Yussef Kamaal in Leuven, artist talks in Antwerp and Belgian rap showdowns in Brussels.
1. Wednesday 23rd November: Eva Hesse, Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven and Danny Devos at Cinema Zuid, Antwerp
An exclusive screening of the famed documentary on the life and work of iconic post-war sculptor Eva Hesse at Antwerp’s Cinema Zuid has local artist couple Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven and Danny Devos engage in a discussion with art critic Wim Van Mulders on the impact of Hesse’s body of work. Essential viewing.
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2. Thursday 24th November: Patrick Carpentier at WIELS, Brussels
Former WIELS resident, film maker, Décade editions founder, photographer and sculptor Patrick Carpentier takes in the art centre’s project room for a week-long exhibition displaying his emblematic brute sculptures, inspired by Morandi’s modest visual language and still lives. Runs until 4th December.
Join the event on Facebook3. Thursday 24th November: Peter Schuyff at Sorry we’re closed, Brussels
The second solo exhibition by Dutch-born painter and sculptor Peter Schuyff at Sorry we’re Closed gallery features a new series of wood-carved paintings.Runs until 14th January.
Join the event on Facebook4. Thursday 24th November: Arpaïs Du Bois at Fifty One Gallery, Antwerp
Following a stint at Ghent’s museum and psychiatric institution Ghislain, Belgian artist Arpaïs Du Bois made a series of humble and emotional drawings, rather ambiguously titled ‘Faire partie des gens qui chantent’. Runs until 28th January.
Join the event on Facebook5. Friday 25th November: JeanJass & Caballero and Berrykrimi at VK, Brussels
As part of its Puur Belge programmation, Molenbeek’s VK invited rap duo JeanJass & Caballero, who in turn invited Flemish-spoken Berrykrimi and rapper TheColorGrey to share the stage with them. Rumour has it that prolific local producer Phasm will use the night as a pretext to celebrate his birthday so chanced are you’re in for the odd surprise or two. Salute.
Join the event on Facebook6. Friday 25th November: Nairy Baghramian opening at SMAK, Ghent
Berlin-based Iranian artist Nairy Bagramian (1971) creates sculptures and site-specific installations that contain hints of both modernism and post-minimalism. While her approach might appear playful at first, Baghramian reflects on sculpture’s role and concepts while creating a tension between her different surroundings: the museum, the urban environment and the domestic setting. This tension is continued in the creative process of her work, respectful of sculptural tradition whilst underpinned by boundary-breaking and nonconformist tendencies. Ghent’s SMAK museum invites the artist for her first ever comprehensive solo exhibition, set to include a wide selection of sculptures as well as a series of publications that further explain Baghramian’s artistic body of work. Runs until 19th February.
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7. Friday 25th – Sunday 27th November: Eastern Daze at Vooruit, Ghent
Experimental music label KRAAK takes in Ghent’s Vooruit for three days of cosmic and ecstatic performances, with German kraut demigod Manuel Göttsching gracing the line-up next to mystical psychedelic shapeshifter Typhonian Highlife, locals Bear Bones Lay Low, YZ, and many more. The minimalist avant-garde event of the year if you ask us.
Join the event on Facebook8. Friday 25th November: Islam Chipsy at STUK, Leuven
Inspired by traditional Egyptian Shaabi, while simultaneously overflowing with raw synths and blazing psychedelic drums, Egypt’s triple force Islam Chipsy strikes down in Leuven, delivering one of their boundary-crossing and breathtaking live performances. Legendary.
Join the event on Facebook9. Friday 25th November: 4 years Tangram at Het Depot, Leuven
At Leuven’s Depot this Friday, it’s all beats, jazz and urban vibes, courtesy of Tangram Records celebrating its 4th birthday. Live acts include Yussef Kamaal, whose debut Black Forest is a strong contender for album of the year, Audri and Samiyam, with deck duties handled by FRIS, Up High Collective and Moodprint.
Join the event on Facebook10. Friday 25th November: Kapitan Korsakov and Cocaine Piss at Cirque Mystic, Aalst
An uncompromising evening filled with noise, punk and distortion in Aalst this Friday, with Ghent-based trio Kapitan Korsakov (with Raketkanon frontman Pieter-Paul Devos on guitars) presenting their latest release ‘Physical Violence’, after four years of silence. They’ll be joined by Cocaine Piss and Every stranger looks like you. Not for the faint of heart.
Join the event on Facebook11. Saturday 26th November: Actionnaires & Fortune Collective at Le Lac, Brussels
Party collectives Fortune and Actionnaires collaborated for a night-long shindig by Paris-based cosmic electro trio Zombie Zombie and local cinematic composer Marc Melia. Afterparty goes down at downtown Bonnefooi, until the early hours.
Join the event on Facebook12. Saturday 26th November: Eyjafjallajökull at Komplot, Brussels
Inspired by the eruption of Iceland’s volcano Eyjafjallajökull, Komplot’s upcoming group exhibition features the work of young Italian artists Francesco Piarulli and Flavio D’Amico, and opens this Saturday with a performance by Mao Nakagawa. Exhibition runs until 24th December.
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13. Saturday 26th November: Newcomers opening at The Hope, Brussels
Newcomers, a management agency for young Paris and Brussels-based artists, ambitiously launches this Saturday at temporary art space The Hope. The perfect occasion to get to know some of the country’s up and coming new talent.
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14. Saturday 26th November: Etcetera IV at SMAK, Ghent
An evening of video screenings and performances, hosted by Young Friends, SMAK’s platform for young artists, with Antwerp no wave four-piece Fluwelen Koord, film maker and sculptor sisters Maika and Inca Garnica, 019’s Valentijn Goethals, modular synth wizard Floris Vanhoof, and many more.
Join the event on Facebook15. Saturday 26th November: John Stezaker and Joachim Naudts at Sofie Van De Velde, Antwerp
For the closing night of John Stezaker’s exhibition ‘John Stezaker in dialogue with Marcel Broodthaers’, Sofie Van De Velde invited both the artist and FOMU curator Joachim Naudts for a talk on the use of collages within photography.
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