10 may 2024, Flor Linckens
Ballroom Project: where an art fair and a museum experience meet
From 16 to 19 May, the sixth edition of Ballroom Project will take place in Antwerp. This unique fair concept, which blends an art fair with a curated, museum-like exhibition, is held in the stunning neoclassical BorGerHub, the former courthouse of Borgerhout. Each year, a curator is invited to present a cohesive exhibition concept, creating exciting interactions among the works and the space they inhabit. This edition's honour goes to curator Pieter Vermeulen, who has chosen 'Les Fleurs du Mal' as the overarching theme, referencing the work of the same name by the famous poet Charles Baudelaire. This year, the concept of Ballroom Project has been slightly expanded, allowing participating galleries to also showcase solo or duo presentations of their artists, without restrictions in terms of works. Ballroom Project coincides with Antwerp Art Weekend (16-19 May) and is an initiative of Base-Alpha Gallery and DMW Gallery.
Charlie De Voet’s practice includes both abstract and figurative works. In his most recent work, he explores treating paint as a material, applied in multiple layers, rather than merely as a means to add colour to the image.
Willem Boel is interested in a certain unpredictability within the artistic process, for example, as a result of chance, time or temperature. Boel states, “I think a residue is much more credible than a directed end result, which is why I am looking for (directed) residues. Of course, every action is guided by the artist's ability to act, but I try to install 'stumbling blocks' for myself during the making process to detach the result from the action.”
Joost Pauwaert is fascinated by violence and destruction, and his works often bear dystopian names like ‘Study For Apocalyptical Carousel’, ‘A New Study For An End Of The World’, or ‘Schrapnel’, referring to the weapon fragments that remain after an explosion. Pauwaert creates (kinetic) sculptures, as well as paintings and works on paper.
The French artist duo Angélique Aubrit & Ludovic Beillard employs a multidisciplinary approach that includes sculpture, video, installation, performance and drawing. Their work is characterised by a mix of theatricality, surrealism and an ominous atmosphere, inspired by the commedia dell’arte (historical Italian theatre), grotesque cinema, philosophy and the human psyche. Their work was shown in Centre Pompidou Metz and CAPC Bordeaux.
The work of Belgian artist Gerard Herman is often marked by visual humor, such as a half-sized foosball table with a single player and the cryptic title ‘Law of Conservation of Misery’. Or an information stand, often located in museums, which typically offers practical or substantive information. However, in Herman’s version, no actual information is provided, but rather a drawing of a man lounging in the sun. The title of that work is ‘The World Does The Work’.
French artist Victoria Palacios is a painter, musician, and performer. In her practice, she interweaves different media. She occasionally uses surprising surfaces for her work, from shoes to a pocketbook.
The practice of Victor Delestre, a French artist, is inspired by his background in the world of theater, where he was active for eight years before fully focusing on his artistic practice. His practice is characterised by multidisciplinarity and embraces certain narrative elements from theater.
Dodi Espinosa was born in Mexico City and after a liberal arts education at the Escola Massana in Barcelona he ended up in Antwerp, where he lives to this day. The layered works of the conceptual artist often radiate a certain strength or even resistance. They are rooted in (art) history and his personal life experiences, but are equally inspired by popular culture, archaeology, racism, displacement, syncretism, conventions within the art world, sacred art and ancient healing practices.
Natacha Mankowski grew up in Paris, where she was initially trained as an architect. After working in this sector for some time, she decided to dedicate herself to painting, but her painting practice is still deeply rooted in architecture. She draws inspiration from quarries, transitional areas where raw materials are mined for (among other things) construction. Mankowski explores our disrupted relationship with nature and the devastating influence of human beings. For her paintings, she uses samples of these raw materials to create thick, textured impasto paint that is characteristic of her work.
GoMulan presents work by Ulrike Rehm, a German artist trained in a woodworker's guild, followed by a degree at the Rietveld Academy and the Sandberg Institute. Today, she works in a variety of media and techniques: from textiles and ceramics to a painting technique for which she employs bee wax. Important sources of inspiration include folklore, traditions and archetypes. Her work has been included in the collections of KPMG, the Akzo Nobel Art Foundation, Louis Vuitton (Asia) and Museum Arnhem.
Settantotto Art Gallery is highlighting work by herman de vries. This Dutch artist was trained as a botanist and researcher, which is reflected in his practice. Plants and earth are recurring materials in his work, and thematically, it also deals with our complicated and disrupted relationship with nature. Since the 1970s, de vries has compiled an extensive archive of more than 7000 soil samples. In 2015, he represented the Netherlands at the Venice Biennale. Tip: His work can also be seen in a solo exhibition at Settantoto Art Gallery until 12 May [read a report here].
