Koen Vanmechelen's artworks are present at the new annual arts festival Sculptura #1 from Feb. 10 to March 12, 2023. His work T-Rex, a giant dinosaur leg/ enlarged chicken claw, and the imposing egg 'In Between' are on display for five weeks at the Gare Maritime, the beautifully restored former Tour & Taxis freight station. Under the motto "A journey to Discovery," contemporary sculptures and installation art are highlighted.
A journey to Discovery
During the first edition of Sculptura, the nearly seven-meter-long dinosaur claw, T-Rex, is on display. An imposing work that can also be seen as the enlargement of a chicken leg.
"T-Rex refers to the ancient genes waiting to come back to life when the context demands it. These genes are dormant but vigilant, forgotten, not lost. Domestication is a temporary cover for the sleeping beast that will one day awaken.'
— Koen Vanmechelen
In addition to the T-Rex, the giant, polyester egg 'In Between' was also selected for this expo. 'In Between is about the pluripotential moment before it all begins, always and everywhere. Before fear and hope merge into a force of change and action and possibilities become facts," the artist states.
Art in public space
Sculptura #1 introduces sculptural art with a wide range of styles and both monumental and small-scale works by internationally renowned artists that together span all generations. In 2024, on the occasion of the Belgian presidency of the European Union, the Brussels Sculpture Festival aims to fan out across the entire city of Brussels and internationalize even more strongly. The organization aims to give art a more prominent place in the public space, together with its partners.
Participating artists
Atelier Van Lieshout (NL), Willem Boel (BE), Jean Boghossian (BE), Dries Boutsen (BE), Caroline Coolen (BE), Ivan Cremer (NL), Dirk De Keyzer (BE), Nick Ervinck (BE),
Didier François (BE), Tom Frantzen (BE), Pal Horváth (HU), Athar Jaber (BE),
Peter Jacquemyn (BE), Kateřina Komm (CZ), Arne Quinze (BE), Mark Swysen (BE),
Gábor Miklós Szőke (HU), Koenraad Tinel (BE), Benedikt Tolar (CZ),
Koen Vanmechelen (BE), Luk Van Soom (BE) & Eelke van Willegen (NL).
Exhibition facts
Sculptura #1
Vernissage: 10.02 - 14:00 > 16:00
Festival opening hours: 11/02 12/03/2023
11:00 - 18:00
Gare Maritime
Rue Picard 7 - 11
1000 Brussels
