Presidency proudly presents the art of Belgium
In order to give extra emphasis its wealth of visual art, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is exhibiting a range of works by Belgian artists. In strategic locations where the Presidency will be in action over the course of a half-year, work by a number of major Belgian artists is on display
Belgiumis not only home to the European institutions which are housed at the heart of its capital city. it is also a place with an exceptionally rich tradition in art.
Belgian Masters
Belgium decided to treat its fellow European member states to a diverse selection of art. Works by artists such as Panamarenko, Pierre Alechinsky, Wim Delvoye, Michiel Hendryckx, Marie-Jo Lafontaine, Piet Stockmans, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Fabrice Samyn and Manza are displayed on the walls of the locations in which the work of the presidency will be conducted during the half year. In the Ensor Year, a portrait of this master by Charles Szymkovicz will also be featured. In the context of the Congo Year, a Congolese fetish figure and a series of photographs by Stephan Vanfleteren will also be prominently displayed.
Creativity and dialogue
The aim is not only to highlight the artistic aspect: the symbolism is also important. The themes of the works selected run parallel with the major themes that the Belgian Presidency wants to address: technology, design & fashion, as well as poverty and austerity. Other European topics such as multiculturalism, identity, migration and national borders are also symbolically represented.
In this way, the Belgian Presidency not only wants to honour the artists, but also to stimulate creativity and exchange with its partners in dialogue.
Strategic locations
The works will be on display in the VIP-lounges at Brussels Airport, the salons and Belgian delegation rooms in the Justus Lipsius building, the offices of the competent Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, and the Belgian Permanent Representation to the European Union at Wetstraat 61-63. All of the works, except for those in the VIP-lounges of the Justus Lipsius-building, will remain on display after the Belgian Presidency.
The artwork is on loan from the collections of governmental institutions, museums, galleries and the artists themselves.
At each location, there are brochures that provide notes on the exhibited works. The brochures can be viewed here.
© Marie-Jo Lafontaine, Babylon Babies, 2003, Belgian State
© Manza, Brussels Poets Collective & Passa Porta, The European Constitution in verse, 2009, Belgian State
© Charles Szymkovicz, James Ensor, 1999, Belgian State
© Panamarenko, Batopillo, 2005, De Weer Gallery