This fall the cultural agenda in Brussels is full of surprises. Contemporary art is a huge cultural success, with a varied offer that speaks volumes about the energy of the Belgian capital scene. From the Rubik’s cube to ancient Alexandria, animal photography to the new perspectives opened up by contemporary sculpture, Brussels has plenty to surprise all visitors.
Over the past few years, Brussels has established itself as one of the beating hearts of European contemporary art. The appearance of new national and international galleries, artists, previews, exhibitions and fairs has contributed to the city’s appeal and bustling life, whatever the season.
The major exhibitions of the moment feature Picasso, a vibrant tribute to Frida Kahlo and a choral exhibition featuring Ann Veronica Janssens and Peter Vermeersch. As for fairs, the year is off to a great start with a host of original propositions: a focus on monumental works in an exceptional setting, an exhibition on contemporary drawing and some great initiatives to make art both affordable and accessible. Packed fuller than ever, the new season’s program is diverse and enthralling.
1. Invader Rubikcubist
MIMA‘s latest exhibition explodes the Rubik’s cube and turns it into a creative force. It presents around one hundred cubist-style paintings and sculptures by the superstar artist Invader, whose small mosaics are world famous. Composed entirely of Rubik’s cubes, his works distort certain icons of art history (from the Mona Lisa to Freedom Leading the People), reproduce the covers of mythical albums or portraits of pop culture icons.
Dates: until 8 January 2023
Location: MIMA
2. Sit Back, Relax & Enjoy the Apocalypse
Under the direction of visual artist Seppe De Roo, Sit Back, Relax & Enjoy the Apocalypse creates bridges between the physical world and its virtual double. For three weeks, 14 young artists tackle the concept of Apocalypse and apply it to the contemporary world. In addition to the survival of humanity, this exhibition is an exploration of the survival of young artists. In November 2022, echoing this first event, a virtual exhibition will explore the interconnection between the digital and physical world through augmented artworks.
Dates: 2 to 18 September 2022
Location: La Vallée
3. On the Lookout
Foundation CAB messes with our perceptions and plays on color variations thanks to a partnership of 9 contemporary artists. Immersive, at the boundaries of material and multi-sensory representation, the works and installations that make up On the Lookout transport us into a parallel universe. The exhibition will be an opportunity to get reacquainted with the fascinating works of Belgian artist Ann Veronica Janssens, the perfect and hypnotic gradations of Peter Vermeersch and the architectural sculptures of Morgane Tschiember. A choral exhibition that puts our senses on the lookout.
Dates: 6 September to 17 December 2022
Location: Fondation CAB
4. Didier Vermeiren: double exposition
After Marcel Broodthaers and Kasper Bosmans, WIELS is honoring another Belgian talent: Didier Vermeiren! Born in Brussels in the 1950s, the visual artist has constantly turned sculpture upside down. In an instant, he makes the base on which the work traditionally rests an integral part of the composition. His often-radical sculptural forms are blended, duplicated or repeated in a minimalist style that emphasizes the relief of the material.
Dates: 9 September 2022 to 8 January 2023
Location: WIELS
5. Shimabuku – Instrumental
With his humor tinged with poetry, Japanese artist Shimabuku attaches particular importance to the small details of everyday life. For his first exhibition in Belgium, he has chosen to focus on the music that often accompanies his projects, installations and videos. At WIELS, he presents a fine selection of recent works, which include an installation where the latest telephones stand alongside prehistoric stone tools and his video Bow to Bow, where the artist transforms a bow into an amazing musical instrument.
Dates: 9 September 2022 to 8 January 2023
Location: WIELS
6. Des Oiseaux
In a flock, on the wing, in their nest or in a portrait, feathered creatures are the subject of an exceptional focus at Hangar. Larks, sparrows, parrots and even cockatoos, Des Oiseaux brings together the work of 13 photographers from all over the world, who, from close up or far away, have captured the fascinating life of birds. The exhibition involves, among others, the poetic views of Rinko Kawauchi, Bernard Plossu and Michael Kenna.
Dates: 9 September to 17 December 2022
Location: Hangar
7. Kinshasa (N)tóngá: Between Future and Dust
Kinshasa (N)tóngá: Between Future and Dust presents a unique vision of the Congolese capital, its development and its urban structure. Colonial legacy and the impact it has had on the architecture in the third largest city on the African continent are themes addressed in the works of the 14 featured artists. Combining various media (photography, film, archives, installations and performances) the exhibition is structured around a scenography that recalls the aesthetics of a city in the making and the specific architecture of Kinshasa.
Dates: 23 September 2022 to 20 November 2022
Location: K1 – Kanal Centre Pompidou
8. Flags
With Flags, the Boghossian Foundation renews its collaboration with the curator and former Director of the Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Centre Pompidou, Alfred Pacquement. This time, the exhibition is structured around the highly symbolic fabric that is the flag. Eminently political, it questions identities and offers artists multiple meanings. Taken at face value, these multicolored banners are also close to the colorful abstractions of modern creations. Flags brings together an eclectic mix of works by leading figures in modern and contemporary art, including Marina Abramovic, Daniel Buren, Jasper Jones, Wim Delvoye and Andy Warhol.
Dates: 29 September 2022 to 15 January 2023
Location: Boghossian Foundation – Villa Empain
9. Alexandria: Past futures
Organised with the Mariemont Museum and the MUCEM, Alexandria: Past Futures explores concepts as diverse as urbanism, cosmopolitanism and the connections between the Mediterranean and Europe in antiquity. Through 200 objects, including sculpted architectural elements, splendid gold jewellery and equestrian statues, the exhibition provides an unprecedented perspective on ancient Alexandria. This exceptional heritage opens a dialogue with contemporary artworks designed by creators from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. Mixed with antiquities, their creations allow beautiful, critical or poetic, associations between eras.
Dates: 30 September 2022 to 8 January 2023
Location: Bozar
10. Picasso & Abstraction
Pablo Picasso is known as one of the pioneers of Cubism, but what do we know about his relationship with abstraction? Without claiming to be part of this artistic movement, the painter constantly flirted with its codes, playing with the simplification of forms and the strength of colors. Designed in partnership with the Musée National Picasso Paris, Picasso & Abstraction highlights the Spanish artist’s unfailing curiosity and plunges us into the heart of his creative process, with over 120 exceptional works!
Dates: 14 October 2022 to 12 February 2023
Location: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
11. Miradas de Mujeres – Isabelle de Borchgrave X Frida Kahlo
For years, Isabelle de Borchgrave has enchanted us with her folded papers, her bold design and her taste for colors and patterns. With Miradas de Mujeres, the queen of paper takes a trip to Mexico, following in the footsteps of the mythical Frida Kahlo. With a real creative touch, the Brussels artist has reconstructed the very unique decor of Frida’s house and workshop, Casa Azul. A joyful and sunny universe made from 4km of paper that instantly take us on a journey.
Dates: 14 October 2022 to 12 February 2023
Location: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
12. Photo Brut
Collaborative and multidisciplinary, Photo Brut brings together the talents of several institutions around a little-known aspect of outsider art: photography. In Brussels, it’s divided into three. At the Art et marges museum, which focuses on Jean-Marie Massou, at the Tiny Gallery, the Botanique and the CENTRALE which present a photographic sample from the extensive collection of Bruno Decharme. These shots, produced by self-taught creators, reveal intimate universes and unique settings. Photo Brut will also exist outside the capital with extensions at La “S” Grand Atelier.
Dates: 24 November 2022 to 19 March 2023
Location: Art et marges/Botanique/CENTRALE for contemporary art
13. ArtContest
Since 2005, ArtContest has been the benchmark visual art competition for young artists (Belgian citizens or residents) aged under 35. A real showcase, it aims to reveal, follow and support the work of emerging young artists. This year, no fewer than 10 of them will exhibit their work. Within a demanding and stimulating environment, this unique event facilitates meetings and presents works and artists to the public, and a high-caliber jury.
Dates: 2 to 23 September 2022
Location: Espace Vanderborght
14. Brussels Gallery Weekend
2022 is an exceptional year for the Brussels Gallery Weekend, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary and will bring together 47 galleries for the occasion. From 8 to 11 September, the program is going all out, presenting an insight into the world of 125 artists, an exhibition dedicated to young artists of the local scene (Generation Brussels), conferences and an exciting fringe program. The cherry on the cake is the Sculpture Factory exhibition dedicated to monumental sculpture in a breathtaking setting. Spread over 20,000m2, it will display 16 large- format works, echoing the modernist decor of the former printing works of the Belgian National Bank.
Dates: 8 to 11 September 2022
Location: all over the city
15. Brussels Drawing Week
Launched at the initiative of the Art on Paper fair, Brussels Drawing Week is the opportunity to (re)discover contemporary drawing, its history, its artists and its practices. This year, it’s the Espace Vanderborght that welcomes the graphic gems of the 2022 vintage. Artists in residence, exclusive guided tours, themed exhibitions and conferences will punctuate this intense week of programs.
Dates: 3 to 9 October 2022
Location: all over the city
16. Art on Paper
In 2022, Art on Paper is moving to the Espace Vanderborght. For its 7th event, the exhibition will, once again, be presenting a unique panorama of the quality and diversity of contemporary approaches to drawing. Among the galleries present, the Brussels-based Irène Laub, Galerie Dys and Hopstreet appear alongside their counterparts from Milan, Amsterdam, Barcelona and London. Another highlight of the event is the solo show dedicated to the winner of the Eeckman Art Prize, Sarah Minutillo, and her eye-catching drawings with a mysterious aura.
Dates: 6 to 9 October 2022
Location: Espace Vanderborght
