Things to do in Charleroi, Bruges, and Brussels: Open air art throughout the city of Bruges, a return to normalcy with music and drinks, brand new gallery spaces, and more. See you there!
Art festival: Triennale Brugge 2021
Runs until 24 October Bruges
Every three years Bruges’ city center gets invaded by contemporary art when the Triennial Brugge comes to town. This years timely theme, “TraumA”, explores the thin line between dreams and nightmares. International as well has homegrown artists exhibit their works outdoors, always in dialogue with its urban surroundings. While most works are accessible 24/7 in public spaces, the program also includes an indoor group exhibition, “The Porous City” at the Poortersloge. Download a city map featuring all locations here. With Nadia Naveau, Hans Op de Beeck, John Isaacs, Gavin Turk, and many others.
Exhibition: The Invisible Worm that Flies in the Night in the Howling Storm at Pilar
Until 6 June Brussels
Music & drinks: DJ Athome at LaVallée
Friday, 28 May, 17-22h00 Brussels
A sense of normality is returning: LaVallée, one of our favorite hangouts in Molenbeek, invites you to its super cool courtyard for a winning combo of drinks, food and music. It’s the first edition of the “Les Apéros LaVallée” series, which is getting kicked off by Brussels-based Maurizio Ferrara aka DJ Athome, who’s been spinning records since the early 90s and has played at Berlin cult venues such as Tresor, Berghain Panorama Bar, and Wilde Renate.
Moving shop: Anastasia Bay at Sorry We’re Closed
Opens Saturday, 29 May Brussels
Brussels gallery Sorry We’re Closed is opening a significant new chapter this weekend: The contemporary art gallery run by Sebastién Janssen is moving from the Régence gallery hub to a majestic townhouse in the Sablon area. The inaugural exhibition “One hundred ghost stories” is also Brussels-based artist Anastasia Bay‘s first solo show, which takes the traditional Japanese parlour game Hyakumonogatari as a starting point. Candles are lit, and each participant blows out a flame after telling a scary story. The legend goes that once the last candle is extinguished, a spirit appears…
Opening: Take My Breath Away at Stems gallery
Thursday, 27 May, 17-20h00 Brussels
Aryo Toh Djojo
“Take My Breath Away” opening this week at Stems gallery unites works by Julien Boudet, Aryo Toh Djojo, Dhewadi Hadjab, Dan Mandelbaum, MarieVic, Tyrrell Winston and Allison Zuckerman. The title of the show can be read in multiple ways: it refers to cult movie Top Gun and aviation but also embodies a socio-political note, reminding of George Floyd’s emblematic last words “I can’t breathe” which have become the symbol of a worldwide movement.
Opening: NOOR / PULSE at Musée de la Photographie
Opens Saturday, 29 May Charleroi
Yuri Kozyrev
This eclectic exhibition at the Photography Museum in Charleroi showcases the work of 14 international photographers working for reputed Amsterdam-based photo agency NOOR. Collective and individual hang side by side, and the diversity of profiles makes for a fascinating journey around the globe as well as through recent history, touching upon pressing issues from migration to climate change, keeping with the agency’s motto: “Some things simply need to be seen.” With works by World Press Photo winners as well as rising talents, featuring Yuri Kozyrev (Russia), Jon Lowenstein (USA), Sanne de Wilde (Belgium), and many others.
