Things to do in Leuven, Brussels & Antwerp, from interactive performances and the comeback of a Belgian hip-hop artist to photography group shows. See you there!
Group show: Solace at Argos Art Centre
Runs until 27 April Brussels
Grief, uncertainty, oppression – today’s world can feel daunting. “Solace” explores the ways we can find comfort in chaos. The group exhibition brings together artists from the Argos collection and beyond, mapping personal and collective acts of resilience. From sacred rituals to childhood memories, from faith to the natural world, the show traces the quiet yet radical power of seeking refuge. Through video, photography, and installation, “Solace” moves between the intimate and the universal, from Santería ceremonies in Cuba to the ruins of a Palestinian home. In the face of turmoil, the exhibition reminds us: Solace is never just retreat – it’s resistance. With works by Lázara Rosell Albear, Alice Brygo, Jayce Salloum, and many others.
Local sounds: Woodie Smalls at AB
Saturday, 1 March, 19h00 Brussels
After a bit of a hiatus, Belgian rapper Sylvestre Salumu aka Woodie Smalls makes his long-awaited return. Hailing from the Belgian town of Sint-Niklaas, he first gained recognition with his 2015 album “Soft Parade” which landed him a performance at reputed US festival South by Southwest. His single “Planet Shrooms” went viral, and the track “Tokyo Drift” ended up on the NBA 2K18 soundtrack. Known for his energetic flow and effortless style, Smalls is stepping back into the scene at AB with new music and fresh energy.
Photography: How Wondrous the Other Through the Artist’s Glance at Gallery Fifty One
Runs until 10 May Antwerp
Charlie De Keersmaecker
What happens in the space between subject and observer? “How Wondrous the Other Through the Artist’s Glance” brings together a striking selection of works from photography greats – including William Klein, Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert, Walker Evans, and many more – each capturing the quiet, electric exchange between artist and subject. The exhibition unfolds as a meditation on the act of seeing: How does a photographer’s gaze transform a fleeting moment into something timeless? How do framing, focus, and light shape our perception of identity and presence? From bold, provocative portraits to quiet, introspective studies, every image asks us to pause – to look closer, to consider the dialogue between photographer and subject, and ultimately, to see ourselves in the act of looking.
Performance: The River and The Devil at Beursschouwburg
From 27 to 28 February, 20H30 Brussels
Paula Almiron, Buenos Aires-born Brussels-based, works at the intersection of choreography and writing, exploring the relationship between the social, the spiritual and the geological realms. Through dance, fiction, collective storytelling, and sound, she investigates the loaded history of the river Desaguadero, once demonized as ‘the Devil’ by colonial settlers. Since then, the river has dried out, turning from water to salt after centuries of continuous extraction. Don’t be shy: Audience members are invited to participate in this interactive performance of “The River and The Devil” at Beursschouwburg.
Solo exhibition: A History of Touch at M Leuven
Runs until 16 November Leuven
German artist Grace Schwindt who lives and works in London and Sicily explores the fragility of the human body and the impact of the capitalist system on our bodies, minds and collective memory. This poetic and thought-provoking exhibition at M Leuven not only presents her recent works, but also a selection of pieces created in dialogue with the museum’s collection, linking fragmented images, fractures and scars of historical works to the artist’s broader research into the fragility and representation of bodies.
