Friday, November 8, 2024

15:35 - 16:00

Sala Ospiti

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Details

Ann Geeraerts and Marie Claes, Bozar, Brussels, Belgium For more than 30 years the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (Bozar) has presented temporary exhibitions throughout standing scenographies. Conceived by its founders in 1928 as a ‘House for the Living Arts’, it does not house an art collection to date. Yet, as the institution strives for a more sustainable future, the emphasis on cutting-edge exhibition design faces new hurdles, especially since the scenographies are not developed for permanent collections but for quickly changing temporary exhibitions. Bozar is trying to reconcile artistic, practical and conservation questions with more sustainable objectives. For the exhibition Histoire de ne pas rire, Surrealism in Belgium, a scenographic labyrinth presenting almost 400 items(paintings, objects, photography, collage, documents…) was developed in collaboration with URA architects. The concept of presenting all artworks exclusively on temporary walls proved difficult to marry within budget, time and material constraints. In consultation with the architects, a concept of deconstruction was realized that could reconcile the ambitious artistic vision and an unorthodox way of presentation with a strategy of recycling and an ecology of resources. The case presents the challenges, the invaluable lessons learned, and the promising strategies forged for the future.

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Speaker