In addition to in-house exhibitions, Z33 House for Contemporary Art has initiated art projects in public space in various locations in the Belgian Limburg region.
Established in 2011, Z33 House for Contemporary Art’s public art program ‘Pit – Art in Public Space’ engages art in a dialogue with its environment, and reveals stories that are not always immediately visible.
The artworks in the landscape challenge visitors and passers-by see the surrounding environment from a different perspective. Some of the artworks are permanent, some for a shorter period of time, and can be visited in the Borgloon-Heers region the best by a car, bicycle or by foot. The program also includes workshops, public events and other activities.
→ Z33 House for Contemporary Art: pit – Art in Public Space
PROJECTS
Gijs Van Vaerenbergh: Reading Between the Lines (2011-permanent)
Architect duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh’s (B) see-through church ‘Reading Between the Lines’ in Borgloon is a 10-metre-high structure that weighs 30 tons. It is made of 100 stacked layers of steel plates in the shape of a church of Loon. The structure enables seeing the surrounding landscape through the church both from far away and up close; the church is both present and absent in the landscape.
Fred Eerdekens: Twijfelgrens (2011-permanent)
Wooden-like sculpture by Fred Eerdekens (B) appears as a folded line in the landscape; from the right angle, the line forms a word ‘twijfelgrens,’ a ‘doubt border.’ The work continues Eerdekens’ use of language as a medium.
Tadashi Kawamata: Project Burchtheuvel (2011–2017)
Tadashi Kawamata’s (JP) wooden sculptures in the open space can be labeled social constructions, as he lets the local community help build the sculptures. In Borgloon, Kawamata built a wooden sculpture around and on top of Burchtheuvel, a historically significant place. He worked with twenty visual arts, architecture and interior design students, who researched how Burchtheuvel could again play a full-fledged role in the city centre.
Dré Wapenaar: Tranendreef (2011-permanent)
Tear-shaped sculptures by Dré Wapenaar (NL) are hanging from the trees and provide an alternative form of accommodation in Haspengouw. Situated on the border of architecture and sculpture, Wapenaar’s sculptures are often temporarily placed tent structures. Social interaction around the work is of great importance for the artist.
Ardie Van Bommel: Pure Nature (2011-permanent)
Ardie van Bommel (NL) brings a sitting, washing, toilet and barbecue unit to Tradentdreef, at the tree tents by Dré Wapenaar. The units are based on the palettes of fruit chests often seen in the Haspengouw landscape.
Paul Devens: Proximity Effect (2012-permanent)
‘Proximity Effect’ by sound artist Paul Devens (NL) is located at the Servatius church in Groot-Loon. Through speakers and sensors, the site-specific sound installation in the 12th-century church plays a game of tones, sounds of outside recordings, acoustics, echo and space.
Wesley Meuris: Memento (2012–permanent)
‘Memento,’ a sculpture by Wesley Meuris (B) at the Central Burial of Borgloon, is an anchor point in the sloping landscape. The architectural structure of the work provides an experience of looking and dwelling. The experience of intimacy reflects the memory of the sculpture’s surroundings. The sculpture is initiated by De Nieuwe Opdrachtgevers.
Aeneas Wilder: Untitled #158 (2012–permanent)
Aeneas Wilder (UK) builds an architectural structure in the landscape near the Monastery of Colen in Kerniel. The round construction with a magnificent 360-degrees view is aligned with uniform vertical wooden slats. According to the artist, the work functions as a lens where the visitor can focus his thoughts and emotions with the landscape of Kerniel as a background.