by Anna Maja Spiess
For its anniversary edition and most anticipated 15th edition, Brussels pulled all the stops for this four-day event and we sat down with the wonderful Alexia van Eyll, Director Nino Mier Brussels as well as a committee member of the BGW to get a bit of the scoop ahead of next weekends excitement.
The Team around Sybille de Roy is always supported by 5 members of the participating galleries who help decide which newcomers to welcome into the eclectic group. They hail from the different art quarters of the town and hold an advisory position to the weekend’s core team.
The weekend consists of 47 galleries, 12 institutions, and not-for-profit entities. A buzzing 125 artists in total. All participating entities are selected by the weekend and committee to assure a broad range of fine art and represent the buzzing art scene of the city while assuring that the visitor will have a perfectly curated experience of the Brussels scene. There are individual shows at the galleries and institutions, but also 14 monumental sculptures are exhibited at a never-yet open to the public site: L’imprimerie. There visitors will also be able to explore the “Generation Brussels” show ( now in its 5th year) showing up-and-coming talent of not-yet gallery-represented artists living and working in Brussels and the presentation of the NFT partner of the Brussels Gallery Weekend PINSL.
As a long-time supporter of Gallery Weekends all over the globe, the idea to saunter at leisure through a city’s most exciting parts, stepping into a gallery here and there, but also exploring the snacks, restaurants, and shops along the way has always been my preferred way of seeing art, but also getting a good sense of what a cities vibe is. We will be surprised to find, Alexia told me, that normally a little leaning towards the minimal, Brussels has found a new love over the pandemic months for painting, her Gallery is exhibiting the German painter Anke Weyer… we are excited to see the show. Another high point to discover is the stronger representation of FLINTA and BIPoC artists we will be able to get to know. We are much looking forward to it.
It is known that all galleries put on their very best shows for the two highlights of the year: Art Brussels in spring and the Brussels Gallery Weekend in fall. We will be on the ground exploring, learning, and eating the most delicious things. Come join us! More information here.