It’s the summer holidays and time to explore some of those exciting exhibitions you simply haven’t had time for. The Triënnale Brugge art festival has been on for a while now, but if you still haven’t seen it, it is well worth a visit: modern international art at various locations across the historic city. The show runs till 1 September.
Twelve teams consisting of artists and architects from at home and abroad and their open-air art installations have taken possession of the West Flemish capital. This time round less well-known quarters of the city are in the spotlight: often locations that are waiting for new and more sustainable use.
The Triënnale Brugge started in the Seventies, moving the boundaries in a city that had become rather staid. Flemish artist Roger Raveel memorably let wooden swans swim on the ‘Reien’ as the canals of Bruges are called locally. This year’s festival is the fourth in its present form: a three-yearly event with often monumental and dazzling art installations, all in the open air, across the city and to be enjoyed free of charge.
The Triënnale Brugge invited twelve teams of artists and architects to visit Bruges and select their own location to display their installation. Co-curator Shendy Gardin had high hopes of how teams from outside the city would bring a new perspective to Bruges and wasn’t disappointed. This year’s theme is ‘Spaces of Possibility’. It has allowed Bruges to be turned into a lab for art in public spaces.
Our video shows how the exhibition was constructed across Bruges.
Climb the tower, sound the bell!
One of my favourites is the ‘Tower of Balance’ by the Bangkok Project Studio from Thailand. Find it close to the Zand plaza on the outskirts of the Old Town. Climb this elegant construction and you can sound the bell. The view of the historic towers of Bruges is thrown in for the effort of your climb.
Lose your way in high tech tunnels
It’s the first time the garden of the old Capuchin monastery has been open to the general public. Walk through a simple garage door and thanks to the American architects of SO-IL you arrive in a complex of transparent tunnels created from cord made from plastic bottles. It’s a technical feat that delivers a fairytale experience.
A courtyard donned in silver
The Cloth Hall at the bottom of the belfry on Bruges’ historic market square is where cloth used to be traded. Climb the silvery scaffolding in the courtyard where silver-coloured textiles have been turned into curtains and sails. Belgium’s Traumnovelle gets you to wonder whether you are still a spectator or have become the actor.
Boots on the Reien
This wouldn’t be Bruges if the ‘Reien’ or canals hadn’t been incorporated into the fun. Two bronze boots adorn the Speelmansrei. Colombia’s Ivan Argote wonders ‘Who?’.
Find freedom at the psychiatric hospital
This year’s Triënnale also takes you to the garden of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe psychiatric hospital. Between bare rocks Lebanon’s Mona Hatoum has created a deep one-person gully. Here’s you’ll find a swing that allows you to reach for the heavens. Freedom and captivity are Hatoum’s themes.
The Triënnale Brugge runs till 1 September and can be visited free of charge. Click here to see the full programme and download a city map detailing all installations.