Guest Post By Tanya Varbanova
We are oh so happy to count the belgian artist Tanya Varbanova as our new guest writer. She will be our Brussels insider keeping an eye on what’s going on in the contemporary art scene. Tanya has a degree in Diplomacy but drops her career to entirely dedicate herself to art. Her work is a search of how we experience the present moment. Through colour and folded materials she presents the complex nature of our psyche. She enjoys strolling the galleries of Brussels and engaging with people. Follow her work on her website, Facebook Page and YouTube channel.
This year Art Brussels was even bolder than its previous editions. Attracting over to 30.000 visitors, 191 galleries coming from 33 countries Art Brussels is the fair no one wants to miss. Tour & Taxi was announced as a new location for next year which will get the fair closer to the city.
The Solo Prize was given to Honoré d’O (Kristof De Clercq – Belgium) and Germaine Kruip (G262 Sofie Van De Velde – Belgium) while winners of the YOUNG PRIZE were Maskara India and La Veronica arte contemporanea from Italy. Some artists were so loved by the public that they waited on a queue to get their €1 artwork from the Art Vending Machine of Sadaharu Horio (Osaka, Japan).
Here are our favorites from this year :
Paris-Beijing // Beijing, Brussels, Paris
Paris-Beijing stood out as one of the most interesting galleries at the show. Combining photography, video and installation the space attracted a lot of visitors. Every art work had a strong presence and its own interesting story. Visit the gallery and you may hear them in person. The works are part of the current exhibition displayed in Brussels “Temporary boundary – a survey on China censured videos & Photography“, featuring Ai Weiwei, Ren Hang, Tang Maohong and others.
Alice, Brussels
Alice Gallery has a special vibe of youth and creativity. Standing at the booth, one gets enchanted by the lush colors of Maya Hayuk and the lively flower of Mathias Pol.
Kristof De Clercq, Ghent
Almost like in a playground visitors were spinning and testing out the inventions of the Belgian artist Honoré ∂’O at Kristof De Clercq booth. A fascinating combination of invention and aesthetics the booth lit up with enthusiasm and smiles.
Boetzelaer | Nispen, Amsterdam
The Boetzelaer | Nispen showcased the work of Anouk Kruithof and Bob Eikelboom, an overall very reflective booth creating interesting mirror effects from the passing by people. The two artists come from different background but are bound by the struggle to overcome the fixedness of their media. Anouk Kruithof features photographic sculptures, some see-though, some reflecting or changing light depending on where you stand. Bob Eikelboom’s paintings use the monochrome as a permanent strategic starting point. His recent experiments with magnetic shapes on monochrome metal backgrounds gave him freedom to create paintings whose composition is not fixed.
Feizi, Brussels, Shanghai
The Feizi Gallery is another very lively and interesting spot. Keen Souhlal is one to watch.
Sullivan+Strumpf, Australia
The gallery Sullivan + Strumpf featured the work of Hiromi Tango, artist fascinated by the phenomenon of neuroplasticity. Her sculptures visualize the brain’s ability to adapt and create new pathways for transmitting information. Otherworldly and evocative, her light boxes bathe the viewer in a warm neon glow.
Chelouche Gallery, Tel Aviv
The Israeli booth presented various genres and artists. The spotlight of the Chelouche Gallery was the moving paintings in colour screens. Also, Zigi Ben-Haim and his moving sculptures won the attention of buyers.
Michel Rein, Brussels, Paris
Remarkable work by Sophie Whettnall at Michel Rein (Drilling for Light on show until 30.05). Her simple and direct approach show sincerity in her work. The effect of ‘drilling for light’ into the wooden structure results in a fairy-tale like sensation.
Super Dakota, Brussels
I had the pleasure of meeting Ariane Schick in person and it was such a pleasure to get to know this wonderful artist. ‘Casual Throws’ is currently at display in Super Dekota until 23rd of May. The works will reveal to you in a different way depending on where you stand. This was the effect she wanted to create questioning the reception of images perceived when reading magazines.
Cover picture by Thierry Somers
The Bubblist 