NEWS / Current presentation
CURRENT PRESENTATION!
VIEWING DEPOT EXH#03 & Elen ou Hubris
The Vanhaerents Art Collection is delighted to present two parallel exhibitions this season.
EXH#03 is the third major presentation in our viewing depot, highlighting recent acquisitions and seminal works from the collection. The exhibition spans all three floors and brings together large-scale works that resonate with today’s urgent social and cultural questions.
In the project space, we proudly unveil Elen ou Hubris (2020), a monumental hand-tufted tapestry by Brazilian artist Elen Braga. First displayed for only five hours on Brussels’ Triumphal Arch on International Women’s Day 2020, the work now returns for its first full public presentation.
Elen Braga’s monumental hand-tufted tapestry Elen ou Hubris (2020) was first installed for just one day on Brussels’ Triumphal Arch in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, temporarily replacing the Belgian flag on International Women’s Day. With this bold gesture, the artist questioned the role of monuments, excessive pride, and national representation within a complex political and colonial context. The work evokes the notion of hubris, linking it to both biblical and mythological narratives such as Nebuchadnezzar’s colossal statue and Arachne’s fateful weaving contest with Athena. Depicting herself in a blue catsuit lifting an Olympic weight plate, Braga draws on figures like Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, and Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The creation of the work itself was an act of endurance, taking 364 days and 2,184 hours to complete, using 200 kilograms of acrylic wool.
Now on view in the Project Space of the Vanhaerents Art Collection, Elen ou Hubris invites visitors to reconsider the meanings of monumentality, power, and self-projection in today’s urban landscapes.
The artworks featured in the exhibition Viewing Depot #3 – delve into themes of oppression, the deprivation of freedom, and the erosion of individuality. Each artist brings a unique perspective to these subjects.
Stephan Balleux (b. 1974) conveys feelings of alienation and distortion of the human form in his piece The Guardian, 2007, rendered in stark black and white grisaille.
Gregory Crewdson (b. 1962) explores the isolating nature of everyday life in American suburbs through his series Beneath the Roses, using exposure and composition to evoke a sense of detachment.
Alvaro Barrington (b. 1983) employs jute material as a symbol of undervalued labor and marginal trade, eschewing canvas in his work to highlight societal inequalities.
Jonathan Meese (b. 1970) is recognized for his provocative and enigmatic statements, challenging viewers with controversial themes.
Zakaria Ramhani (b. 1983) confronts religious traditions and condemns political violence through his thought-provoking pieces.
Jin Meyerson (b. 1972) delves into the themes of natural disasters, human migration, and the transformation of cities during industrialization, offering a poignant commentary on societal evolution.
Ugo Rondinone (b. 1964) invites viewers to engage in introspective meditation and melancholy through his understated yet emotive works.
Aaron-Viktor Peeters (b. 1994) references the creation of a mountain by Italian immigrants as a byproduct of the mining industry in Genk, Belgium, while also exploring themes of migration and mobility.
Gillian Wearing (b. 1963) utilizes masks as a means of exploring identity, revealing layers of persona behind each facade.
Eddy Kamuanga (b. 1991) addresses the exploitation of his people and the plundering of Congo’s resources, shedding light on systemic injustices.
Gilbert and George (b. 1943 and 1942) provocatively present their own bodies in Bloody Mooning, amidst a backdrop of bodily fluids, challenging societal norms and reflecting on the world’s self-destructive tendencies.
