no other than Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, The Fratellis) which already scored a raving review in this week’s Le Soir. Come celebrate with the band this Friday at Brussels’ number one concept store Hunting & Collecting. There’ll be drinks, a food truck and of course a special electro-acoustic gig by the rising five-piece.
Art meets music: Bozar Electronic Arts Festival
From 25 to 27 September Brussels
This Thursday Bozar kicks off the third edition of its fantastic Electronic Arts Festival, bringing together everything from music and installations to performances, workshops and conferences whilst emphasizing technological advancements and their influence on artistic creation. Three days of multi-disciplinary electronic arts featuring Mondkopf, Fuck Buttons, Nils Frahm, Luc Deleu, Quayola and many others.
Opening: Jeroen Boussier at Oude Kerk
Saturday, 27 September Ghent
This weekend might be the first time we’ll actually make it to the little Belgian town of Vichte: the mesmerizing images of Belgian-born, Ghent-based photographer Jeroen Boussier are well worth the trip. You can find out how to get there here. The solo exhibition “winter-fall-summer-spring” showcases a series of landscape photographs which are powerful, calm and beautiful all at the same time but also evoke a certain sense of darkness. One to watch!
Last days to see: Annelies De Mey & Dieter De Lathauwer at 44 Gallery
Until 28 September Bruges
Dieter De Lathauwer
More photography: Bruges’ 44 Gallery currently presents the captivating works of two Belgian photographers: Antwerp’s Annelies De Mey and Ghent’s Dieter De Lathauwer, winner of the Bozar Photography Award 2012. “Appearances” unites their practices to one fascinating show, juxtaposing De Lathauwer’s landscape explorations on the border between Switzerland and Italy with De Mey’s mysterious and slightly dark photographs of everyday locations.
Exhibition: El Dorado at Island
Until 4 October Brussels
“El Dorado” currently on show at Brussels’ Island lets you discover a selection of new works by Swiss-born artist Jill Mulleady. Based between Los Angeles and Buenos Aires she explores the question of the traces we are leaving behind in relation to the notion of an uncertain tomorrow. Drawing on repetitions, reflections and holograms and using materials ranging from LED panels to fishing nets and stones, Mulleady deals with our relationship to objects, their disposability and what it all means for our future.
Cover photo Grégoire Pleynet
