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KOEN VANMECHELEN

An internationally renowned artist, working across a multitude of disciplines, Koen Vanmechelen (1965) is one of the most versatile thinkers of these times. He is situated at the confluence of art, science, philosophy and community. >> read more

EXHIBITIONS

Birds, Kunstenhuis Harelbeke, Belgium, 14 September – 17 November 2025

In recent years, birds have increasingly appeared in contemporary art. Why do artists today so often return to the image of the bird? Is...

New Generation, FRAGILE – A Selection of Glasstress, Castel Belasi, Trento (IT) 5 July – 26 October 2025

In a striking encounter between contemporary glass art and ecological reflection, FRAGILE – A Selection of Glasstress unfolds within the...

Bio-Care, TINNED, Wasserman Projects, Detroit (US), May 31 – August 23, 2025

This summer, Wasserman Projects celebrates ten years of artistic innovation, collaboration, and community in Detroit’s Eastern Market...

Mantle of Love, Cosmogolem, Sint-Denijs-City (BE), 14 AUG - 21 SEPT 2025

Koen Vanmechelen is one of 43 artists selected for the second edition of the art biennale Sint-Denijs-City. From 14 August to 21...

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NEWS

A Rare Constellation of Sound and Place

WIM MERTENS + ELISABETH KLINCK | B-CLASSIC × AFF13 September 2025 | Protected Paradise, LABIOMISTA On Saturday 13 September, the wild...

Vanmechelen passes the torch

After four transformative years as inspirator of the Watou Arts Festival, Koen Vanmechelen is now passing the torch. He believes the time...

WILD GENE FESTIVAL BRINGS TOGETHER MUSIC, ART AND COMMUNITY IN A POWERFUL CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY

The first edition of the Wild Gene Festival drew 3,500 people to LABIOMISTA, the evolving art park of Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen on...

Koen Vanmechelen and Youssou N’Dour launch Wild Gene Festival

On August 1, 2025, artist Koen Vanmechelen and global music icon Youssou N’Dour come together for the inaugural edition of the Wild Gene...

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PORTFOLIO

Vanmechelen's oeuvre is characterised by diversity: a unique mix of paintings, drawings, photography, innovative 3D-techniques, video, installations and wooden sculptures. Discover a selection of works.

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LABIOMISTA

Visit LABIOMISTA and discover the unique vision of artist Koen Vanmechelen and his life's work in terms of identity, fertility & biocultural diversity. A garden of order and chaos, an arena of culture and nature. Vanmechelen's wonder lab.

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PROJECTS & FOUNDATIONS

Discover some of Vanmechelen's crossbreeding projects and their supporting foundations; intersecting art, science, sociology and culture. It's the artist way of reflecting on the existential questions of individual identity and life, and it touches on contemporary issues regarding human rights, sustainability and multiculturalism.

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