Exhibitions, readings, record fairs and fashion. See you there!
Summer studio: Philip Janssens at The Moonens Foundation
Tuesday, 1 September, 18h30-22h00 Brussels
Platform 102, a Brussels-based project putting forward both emerging and established artists who focus on conceptual and research-based art, now invites you to discover the work of Philip Janssens, who participated in the project’s first summer residency. The programme is also supported by The Moonens Foundation, who provides the studio for the artist. This Tuesday you can have a look at what Janssens created during his 10 weeks of residency. As he often works in situ, he incorporated the studio into his creations. Well worth a visit!
Literature: Douglas Coupland at Bozar
Wednesday, 2 September, 20h00 Brussels
Photo by Monte Cristo Magazine
If you’re a book nerd there’s no way you haven’t at least read one of his books or at least heard of him: the iconic Canadian Douglas Coupland, who’s largely responsible for popularizing the term “Generation X” with his hit novel of the same name. His novels, short stories, screenplays and visual art pieces link high and low culture and frequently deal with technology’s impact on our lives, pop culture, alienation and loneliness. This Wednesday you can meet him in person when he comes to Bozar to be interviewed by journalist Anna Luyten about his literary work, his upcoming book, and much more!
Project launch: La Vallée opening
Thursday, 3 September, 17-21h00 Brussels
SMart, an entity dedicated to helping creatives to organize their careers, decided to take over an enormous former laundry near the Molenbeek canal to provide artists which much-needed room for exhibitions, rehearsals and workspaces. La Vallée, which opens its doors this week, hosts more than 60 artists and creatives, and on Thursday you can discover all their projects during an open studio day complete with music, a barbecue and performances. Amongst the residents are visual artists Clyde Knowland and Nathalie Steinmetz, animation studio Squarefish, fashion designer Céline Decerf or graphic designer Sébastien Gairaud.
Opening: Rinus Van De Velde aet Tim Van Laere
Thursday, 3 September, 18h00 Antwerp
Last year we interviewed Belgian charcoal virtuoso Rinus Van de Velde about his extremely captivating solo show in Berlin, and now he’s back on Belgian grounds at Antwerp’s Tim Van Laere Gallery with his solo show “Where clouds become sculptures and a dog talks philosophy”. As always Rinus’ large-scaled charcoal drawings tell the stories of his fake autobiography, drawing you in with a gripping, intriguing narrative and his expressive, signature drawing style. An absolute must-see.
Opening: Shimamoto at Axel Vervoordt
Thursday, 3 September, 18-21h00 Antwerp
Antwerp’s Axel Vervoordt Gallery presents a solo expo of Japanese artist Shozo Shimamoto, focusing on his early paintings from the 50s and 60s. He is a co-founder of Japanese avant-garde art movement Gutai, and mainly known for his experimental and daring painting practice, often integrating his own body movement into his abstract works, trying to make the invisible visible. Fascinating!
Opening: Marianna Rothen at Ingrid Deuss
Friday, 4 September, 19h00 Antwerp
New York-based, Canadian-born artist Marianna Rothen, a former model, continuously documented her modeling experiences with her camera. Her sensual, mysterious images concentrate on female characters, interiors, and a sort of nostalgic dystopia. Antwerp’s lovely photography gallery Ingrid Deuss now exhibits her series E.k.t.i.n, consisting of photographs based on the film “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” by Gregory Perano.
Music: Experimental record fair
Saturday, 5 September, 10h30 Jette
If you’re into sounds off the beaten track, then Editions Abscondita’s experimental record fair is definitely for you. There’ll not only be stands by a multitude of different independent labels and collectors, but also books, zines, lectures and performances, for instance by G*park, Astor and Marc Matter. Worth a trip to Jette!
Fashion: Blogger closet sale
Saturday, 5 September, 14-19h00 Antwerp
© Dogs and dresses
Listen up fashionistas and shopping aficionados: this Saturday eight major Belgian fashion bloggers team up to throw one big closet sale. You can get your hands on trendy second-hand pieces by Kim from brunetteblogging, Julie from bibleoffashion or Elien from dogsanddresses. Make sure to fill up your wallet because it’s cash only. And by the way, it’s all part of the Antwerp Fashion Festival whose whole programme you find right here.
Cover photo Murielle Victorine Scherre
