This week in Belgium: Dreamlands in Ghent, christmas shopping in Antwerp, a book launch in Brussels, and more. See you there!
Last week: Ana Torfs at Wiels
Closes on Sunday, 14 December Brussels
If you haven’t seen “Echolalia” yet, a great solo show presenting works by renowned Belgian artist Ana Torfs, you should do so before it closes for good this Sunday. The exhibition offers an extensive look into her fascinating oeuvre, going back all the way to the early 90s. A major theme is the tension between language and image, exploring the relationship between visualization, interpretation and translation and questioning perception through remains of cultural and political history: an archaeology of knowledge of sorts.
Opening: Dreamlands at KERK
Thursday, 11 December, 20h00 Ghent
“Dreamlands” brings together the artistic practices of Ghent-based illustrator and visual artist Stien Bekaert and photographer Zaza Bertrand. Bertrand’s captivating, almost surreal images take you into the gated communities of Cairo’s upper class, into an artificial environment away from the traditional, popular areas of the city center: a bubble for the privileged hidden behind walls, cameras and security personnel. Bekaert reinterprets her works by searching for a secret language in the images, mainly focusing on the hand gestures of the portrayed girls.
Opening: Ateliers J&J & Tat Blondé at FÖR
Friday, 12 December Brussels
Brussels concept store FÖR continues its exhibition series with a duo show uniting works by designers and furniture-makers Ateliers J&J and Antwerp-based illustrator Tat Blondé. The opening is taking place this Friday, a nice occasion to check out the exhibition, grab a beer and buy some Christmas presents (we especially love the fluffy La Paz wool sweaters and the hand-made Blackbird soaps from Oregon).
Opening: Andrew Birk, Aline Bouvy and Absalon Kirkeby at Christopher Crescent
Friday, 12 December, 18h30-20h30 Brussels
Andrew Birk
At Brussels gallery Christopher Crescent’s upcoming exhibition you can discover the works of three artists all at once. For example there’s painter Andrew Birk, born in Portland and living in Mexico City, who recently told Rogue Critz: “Abstract Expressionism has always been my shit. I really relate to the physicality of the work and maybe the looseness of it.” He is joined by Brussels artist Aline Bouvy who deals with “anal retention as the main disfunction of today’s society”, as her gallery Albert Baronian puts it. And then there’s Absalon Kirkeby, a Danish artist working on the borders of photography. A fresh and slightly provocative threesome that definitely makes for an interesting mix!
Shopping: Stock Sale at FoMu
From 12 to 21 December Antwerp
Just in time for the Christmas shopping frenzy Antwerp’s photography museum FoMu invites you to a big stock sale offering gorgeous exhibition catalogues, artsy magazines and beautiful photo books and posters at small prices. And if you’re dropping by anyway, don’t forget to check out the fantastic exhibitions by rising stars Vincent Delbrouck and Nick Hannes.
Opening: Justine Guerriat at Galerie Le Soir
Friday, 12 December Charleroi
Charleroi’s photography museum and Belgian daily Le Soir have teamed up to bring you “Galerie Le Soir”, a platform dedicated to showcasing young and upcoming artists from Belgium. Next up is photographer Justine Guerriat (24), Master student at La Cambre. The perfect opportunity to discover new Belgian photography talents.
Book launch: Retrospective at Etablissement D’en Face
Saturday, 13 December Brussels
Alberto Garcia Del Castillo, curator at Brussels art space Komplot and founder of art project Buenos Tiempos, Int., just published his very first book, “Retrospective”, which he describes as a “comedy-science-fiction novelette”. Based on his own experiences Alberto invites you into his personal art world universe, and this Saturday you can meet the artist himself at Etablissement D’en Face where he will read from his book together with curator Margot Vanheusden.
Concert: The Dø at Botanique
Sunday, 14 December, 19h30 Brussels
Franco-Finnish folk pop duo The Dø met about 10 years ago while recording music for a movie, French thriller “L’Empire des Loups”. Dan Levy and Olivia Bouyssou have made a name for themselves with a multifaceted sound incorporating everything from avant-garde noise and hip-hop to classical music. No wonder that they count Bela Bartok, Jimi Hendrix as well as Bjork among their influences. Now they just released their third album, “Shake Shook Shaken”, taking a more futuristic and electronic turn. You can experience them live at Botanique this Sunday.
Cover photo Ulrike Biets
