Discover Benelux | Culture | CIVA and Musée de la Photographie
Highlighting the eclectic history of Brussels’ urban spaces, landscape and architecture CIVA is a museum, an archive centre, a library and a place for architecture and landscape architecture enthusiasts to meet. Based in Ixelles and Kanal-Centre Pompidou, the centre’s mission is to spread the Brussels region’s exceptional architectural and landscape history with the public. CIVA is the main architecture and landscape centre in Brussels, organising exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, book launches and children’s activities throughout the year. Designed Landscapes, which runs until 31 March 2019 in Ixelles, is an exhibition that puts forward new perspectives on the landscape of the Brussels region, from 1775 to the present day. Through original documents and photographs, the exhibition allows visitors to discover the rich history of parks and public gardens in Brussels. Another unique exhibition, As Seen – Photographies d’architecture is running until 30 June 2019 at Kanal–Centre Pompidou, and
highlights the best contemporary Citroën garage buildings, built between 1927 and 1941, chosen from CIVA’s archives by Belgian photographer and artist Philippe De Gobert. Catering to the whole family, CIVA’s Cité des Enfants is a permanent exhibition, designed for children and adults alike. Through interactive lessons, educational games and drawings, it traces the history of architecture and urban planning in Brussels from the 19th century to the present day. “Brussels is one of the greenest cities in the world, but surprisingly, the city’s heritage is not well known , even among many locals. Our mission is to share information and highlight the wonderful, rich and eclectic history of Brussels,” says Ursula Wieser Benedetti, director of the garden, landscape and urban ecosystem department at CIVA.
Web: www.civa.brussels Facebook: civabrussels Instagram: @civabrussels
TOP: Edouard Keilig, Bois de la Cambre, Brussels, 1862-1867. Vue from Chalet Robinson. Old postcard. Photo: © Coll. CIVA, Brussels. BOTTOM: Parc Porte de Ninove. Photo: © Bruxelles Environnement / Bruxelles mobilité / Beliris / Arcadis / Base / Suède 36
A journey through the history of photography The Museum of Photography, located in Charleroi, is a centre for contemporary arts of the Wallonia-Brussels federation. Situated where the old convent of Mont-surMarchienne once stood, today, it is one of the largest and most important photography collections in Europe, displaying over 80,000 photographs. The museum takes visitors on a journey covering the entire history of photography, from the 19th century to the present day. “The museum’s collection is more historic in the ancient neo-gothic Carmelite convent building, and more thematic in the new contemporary wing. The museum features big names in Belgian and international photography,” says Cécile Druart, the museum’s communications manager. Alongside the museum’s permanent exhibitions, there are also temporary ones; two of which have recently opened. Patrick Willocq’s Songs of the Walés, is a visually and aurally immersive exhibition into the world of the Walés, 96 | Issue 62 | February 2019
TEXT: NDÉLA FAYE
which is a ‘breastfeeding mother’ ritual and celebration of motherhood, practiced by the Ekonda and Ntomba people in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Willocq lived during his formative years. The exhibition is composed of portraits, installations and a documentary film, all interspersed with the songs of the Walés. Olivier Cornil’s Dans mon jardin les fleurs dansent (In my garden flowers dance) is a narrative exhibition, illustrated through writing and photographs. The very personal work is focused and based around Cornil’s mother and the family circle, set in Corrèze in south-western France, between 2002 and 2018. The exhibition tells a story of breakups, bereavements, tears, laughter and longing. Both exhibitions, alongside Jacques Meuris’ L’expérience photographique will run until 12 May 2019. Web: www.museephoto.be Facebook: /museephotocharleroi
TEXT: NDÉLA FAYE
Walé Asongwaka s’envole. Photo: © Patrick Willocq / courtesy Project 2.0 / Gallery
Walé Bongei, la brillante. Photo: © Patrick Willocq / courtesy Project 2.0 / Gallery
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