Eight cultural things to do in Belgium this week, from exhibitions in Antwerp and Ghent to birthdays in Brussels.
Opening: Miles Fischler and Fleur De Roeck at Oude Beurs
Friday, 9 June Antwerp
Antwerp photographer Miles Fischler is behind many of this agenda’s cover photos, especially the architectural ones, and you might also remember her from our very own exhibition “No Place Like Home” at Brussels Art Department. Now she’s exhibiting new images and a video installation at Oude Beurs in her hometown, together with young Belgian painter Fleur De Roeck. While Miles mainly explores public space with a trained eye for colors, shapes and rhythm, Fleur captivates with colorful, energetic paintings that meander between the abstract and the figurative.
Birthday bash I: Krjst at Art Sablon gallery
From 9 to 23 June Brussels
Belgian fashion label Krjst, run by creative duo Justine and Erika, turns five this year. They’re celebrating their anniversary with a little get-together and an exhibition at Art Sablon gallery and you’re invited.
Birthday bash II: Café Maison du Peuple
Saturday, 10 June Brussels
Over the last nine years Café Maison du Peuple has become an institution in Brussels’ St. Gilles neighbourhood. This weekend there’s a huge birthday party planned including a mini market putting forward local products, activities for kids, food trucks, concerts, and more.
Exhibition: Kader Attia at SMAK
Until 1 October Ghent
Ghent’s SMAK currently presents the work of French-Algerian artist Kader Attia, premiering his video work “Reflecting Memory” in Belgium, which won him the Marcel Duchamp prize last year. On view is also a brand new installation based on old fabrics Attia collected during his many travels to Africa. In his oeuvre he regularly explores notions of trauma and repair in our globalised society: “Repairing means, etymologically, in Western culture, returning to the original state, therefore denying injury. In traditional, African and Asian societies and even ante-modern societies in the West, repairing meant that an injury was treated, and that repair was given an equally important role alongside the injury, in short, the injured object was given a second life,” Attia explains.
Drinks: Apéros Lièges at Parc Citadelle
Friday, 9 June Liège
With summer just around the corner, numerous open air pop-up projects are emerging all around the country. One is the “Apéros Liège” initiative, which invites you to the city’s Parc Citadelle this Friday for music, drinks and snacks in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your picknick blanket!
Art night: Gent Soirees
Friday, 9 June Ghent
Tatjana Pieters gallery
Ghent’s galleries and art spaces team up for the first edition of joint art night “Gent Soirees”, letting you discover the city’s art scene all in one evening. Do check out Swiss artist Niklaus Rüegg at Convent and the finissage of Ravyts & Hamilton at Tatjana Pieters Gallery.
Festival: Give Music a Chance at Campus d‘Argenteuil
Saturday, 10 June Waterloo
Non-profit Waterloo Sessions joins forces with Belgian NGO Music Fund for a music festival of a different kind this Saturday. When buying a ticket to Give Music a Chance, an eclectic, family-friendly music bash taking over the gorgeous grounds of Waterloo’s Campus d‘Argenteuil, a large part of the proceeds are going to social projects in Vietnam and Myanmar, giving young people in areas affected by poverty or conflict the opportunity to make music. With Stereo Grand, Grandgeorge, The Funktionnaires, La Malanga, Les Amies de la Nouvelles Orléans, and others.
Sunday sports: Yoga at M HKA
Sunday, 11 June, 10h00 Antwerp
After intense renovation works M HKA reopened its doors this spring, and if you haven’t seen it yet in its new glory you can do so in combination with a yoga class of a different kind this Sunday. A ticket buys you a visit to the museum, a one-hour yoga class surrounded by art, and a healthy breakfast in the museum café. Sounds like the perfect Sunday program (if you’re not too hungover).
