Mons 2015 on tour

Mons 2015
on tour
18 cities and territories
22 cultural
partners
PRESS KIT
MONS 2015
EUROPE AN CAPITAL
OF CULTURE
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
2
01h40
OOSTENDE
02h30
ANTWERPEN
BRUGGE
02h00
01h30
GENT
01h25
MECHELEN
01h30
KORTRIJK
45min
BRUXELLES / BRUSSEL(S)
20min
SOIGNIES
01h20
LILLE
WALLONIE PICARDE
20min
LE RŒULX
01h30
LIÈGE
20min
40min
MONS
VALENCIENNES
LA LOUVIÈRE
30min
CHARLEROI
01h00
30min
MAUBEUGE
THUIN
01h00
NAMUR
3
Mons 2015
On Tour
18 partner cities in Belgium and the North of France: a major
territorial development project.
From the beginning of the project, Mons 2015 had the ambition to expand beyond the
borders of Mons: putting a European spotlight on a larger territory to value the cultural
richness of an entire region. In Flanders, Brussels, in Wallonia and northern France, 18 cities
associated themselves with the European Capital of Culture to create a network of artistic
and cultural exchanges nationally and across borders, with special attention to the mobility
of audiences.
18 major partner cities each offer one European-scale cultural project. Each city will defend
its colours within the programme of Mons 2015 by organizing in their hometown at least
one remarkable cultural event worthy of being represented internationally.
In each city cultural operators also share their weight with this great adventure. Theatres,
museums, music venues and art companies are our creative partners to relay our enthusiasm to the public.
For several years, we have been working to bring together all of these actors around a
common dynamic, creating artistic networking opportunities and concrete collaborations,
from town to town, already largely beyond the Mons territory. The aim is to carefully savour
the specific socio-cultural features of each one of its direct or potential partners, while
embarking upon a long-term relationship with them, an alliance whose meaning is invested
in an extended and consolidated regional and cross-border network that hopefully will
continue long after 2015.
The House of Partner Cities "Home on Tour" opens in Mons on 24 January 2015. It will be
the gathering place for the crossover projects of Mons 2015 on tour, the "home" or “epicentre” in Mons for these new territorial dynamics.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
4
^
Vincent van Gogh
Peasant woman lifting potatoes, 1885
Oil on canvas maroufalged on wood, 30 x 38 cm
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp
© Picture: Lukas-Art in Flanders vzw, picture by Hugo Maertens
5
ANTWERPEN
“THE MAN, THE DRAGON AND DEATH.
THE GLORY OF ST. GEORGE.”
EXHIBITION
MAC'S - SITE DU GRAND HORNU
18:10 > 01.17.2015
www.mons2015.eu
The collaboration with the Antwerp art institutions
goes even further. Two other Mons 2015 projects will
even be seen both in Antwerp and Mons :
D’ENTRE EUX
CÉDRIC GERBEHAYE
EXHIBITION
The city of Rubens, diamonds, fashion,
the Scheldt, the world port… Antwerp is a bustling
metropolis, a warm and welcoming city with many
green and relaxing spots. Antwerp is also a real cultural hub, which is proud of its artists and architecture.
VAN GOGH IN THE BORINAGE:
THE BIRTH OF AN ARTIST
EXHIBITION MONS – BAM
24.01.2015 > 17.05.2015
www.mons2015.eu
The Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) contains many
true treasures. Mons 2015 is happy to borrow a precious painting by Van Gogh, The potato eaters, for the
opening exhibition of the Cultural Capital of Europe :
Van Gogh in the Borinage.
At the end of 2014 Manfred Sellink was appointed
director of the KMSKA, from his previous position as
director of the Bruges museums he is co-curator of
the exhibition “The man, the dragon and death.
The glory of St. George.”
Many images from major European collections, as
well as many references in the folk traditions to this
day are an intangible heritage, are covered in this
exhibition. Four contemporary artists were invited
to show how this myth to this day retains its full
significance : David Claerbout, Giuseppe Penone,
Luc Tuymans and Angel Vergara Santiago.
ANTWERPEN – FOTOMUSEUM
26.06.2015 > 04.10.2015
www.fotomuseum.be
MONS - SALLE SAINT-GEORGES
07.11.2015 > 03.01.2016
www.mons2015.eu
Through photographic research and collaborative
encounters with the partner cities of the Mons 2015
Foundation, Cédric Gerbehaye, documentary photographer specialized in the Congo and the Middle
East, and member of the agency VU’, plans on this
occasion to explore Belgium from the viewpoint
of everyday reality.
LES PASSIONS HUMAINES
GUY CASSIERS
THEATRE
MONS – THÉÂTRE LE MANÈGE
20.04.15 > 23.04.15
BRUXELLES - NATIONAL THEATRE
01.05.15 > 09.05.2015
ANTWERPEN - BOURLASCHOUWBURG
13.05.2015 > 23.05.2015
www.toneelhuis.be
In the late 19th century, the "scandalous" sensuality
of the Passions humaines by Jef Lambeaux shocked
Belgium's royal family and the Church. The King
ended up censoring the impressive bas-relief by the
young sculptor, who also sculpted the Brabo Fountain
in front of Antwerp's town hall. However, other factors
were involved: artistic rivalry with the flamboyant
architect Victor Horta, political skulduggery between
Belgium's Catholic old guard and the Saudi sheiks,
plots and deceptions, devious art critics and prostitutes. So this is what is also revealed by bringing the
work to light again thanks to the restoration of the
Horta Temple, where the work was concealed in the
Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels. The leading Flemish
director Guy Cassiers even made it the main heroine
of an authentic Belgian docudrama! With a text by
Erwin Mortier, new technologies, the visual arts and
theatre are combined to produce an exceptional
bilingual creation.
A production of the Toneelhuis in coproduction with Théâtre National
(Brussels), Foundation Mons 2015, le manège.mons, the City of
Antwerp.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
6
^Uitwijken
© All rigthts reserved
7
BRUGES
Bruges is a city that touches people’s hearts.
Although small and cosy, it never ceases to amaze
its visitors. Bruges is also filled with history and
recognized as a World Heritage City by Unesco. Once
a leading metropolis, this mysterious medieval city
has now gained a reputation as a leading gastronomic centre. Having been Cultural Capital of Europe
in 2002, the city continues its efforts in the field of
culture and arts, thus confirming its strong tradition. As a result, you will find a great range of both
contemporary and historical art here.
UITWIJKEN
FESTIVAL BRUGGE
05.09.2015 > 27.09.2015
CONTACTS
Brugge Plus vzw (Marec Zeghers
and Filip Strobbe) and Stad Brugge
(Steven Slos)
050/44.20.02
[email protected]
www.bruggeplus.be
FESTIVAL MONS
MAY AND OCTOBRE
www.uitwijken.be
As partner city, Bruges opted for a collaboration
between Uitwijken and Le Grand 8. Uitwijken is a travelling project aiming at cultural diversity, cultural participation and community building. We try to achieve
this aim by bringing high quality culture to various
neighbourhoods and city quarters. All our activities
speak of our cultural diversity, community building,
participation and accessibility. That is why this project
literally travels to its potential audience.
Uitwijken is a travelling project, a caravan of five
unique old-timer cars where each has a different
function. In its complete setup, Uitwijken consists of a
stage car, a technique car, a bar car with a separate
cold store, a workshop car and a library car. The cars
are placed in a circle so as to create a cozy inner
place or ring permeated for half by open spaces
between the cars so as to give access to the ring.
In and around the ring, a varied cultural programme
is offered.
In Mons :
@ Home On Tour
29.07.2015 > 16.08.2015
The caravan also has a whole range of logistic
equipment at its disposal, e.g. a number of shelters
and tents, a generator, benches, a tool box, sound
equipment. Uitwijken has a permanent team with
a host, a technician, a bartender etc.
The caravan goes on tour several times a year.
It travels to various neighbourhoods – just like
circuses used to do – and stops at predetermined
locations. These locations are always stretches of
grass or greens, situated near people’s houses so
as to appear popping up, figuratively, in their own
backyards.
Le Grand 8 is a perfect partner for Uitwijken.
The Uitwijken caravan will stop at 2 locations.
In 2015, Mons will be European Capital of Culture :
a once-in-a-lifetime event that will change the city
and region forever. An adventure in which all citizens
are invited to participate, whatever their wishes,
motivation and availability. For within the packed
programme on a European scale that has been
put together and refined over the last few months,
some entry points on a very human scale have
been devised: projects that can be experienced and
invented together, with all the inhabitants of the Mons
region.
Thus the Great Eight consists of eight weeks of
festivities in eight territories in the Greater Mons
region, organized around a different main theme
each time. A big top, a ball, a banquet, artists’ routes,
the rediscovery of the hidden history and mysterious
legends of the 19 municipalities of Greater Mons:
all these events will showcase the local heritage, the
public buildings, streets and rivers, and the forgotten
legends. The emphasis will be on travelling on foot,
by bicycle or in a pushchair as you discover (or rediscover) a Greater Mons that has been transformed by
artists and local people.
Since March 2013, the Great Eight projects have
been designed and shaped by nearly 500 people,
meeting weekly. Together they have been devising
the collective and shared events that will make Mons
2015 happen across Greater Mons.
Uitwijken will be present in Mons on two occasions
in 2015: in May and in October.
THE MAN, THE DRAGON AND DEATH.
THE GLORY OF ST. GEORGE
EXHIBITION GRAND-HORNU – MAC’S
18.10.2015 > 17.01.2016
www.mons2015.eu
Bruges and its museums are important partners in
the creation of the exhibition around the patron saint
St. Georges. By setting up an illuminating dialogue
between artworks and their historical context, this
exhibition shows how the iconography of St George
and the dragon has always been a powerful driver
of the European imagination. A selection of works is
on display (including paintings, sculptures, drawings
and illuminated manuscripts) representing the saint
in different forms, and the exhibition examines how
St George and the dragon are identified today with
various battles of humanity against hostile forces, but
also and perhaps above all against humanity itself as
it seeks to define its destiny.
A coproduction of MAC's, The Mons 2015 Foudantion, the Mons City
Museum Network and Musea Brugge.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
8
^
Nuit Blanche 2013 - © Bea Borgers
9
BRUssels
As Belgian and international capital at multiple
levels, the City of Brussels is a truly multilingual, cosmopolitan and eclectic city. Culture is a key ambition
for Brussels. Many cultural centers and cultural events
do permanent efforts to make art accessible and to
break down barriers.
NUIT BLANCHE RENAISSANCE
ART IN THE CITY
ST. CATHERINE DISTRICT - BRUSSELS
03.10.2015 - 19:00 > 05:00
www.nuitblanchebrussels.be
CONTACTS
Contact Nuit Blanche :
Nancy Galant, Coordinator Nuit Blanche
[email protected]
+32 2 279 64 21
Press contact :
Anne-Sophie Van Neste, Coordinator Communication Culture & Media, Culture of the City
of Brussels
[email protected]
+32 2 279 64 02
In Mons:
@ Home On Tour
09.09.2015 > 13.09.2015
Nuit Blanche 2015 will open at the national level the
last season of Mons 2015 with the theme Renaissance.
Nuit Blanche invites everyone to reclaim the city for a
night full of artistic and popular cultural events.
A night to collect, share unusual and contemporary
creations in a warm and festive atmosphere that is
conducive to discovery and experimentation. Installations, multimedia projections, the most surprising
performances and interactive performances take you
through the night until the wee hours.
The concept started in the city of Paris in 2002, and
to this day, ten European cities (Madrid, Amsterdam,
Riga,…) have followed the French footprints and
started organizing White Nights. Nuit Blanche has
been animating the streets of the capital city since
2003 and has built a European reputation over the
years.
Supported by the City of Brussels and taking place
every first Saturday of October, Nuit Blanche seizes
control of the public space and of dozens of places
in the capital for contemporary creations : shop windows, schools, parks, churches, stations, fountains,
streets and squares are transformed into so many
artistic laboratories.
Nuit Blanche thereby sheds a new light on familiar
places and also invites usually inaccessible locations
to discover, through a range of interventions that are
prepared in close cooperation with the sites.
The purpose of the event is to see to give the public
the opportunity Brussels in a different way, to interrogate the city and encourage new forms of art.
Every year nearly 100,000 night owls flock to the
centre of Brussels to enjoy new experiences.
The 2015 edition will take place on Saturday October
the 3rd, from 7 pm to 5 am in the heart of Brussels,
near the Saint Catherine square and street that both
show signs of the past use of the area as a harbour.
In resonance with the last season of Mons 2015,
the theme of the 13th NUIT BLANCHE will be the
"Renaissance". The theme will echo the city’s motto :
to be constantly reinventing itself.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
10
^
Quai 10 on Fire - © Dirty Monitor
11
CHARLEROI
With a population of more than 200,000,
Charleroi, the birthplace of many industries and innovations, is a vital cultural centre. Culture, a real lever,
combined with the urban and economic changes,
creates the City of Tomorrow. And this is the city we
wish everyone to discover…
AND ALSO IN CHARLEROI,
THREE CULTURAL PARTNER
INSTITUTIONS OF MONS 2015
What better occasion than the consecration
of Mons as European Capital of Culture for 2015 ?
Charleroi has decided to jump on the bandwagon
and to become Mons 2015's partner city and join in
on the Mons excitement !
UPSIDE DOWN WORLD
EXHIBITION B.P.S.22 - CHARLEROI
26.09.2015 > 31.01.2016
www.bps22.hainaut.be
QUAI 10 ON FIRE !
Exhibition The Inverted World invites international artists for an encounter between contemporary art and popular culture for the general
public.
ART IN THE STREET
QUAIS DE LA SAMBRE AND QUAI 10 – CHARLEROI
04.09.2015>06.09.2015
www.ancre.be
CONTACTS
Press contact
Quai 10 on Fire!
Noémi Haelterman :
Press management - L’Ancre
+32 (0) 71/314 079
+32 (0)473 78 00 67
[email protected]
City of Charleroi
Marie-Isabelle Gomez Calvo
Press officer
+32 (0)71 86 10 92
+32 (0)474 78 65 93
[email protected]
From 4 to 6 September you can discover that new
city of Charleroi with "Quai 10 on Fire !" The Banks
of the river Sambre will be alive with extraordinary
events. Come and celebrate the opening of Quai
10, a temple dedicated to cinema and gaming, and
attend Smoke on the black water, an evening in
honour of the Charleroi designers, the new generation of artists who take the city to the top ! On the
programme, the concerts of Mochélan and Mélanie
De Biasio, a visual show in 3D by Dirty Monitor and a
line-up of the Rockerill, the mecca for electro music,
all staged by L’Ancre, a creative theatre in Charleroi.
During the day, the events focus on families with films
for young publics, prepremières, animations…
But before that, we will take Charleroi's excitement to
Mons with the Home On Tour ! Concerts, exhibitions,
workshops, tasting sessions… From Thursday 24
June, Charleroi will set up quarters here with the City
of Thuin and it will be unlike anything else...
An event of the City of Charleroi, organised by L’Ancre
in partnership with Quai 10, Dirty Monitor, the Rockerill and Charleroi City Centre.
An event by the City of Charleroi, organized by L'Ancre in partnership
with Quai 10, Dirty Monitor and Charleroi City Centre.
CHARLEROI-DANCE
EUROPEAN BIENNIAL CROSSROADS
MONS-CHARLEROI-BRUXELLES
01.10.2015 > 11.10.15
www.charleroi-danses.be
Move Your Body. An exciting program shows
the many faces of Belgian and foreign choreography.
MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
STEPHAN VANFLETEREN : CHARLEROI
EXHIBITION Charleroi
23.05.2015 > 06.12.2015
www.museephoto.be
A portrait of Charleroi by Belgian photographer
Stefan Vanfleteren.
MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
IN/OUT. PHOTOGRAPHIC MISSION
EXHIBITION Charleroi
23.05.2015 > 06.12.2015
www.museephoto.be
A photographic look at the urban changes,
landscape and architecture of Mons.
IN Mons
@ Home On Tour
with the city of Thuin :
24.06.2015 > 12.07.2015
+ 24.08.2015 > 30.08.15
Mons 2015
DOSSIER DE PRESSE
^
Lichtfestival © Gent
12
13
GENT
GHENT, SPARKLING AUTHENTIC
Ghent offers the unique combination of a glorious
past with a lively present and invites you to discover
its many monuments and museums. Here beats the
young heart of a sparkling city full of culture, arts,
events and, most certainly just as important, countless cosy pubs and original restaurants.
GHENT, LIGHT FESTIVAL
ART IN THE STREET GHENT, HISTORICAL CENTER
29.01.2015 > 01.02.2015
www.lichtfestival.be
The historical centre and the arts quarter of Ghent
will be set ablaze during the Light Festival from 29
January until 1 February, daily from 6pm until midnight. This will be the third year for Ghent to be clad
in countless lights.
The programme offers all kinds of light sculptures,
spectacular projections and installations by contemporary artists of both national and international stature. Students will demonstrate experiments with light
and Ghent University will set up an interactive route
with scientific light installations in its UFO building.
Enjoy the walk and experience the surprising variety
of light creations.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Office of Annelies Storms – Alderwoman in
charge of Culture, Tourism and Events
Tinne Op De Beeck
Tel. 00329 266 51 40
www.gent.be
Deputy Major for Culture, Tourism and Events Annelies Storms : “My ambition is to bring more art and
culture in the streets, not only in summer but also in
winter. Several light sculptures, spectacular projections
and installations will amaze the visitors of our Light
Festival”. 44 artists participate in this unforgettable
and free event. Be prepared for some surprising
discoveries.
But in 2015 not only in Ghent but also in Mons, a top
event will illuminate the city. The artists collective Dirty
Monitor from Charleroi will present their work during
the Ghent Light Festival as well as for the opening
event of Mons 2015 on January 24th at Carré des Arts.
In Ghent, they will transform the Saint-Peter’s square
into an impressive video projection and an exciting
story about history and future.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
avec 1.2.3 piano
06.05.2015 > 17.05.2015
GHENT, CITY OF MUSIC
L’AUTRE HIVER
THEATRE
MONS (THÉÂTRE LE MANÈGE)
07.01.2015 > 10.05.2015
ANTWERP (DESINGEL)
15.05.2015 > 16.05.2015
GHENT (OPERA VLAANDEREN)
21.05.2015
www.lod.be
In 2009 Ghent was awarded the title of UNESCO
Creative City of Music. During Mons 2015 Ghent will
also present itself as a city of music.
The renowned Ghent music theatre company LOD
and the Mons arts centre Le Manège will bring the
world première of L’autre hiver (The Other Winter).
L’autre hiver is the new opera by Ghent composer Dominique Pauwels on a libretto by Normand
Chaurette, directed by Denis Marleau and Stéphanie
Jasmin (UBU Montréal).
L’autre hiver is a contemporary opera performed by
two singers, six musicians of Musiques Nouvelles, a
children’s choir and a women’s choir.
L’autre hiver is the story of the turbulent relation
between the poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine,
ending with a gunshot for which Verlaine was sentenced to jail in…Mons.
A production of Mons 2015 European Capital of Culture,
le manège.mons and UBU creative company / Co-produced with
deSingel Anvers, The Théâtres de la Ville of Luxembourg, Le Parvis
scène nationale Tarbes Pyrénées, Maison de la Culture d’Amiens,
Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles, Théâtre français du Centre National
des Arts Ottowa, Festival Printemps des Comédiens Montpellier et
Fundaçao Calouste Gulbenkian / With the support of the City of Ghent,
le Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, le Conseil des Arts du
Canada. / With the support of Enoa. / This project was financed with the
support of yje European Commission. The author of this publication
(communication) is the sole responsible and the Commission is cannot
be accounted for the use that might be made of the information herein
contained.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
14
^
© Droits réservés
15
KORTRIJK
Kortrijk is a creative and enterprising city with
lots of young talent on the spot. Visitors are irresistibly attracted to the river Lys. In the historical part of
the city, you will find the Broeltorens, the ancient city
tough guards, Texture, the museum of Flax & Lys and
a base for walkers and cyclists. The Budafabriek is
a cradle of creative manufacturing economy in the
region. Kortrijk also hosts the Biennial Interieur, one of
the most innovative design fairs in the world.
THE LURE OF THE LYS
PARTY ON THE RIVER LYS
FESTIVAL
BORDS DE LA LYS, COURTRAI ET RÉGION
23.05.2015 > 27.09.2015
www.degroteverleieding.be
CONTACTS
Press contact
Roos Desmet
+32(0)56 27 74 13
+32 (0)498 90 91 21
[email protected]
KORTRIJK 2015 AND MONS: METAMORPHOSIS
Kortrijk exists thanks to the river Lys. Since 1995, the
river has been widened and 6 new attractive bridges
were built. The result is a metamorphosis of the city in
a beautiful combination of architecture and innovative
landscaping, accompanied by sanctuaries for catering, meeting, sports and culture. In the coming years,
other Lys municipalities will also regain their contact
with the river.
Metamorphoses XL gives residents and visitors an
insight into the historical and future developments
in the Lys : urban, green, industry and Change,
recreation,… In 2015, you discover both in Mons
and Kortrijk striking historic sites and inspiring future
projects.
THE LURE OF THE LYS
Time for a summer party, at the borders of the river
from May 23rd to September 27th to celebrate the
new facilities by the waterside after the works that
already started in 1995. Discover new spaces for
sports, culture and gastronomy.
HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING SHOW
BORDERS OF THE LYS IN KORTRIJK
23.05.2015
Show with a boat parade, a giant parade and a
masterly farewell to one of the oldest tower buildings
in the city. Musicians lead in the finals with a burning
boat as an ode to the river.
FLUX.
BROEL 6 and its environment.
23.05.2015 > 27.09.2015
10 international artists interact with the river and the
landscape in 10 stunning installations.
BLUE LINE DISTRICT.
BUDAFABRIEK.
10.09.2015 > END OF NOVEMBER
An exhibition on the challenges for water in
households, in industry, in the world.
FINAL CONCERT.
ALBERTPARK
25.09.2015
OPENING OF lille3000 RENAISSANCE
26.09.2015
Passing of the torch (by freight boat transfer) between
Kortrijk and Lille for the opening of the Lille 3000
Renaissance Festival 2015.
AT THE RIVER:
During ten picnics spread across the Lys Valley from
Armentieres to Wielsbeke, local products will be
presented on exquisite locations with live animation.
Ten races. Ten nature walks. Ten cruises. Ten reasons
for cooperation, all over the Lys Valley.
PARTNERS : Kortrijk, NV Waterwegen and Zeekanaal, Province of West
Flanders, Leiedal Westtoer, Tourism Lys, Southwest, Voka, Lille Métropole, Lys sans frontières, Eurometropole Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai, Culture.
Wapi and the municipalities located along the river Lys.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
with the Walonie Picarde :
11.04.2015 > 12.04.2015
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
16
^
Décrocher La Lune © Vincent Dufrane
17
LA LOUVIèRE
The City of the Wolves is just a short distance
away from its neighbour, Mons. Its heritage is recognised all over the world : it also boasts major cultural
centres. These are the assets which led to La Louvière being designated “Cultural Metropolis” in 2012.
La Louvière is richly represented in the programme for Mons 2015 ! The urban opera “Décrocher
la Lune (Unhook the Moon)” is the project that sealed
the partnership between the two cities, and the
veritable spearhead of a policy of participative citizen
culture. The other aspect of this complicity with La
Louvière can be seen in the museum and heritage
institutions.
UNHOOK THE MOON
ART IN THE STREET LA LOUVIÈRE - TOWN CENTRE
26.09.2015
www.decrocherlalune.eu
“Décrocher la Lune” is a living fresco that lights up
the town. Circus, dance, theatre, music, breathtaking
decors : as many ingredients as any fully-fledged
show. It’s also a story of the love affair between La
Louvière and Sancho Gilles, the giant who carries
with him the whole history of the townsfolk and wins
the heart of La Louvière, represented by the inaccessible lunar object, and in so doing demonstrates us
all that anything is possible !
CONTACTS
Press contact
Maud Lombardo
Tel : ++32 64 26 15 00
E-mail : [email protected]
Maison du Tourisme
Place Mansart 21/22 – 7100 LA LOUVIERE
Tel : +32 64 26 15 00
E-mail : [email protected]
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
20.05.2015 > 07.06.2015
HOMO FABER. WORKER POETS
AND MECHANICS
EXHIBITION THE ECOMUSÉE ON THE BOIS-DU-LUC
01.05.2015 > 30.09.15
www.ecomuseeboisduluc.be
FRANÇOIS SCHUITEN : LIGHTS ON THE CITIES
EXHIBITION
THE CENTRE OF ENGRAVING
AND THE PRINTED IMAGE
02.10.2015 > 10.01.2016
www.centredelagravure.be
This exhibition will plunge the visitor into a world of
ghostly images that come into view and disappear
again in an interplay of light and shade. The images
only reveal themselves if the visitor waits nearby to
see mysterious phenomena or unexplored passages.
LUC TUYMANS: SUSPENDED
EXHIBITION
THE CENTRE OF ENGRAVING
AND THE PRINTED IMAGE
07.02.2015 > 10.05.2015
Although the paintings of Luc Tuymans are world
famous, the artist continues his graphic oeuvre, an
oeuvre that undeservedly enjoys little recognition.
And yet, Luc Tuymans has since the end of the 80s
dedicated himself with a passion to the exploration of
the Engraving. Assisted by master printers, the artist
has developed an almost insatiable curiosity about
the possibilities of all the different techniques.
THROWING LIGHT ON THE SHADOW
FROM CECILE DOUARD TO BETTINA RHEIM
EXHIBITION MUSÉE IANCHELEVICI
10.10.2015 > 17.01.2016
www.ianchelevici.be
The exhibition is a mix of heritage, multisensory experience and contemporary art. A set design inspired by
the relationship with light leads the visitor into darkened rooms to experience the darkness and explore
objects by the sense of touch. The visit also tackles
the problem of blindness in the plastic arts.
The figure of Vincent Van Gogh is the starting point
of the exhibition, which uncovers the links between
art and industry from the 19th century until modern
times, as well as showing how artists from all disciplines dug into the mine as a source of inspiration.
04.09.2015 > 10.10.2015
www.festival5sur5.be
ON FIRE: THE ART AND SYMBOLISM OF FIRE
EXHIBITION THE KERAMIS CERAMICS CENTRE
09.05.2015 > 13.09.2015
www.keramis.be
A building in La Louvière is the venue, for a duration
of 5 weeks, for 5 young European filmmakers, each of
which is given the means to make a 10-minute film.
A way of rediscovering urban reality through the eyes
of strangers. The festival also offers a documentary
panorama.
A unique site for exhibitions and artistic residencies has
been added to the Belgian cultural landscape: the Keramis Centre for Ceramics. On the historic site of the Boch
earthenware factory, the art centre opens its doors with
On fire, a contemporary art exhibition dedicated to fire:
an essential factor in ceramics and a powerful symbol of
our collective imagination.
THE 5 ON 5 FESTIVAL
CINEMA
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
18
^
Clouds
«Temps couvert », 2010 (photograph). Copyright Perrine Lievens.
19
LE ROEULX
Situated at only 15 km from Mons, the green
countryside of Le Roeulx offers a variety of hiking
options. Known for its Hot Air Balloon Meeting and
its Royal New Roses Contest, the city also possesses
many tourist attractions: the castle, a brewery, the
boat lift (UNESCO).
CLOUDS
EXHIBITION CHÂTEAU DU ROEULX
21.05.2015 > 18.10.2015
[email protected]
Clouds are fantastical dream machines – wondrous
and magical, and in touch with infinity.
CONTACTS
Press Contacts
Communication :
Evelyn Gessler, Decider’s.
Mobile +32 (0) 475 23 53 92
E-mail [email protected]
Joëlle Lockman, Decider’s.
Mobile +32 (0) 475 52 82 08
E-mail [email protected]
Uniting opposites and extremes, luxuriant, inexhaustible and ever changing, they are an ideal metaphor
for living creatures. In the prestigious and historic
setting of the castle of the Princes of Croÿ at Roeulx,
the Croÿ-Roeulx Foundation presents a major artistic
event, an exhibition on the most human of celestial
bodies as seen by modern and contemporary artists.
In this fresh approach to the subject, a kind of ‘cloud
horticulture’ is practised, in keeping with the spirit of
the place – the Castle, Orangery and gardens.
Some thirty artists – from Jean Arp to René Magritte,
from Man Ray to Jaume Plensa, from Robert Therrien
to Michel François – using photographs, paintings,
videos, sculptures and installations, will feature in this
discovery walk at Château du Roeulx, which will be
open especially for this event.
Scientific curator: Michèle Moutashar, former Head of Heritage Protection (Museums of France)
Production coordinator : Sophie Chartier, Director of SoChart International.
A project of the Croÿ-Roeulx Foundation in co-production with the City
of Roeulx and the Mons 2015 Foundation.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
20
21
LIeGE
LIKE A BURNING CITY !
FABRICE MURGIA
THEATRE / ART IN THE STREET
PLACE SAINT-LAMBERT – LIÈGE
19.09.2015
www.provincedeliège.be
With just over one million inhabitants, the
province of Liège is located at the heart of Europe,
where the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg
meet with Belgium.
Its rich heritage and diversity of tourist services offer
an interestingly rich variety of places to visit ! The
High Fens, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Spa and
Spa-Francorchamps, fifty sites and attractions that
welcome visitors !
Liege Province cultivates the art of celebration,
traditions and folklore. It is undoubtedly a country of
culture. An unexpected destination to discover…
The province of Liège is a partner city by two major
events featured in the official programme of Mons in
2015.
The second cultural event is an original creation by
Fabrice Murgia. This Belgian film director and author
enjoyed significant moments of success on the largest international scenes : he was awarded the Silver
Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2014 and was invited
to the Avignon Festival in 2014.
In the heart of the city of Liege, he invites us to a
poetic and festive spectacle that pays tribute to
many artists who come from this creative area. He
surrounds himself with a collective of artists from the
region to present an homage to the rich character
that typifies the identity of Liege, seen as a county of
contrasts, ever inflexible and atypical.
In the spirit of popular dance and modern brass
bands, urban art meets the ancestral tradition :
traditional puppets, Blancs Moussis, pop music,
local crafts and acrobats illustrate the great diversity
of talents from the region. Fabrice Murgia coordinates these individual artists to shape the province
in contemporary forms and languages. A quality
spectacle that is an invitation to party together. It
promises to be a fiery event September 19 Place
Saint-Lambert !
RECIPROCITY
EXHIBITION
01.10.2015 > 01.11.2015
www.designliege.be
CONTACTS
Press Contact
Gaelle Daerden
Communication Officer at the Office
of Paul-Emile Mottard, Provincial Deputy for
Culture and Tourism of the Province of Liège
[email protected]
0032(0)478/61.21.94
À Mons
@ Home On Tour
16.09.2015 > 27.09.2015
RECIPROCITY, the International Triennial for Design
and social innovation, is labelled Mons 2015. On the
initiative of Paul-Emile Mottard, Provincial Commissioner of Culture, the Triennal has been organized since
2002. It will run from October 1 to November 1, 2015.
RECIPROCITY includes twenty exhibitions, debates
and lectures. The latest edition attracted over 40,000
participants. The 2015 edition will focus on food-related issues and expand to the realms of architecture
and graphic design.
This edition will also provide an opportunity to inaugurate the Design Centre close to the Calatrava station.
RECIPROCITY is also one of those many initiatives
that emerged from the creative dynamics triggered by
"Cafe Europe" : the network of fifteen interconnected
cities that webbed around the MONS 2015 project.
The cities are remotely connected through an interactive ‘Europe Wall’ that allows them to share certain
services.
In addition, an exhibition will be held in the House of
Partner Cities for the launch of the Design Triennial in
Liege. Innovation & Readymade offers reflection on the
preservation and enhancement of the both tangible
and intangible heritage, know-how and products, and
to stimulate discussion on new production models.
What role can we play as citizens, designers or students in our environment ? This is the topic that will be
discussed and presented in September in Mons.
Concept: Fabrice Murgia. Coordination visual arts: Emilie Jonet.
Coordination partnerships and communities: Geoffrey Piette.
Musical crew: Dub-Timus Soundsystem.
A project by the City and the Province of Liège in co-production with
The Mons 2015 Foundation.
In partnership with the Compagnie Artara and the Festival de Liège.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
22
^
Renaissance © lille3000
23
LILLE
With more than 226,000 inhabitants, Lille and
the associated municipalities of Hellemmes and
Lomme form the largest city in northern France. It is
the heart of an urban agglomeration of 87 municipalities, right on the border of Belgium, and of the rest of
Northern Europe.
Over the past 25 years, with the appearance of the
Channel Tunnel and the high-speed train network,
the position Lille and its metropolis enjoy in this European environment have changed considerably. The
transformation of the city is best illustrated by creative
hubs such as Euralille and Euratechnologie.
Formerly an industrial city affected by the crisis of the
textile industry, Lille managed to change the heart of
the city, over the course of only a few years, through
the development of tertiary activities and services.
With the event "Lille 2004, European Capital of
Culture" the city strengthened its image and position
in relation to other European cities.
The city continues to pursue this transformation by
developing an ambitious cultural policy.
In this context, Lille obviously decided to join Mons
2015 Cultural Capital of Europe as a partner city. The
city set out to promote artistic collaborations, such
as the World visiting Lille presence in Home on Tour,
and the lille 3000 Renaissance event.
CONTACTS
Press Contacts
Olivier Célarié
[email protected]
Vanessa Duret
[email protected]
+33(0)3 28 52 30 00
www.lille.fr
www.lille3000.com
RENAISSANCE
LILLE 3000
EXHIBITION LILLE + EUROMÉTROPOLE
26.09.2015 > 17.01.2016
www.renaissance-lille.com
After Bombaysers, Lille Europe XXL and Fantastic, dive for 4 months in the heart of cities in full
RENAISSANCE ! Openness to the world, artistic and
technological exchanges, renaissance, the lille3000
grand project is aimed at showcasing the vitality of
the world today.
Parades, major exhibitions, urban metamorphoses
at Tripostal (Gare Saint Sauveur) and many cultural
partner sites such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts in
Lille and Maisons Folies, link up with current Renaissance cities - Rio, Los Angeles or Detroit - via Do
It Yourself, lighting, design, food, debates and new
events…
RENAISSANCE will work at the Euro Metropolitan
level and will join the fourth season of Mons 2015
European Capital of Culture : "Renaissance and
Revolution"
Sixteenth-century Renaissance in Europe is characterized by an intellectual and artistic revival in all the
areas related to the development of trade. The early
twenty-first century is just as turbulent a time in that
it witnesses the progressive emergence of a new
world with new global balances, an acceleration of
inventions and innovations spread in real time (via
the Internet) and new ways of thinking about the
world and its weaknesses, news ways of building the
cities and metropolises of the future. This massive
transformation is accompanied by a multitude of
artistic and intellectual movements and new forms
of art and expression (new materials, new ways of
designing work, hybridization, collective and shared
systems, inventive participatory methods of production, green(er) installations, the recycling of ideas
and materials, digital works, dematerialization of the
media, civil applications…).
RENAISSANCE will try to sum up this momentum.
Artists and experiences from the globe, European,
French, citizens of the European metropolises and
from Lille will come and meet the audience in
friendship.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
02.09.2015 > 06.09.2015
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
24
^
Festival International VIA © Hiroaki Umeda
25
MAUBEUGE
Maubeuge maintains very close relationships
with Mons. Historically this connection was strengthened by the creation of the first cross-platform in
Europe, founded in 1990 : The Arsenal. A common
programme seeks to make culture accessible to all
and to bring people from both sides of the border
together.
ARSENAL, BORDER THEATER MAUBEUGE-MONS
www.lemanege.com
The Arsenal and the city Maubeuge offer cross-programming projects in Mons, including The World Visit.
Three major events underline the season 1 of projects
in and out of Maubeuge :
OLÉ
FESTIVAL MAUBEUGE
28.01.2015 > 31.01.2015
The Spanish city colours with their famous dotted
dresses and scarves for a "Noche Flamenca", full of
emotion, energy and fun !
Transformed into a giant arena, Maubeuge resonates
with the sound of Spanish music and the scent of
sangria. The bars are now bodegas, restaurants have
turned into tapas bars and the public is invited to
dance to the rhythm of flamenco.
Do not miss the world premiere of Andres Marin,
Kader Attou and the Rajasthan Indians on 28 and 29
January. Yatra is an encounter, a journey to the frontiers of flamenco and the sounds of Northern India.
CONTACTS
Press Contact
Barbara Lerbut
[email protected]
+33 (0)3.27.65.93.83.
www.lemanege.com
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
11.11.2015 > 22.11.2015
BRITISH KITSCH
FESTIVAL MAUBEUGE
18.02.2015 > 22.02.2015
In collaboration with the World visiting LONDON
Mons 2015.
A crazy bus ride will take you from Mons to the last
show of the avant-garde artist Michael Clark from
London. This will mark the starting point of the journey into the streets of London.
Get into the world of this rock choreographer with ballerinas on spikes and flashy futuristic second-skins.
With make-up and pop hairstyles, presenting trash
improvisations, Keith Khan will be the guest of a
cabaret at the Manege, one that will leave lasting
memories.
In the heart of the district Joyeuse, the ExCentric collective will share with the public their universe stam-
ped with the colours of the Union Jack and the sound
of God Save The Queen… Art Market, happenings,
Pop Up, pure Camden Street atmosphere.
FESTIVAL VIA
FESTIVAL MAUBEUGE AND MONS
12.03.2015 > 25.03.2015
VIA, the iconic festival and engine of the relationship
Maubeuge-Mons, will be the cross-border event
of 2015, thereby positioning itself as one of the
highlights of Season 1 of the official programme of
the European Capital of Culture. For almost 30 years,
the VIA Festival has been flirting with the limits of
artistic fields, at the intersection of art, technology
and digital creation. Increasingly international and
interdisciplinary, the VIA Festival is the best embodiment of the vitality of the contemporary stage of both
Maubeuge and Mons.
The exhibition "Home theater" at Espace Sculfort
sees thirty contemporary artists present their vision
for the future of the 7th art and explore new film
practices.
On the theatre side, this edition offers a wide-embracing international programme that contains three
exceptional productions from Manège Maubeuge.
These productions are part of the official programme
of Mons 2015 and include the French premiere of the
latest creation by Fura dels Baus "M.U.R.S", the latest
performance of Sophie Perez called "Biopigs" and the
latest performance by Japanese artist Hiroaki Umeda.
In 2015, the Manège will also launch its Café Europa
Art project. Inspired by the tradition of cafés as
symbolic places of social diversity, this "cafe" explores
social virtues and the latest means of communication
under the theme of "connectivity".
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
26
^
All rights reserved
27
MECHELEn
Located in the midst of Flanders, Mechelen is
a city on a human scale. Here, you can find a variety
of monuments, culture, beautiful houses by the water
mixed with trendy shops, restaurants and bars. The
inhabitants of Mechelen are called the "Maneblussers", which literally means Moon extinguishers. They
speak with affection of their beautiful city with the
Saint-Rombouts tower at the heart of their pride.
ORLANDO DI LASSO FROM CHURCH TO BAR !
During the Renaissance, composers wrote many
popular songs that sing of love, lust, infidelity and
drunkenness. Zefiro Torna takes you on a "Lassus pub
crawl" past the city’s cafés and bars. Accompanied by
a vocal ensemble, they bring scabrous French chansons, Italian villanelles and German drinking songs
from the repertoire of Orlandus Lassus.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Aurélie Walschaert
+32 (0)15 29 42 79
[email protected]
Lien Puttemans
+32 (0)15 26 23 41
[email protected]
Besides this bold program, you will be offered some
"serious" musical performances as well. The program
features, among others, a solo performance of lutenist
Jurgen De bruyn and an exceptional concert featuring
the works of Orlando di Lasso and Philippe de Monte
in light of the Festival of Flanders.
LASSUS PUB CRAWL
ALCHEMY AND METAMORPHOSIS
JURGEN DE BRUYN, LUTHISTE
MUSIC Mons - Arsonic
08.10.2015
www.zefirotorna.be
Minstrel of the 21st century, Jurgen De Bruyn plays
some of the vocal masterpieces of Orlandus Lassus,
French chansons, madrigals and psalms, already
arranged to meet the specificies of the lute durinh his
lifetime while he was enjoying fame for his pieces.
Meet us half-way between charm and spells.
MUSIC
MECHELEN
20.09.2015
Vocal ensemble Viermaliks
MONS
10 and 11.10.15
vocal ensemble Mezza Voce
www.zefirotorna.be
Did you know? Renaissance polyphonic music composers did not dedicate themselves to serious music
solely. They more than tried their hand at a very popular genre, bringing often ambiguous texts to music,
thereby addressing topics like lust, desire, infidelity,
drunkenness and some grotesque stories...
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
30.09.2015 > 11.10.2015
Zefiro Torna, the vocal ensemble of ancient music of
Mechelen, will take you on a "Lassus Pub crawl". A
joyous mascarade through bars and breweries of the
city is going to invite you to tag along. Expect classic
French chansons of Orlando di Lassi, Italian villanelles
and Greman bawdy popular songs all along the way.
LASSUS, PRINCE OF MUSICIANS:
FROM SUSANNE TO MARIE
CHŒUR DE CHAMBRE DE NAMUR & CAPPELLA
MEDITERRANEA
MUSIC
MALINES - SINT-KATELIJNEKERK
03.10.2015
MONS - EGLISE SAINT-NICOLAS
07.10.2015
www.musica-divina.be
As chapel master at the court of Bavaria in Germany,
Orlando di Lasso from Mons wrote masses from profane inspiration and striking motets with extraordinary
vocal and instrumental harmonies.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
28
^
Facing Time © François-Eugène Burney, Portrait of Félicien Rops, 1887, engraving,
private collection - Stephan Vanfleteren, Portrait of Jan Fabre, 2012,
Picture © Angelos bvba - Vanfletern
29
During this exhibition, Bernard-Henri Lévy, author of
the novel Les Derniers jours de Charles Baudelaire
[The Last Days of Charles Baudelaire] (Grasset,
1988), is going to decipher, from a philosophical
perspective, the Baudelairean visions in the works of
both artists.
NAMUR
Capital of Wallonia, Namur is partnering with
the cultural dynamics of Mons 2015. This partnership
focuses on 2 important projects. In Namur, the exhibition Rops-Fabre "Facing time" is to be seen in the
town, the museums, as well as at the Royal Theater
from March to August. Another flagship project,
the integral of "Tragedies de Sophocle" by Wajdi
Mouawad, who embarked 50 young people from
here and there to discover the world through some
symbolic journeys "to be 20 years old in 2015" : a
project as mad as generous.
Gateway to the Belgian Ardennes, pearl formed
by the joining of the Sambre and the Meuse, Namur
rejoices in a rare and stunning setting as two rivers
meet and merge in the heart of a city, under the
looming presence of a particularly impressive rocky
spur. Every season brings its own charm, and the city
is warm and welcoming whenever you choose to visit,
its historic centre showing off its superb 18th century
architecture to equal effect in snow or sunshine.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Félicien Rops Museum
Sophie Laurent
[email protected]
+32 (0)81 77 67 55
City of Namur
Valérie Sacchi
[email protected]
+32 (0) 81 246 322
The peaceful atmosphere of its streets and
narrow lanes, on even the busiest day, is testimony
to its residents' taste for the art of living well. Some
irreverent spirits would argue that the snail became
the emblem of Namur because its townsfolk are supposedly so slow. The truth of the matter is that they
simply take the time to make the most of life! And the
time to welcome visitors properly, because Namur is
a favourite destination for shopping and the finer arts
and crafts: so welcome to Namur !
ROPS/FABRE – FACING TIME
EXHIBITION MUSÉE FÉLICIEN ROPS
14.03.2015 > 30.08.2015
www.museerops.be
"If I had to steal a work from a museum, it would be
Félicien Rops’s Pornocrates," Jan Fabre declared in an
interview in 2011.
Namur, a partner of Mons 2015, invited Jan Fabre for
a posthumous meeting with Félicien Rops : an original
route through museums and the open air to discover
the audacious and challenging worlds of these two
Belgian artists. The conversation between Rops and
Fabre, beyond time, will prove disturbing, will shake
things up, and raise questions.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
24.01.2015 > 15.02.2015
"Facing time" invites you for a face-to-face encounter
between two artists separated by two centuries of
history and development of art. Modernity, techniques, themes – everything is subject and object for
change. It is through time and the eye that parallels
and similarities between Fabre and Rops come to
seek dialogue.
"That this will occur in Namur is not without importance. That this resurrection takes place in the same
spot where Baudelaire started his own way of the
cross, that this homage is paid in the shadow of the
church where he ceased to suffer and started to die,
that this revenge, in one word, is a tribute to him in
the heart of the city that was pernicious and lethal to
him, can’t leave us indifferent."
Jan Fabre is also known as a man of the theatre.
Two plays are on the programme : on 6 May 2015 at
the Grand Manège, Preparatio Mortis, (2007-2010)
a show devoted to the body, transformation and
utopia. Every movement, every breath, every look is
an intense event, a resurrection that cries out with a
passion for life. On 8 and 9 May 2015, Le Pouvoir des
folies théâtrales (a new adaptation of the inaugural
version of 1984) will reconstitute Fabre’s four-and-ahalf-hour-long theatrical marathon in the main rooms.
This performance changed the theatrical idiom
throughout the world, and so more than thirty years
ago. The current trend for speed and the new media
make the show perhaps even more radical and resonant today than it ever was.
7 TRAGÉDIES DE SOPHOCLE
WAJDI MOUAWAD
THEATRE MONS – FESTIVAL AU CARRÉ
28.06.2015 > 30.06.2015
www.mons2015.eu
Other creation, other highlight in Mons : the display
of the seven "Tragedies de Sophocles" by Wajdi
Mouawad which comes along with the project "to
be 20 years old in 2015". The Lebanese director
from Quebec has wished that the 50 young people
coming from Mons, Namur, Nantes, Montréal and
Saint-Denis (Reunion Island) accompany this whole
work. The adventure, given rhythm by initiatory journeys from 2011 to 2015, will end by the exhibition "la
Fabrique des Héros", presented in Mons in November
and then in Namur.
A show by Au Carré de l’Hypoténuse-France, Abé Carré Cé Carré-Québec créative companies in co-production with The Grand T theatre of
Loire-Atlantique, Mons 2015, European Capital of Culture, le manege.
mons, Théâtre Royal de Namur, Centre national des Arts-Théâtre
français Ottawa, Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers Centre dramatique
national, La Halle aux grains – scene nationale de Blois, Célestins
Théâtre de Lyon, Théâtres Départementaux de la Réunion, Comédie
de Geneve, Maison de la Culture de Bourges Scene nationale and the
Festival of Avignon, Festival of Anthens and the Kadmos Network with
the support of Théâtre 71 Scene nationale de Malakoff, Théâtre du
Nouveau Monde Montréal, Ministere de la Culture des Communications
et de la Condition féminine du Québec, Conseil des arts et des lettres
du Québec, Ministere des Relations internationales du Québec, Fonds
franco-quebecois de coopération décentralisée et Service de Coopération et d’Action culturelle du Consulat général de France a Québec et la
participation du Théâtre national de Toulouse
Midi-Pyrénées et Délégation générale du Québec a Paris.
Wadji Mouawad is an associate artist at Grand T - Nantes Au Carré de
l'Hypothénuse is an collective with a loi 101 status with a convention
by the Ministère de la Culture et de la communication DRAC Pays de
la Loire, supposrted by the Ville de Nantes. Abé Cé Carré benefits from
support of the Consiel des arts et des lettres du Québec.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
30
^
De Zee
Albatros (2001)
Jannis Kounellis
31
OSTEND
Ostend is a city steeped in history, which
smells like all the delicacies the sea has to offer and
is bursting with energy. Belgium’s premier seaside
resort effortlessly succeeds in combining all the nice
things it has to offer in one stunning package. Nature,
music, fashion, food, art… and its greatest asset :
the sea. So let our city stimulate all your senses and
explore beautiful Ostend.
LA MER
SALUT D’HONNEUR A JAN HOET
EXHIBITION MU.ZEE - OOSTENDE
23.10.14 > 19.04.15
www.dezee-oostende.be
CONTACTS
Press contact
Colette Castermans
+32 (0)59 56 45 91
[email protected]
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
18.02.2015 > 08.03.2015
The Sea is a salut d’honneur to renowned curator Jan
Hoet, who wanted to share his own last ode to the
sea… with grand gestures and little stories. Sadly Jan
Hoet did not live to see the completion of the project,
but his critical eye, his vision and his work are an
integral part of it. “the sea” is an exhibition that, just like
a wave, cannot be pinned down: it builds up, breaks
on the shore and leaves traces that the next wave will
wash away.
The aquariums of Patrick Corillon, “Les Mouvements
sous-marins”, are also present in this exhibition. In
1921 François Devos (1874-1925), the painter, felt
misunderstood and therefore decided to no longer
target his usual visitors. He searched for an audience
who would understand his talent. All of his following
works were displayed as backgrounds in aquariums,
filled with exotic fish, the only true creatures that
understand the colours and sensitivity of the artwork.
The artwork consists in three aquariums, accompanied with a plaque stating the emotional under-water
currents original from François Devos’ scriptorium.
Other fascinating collaborations forge more links
between Ostend. The two orchestras TOSO
(Ostend) and L'Orchestre National Lunaire (La
Louviere, under the direction of Eloi Baudimont)
have decided to join forces to design a common project and the Theater aan Zee festival
will feature artists from Mons too from 30/07
until 08/08.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
32
^
Rencontres de Sculpture Monumentale
© Bruno Dewolf
33
SOIGNIES
AOÛT EN ECLATS
FESTIVAL
29.08.15
The last Saturday of August offers the 11th edition of
the multi-festival "August in glory" : New creations by
regional and international artists, musical fireworks,
theatre, fairground arts, children's village, community
meeting spaces, urban exhibitions to titillate the
senses of thousands of spectators…
PIERRE BLEUE
CREATION BY ALAIN ELOY
Located at less than twenty kilometers from
Mons, Soignies is, with and its 26.000 inhabitants,
a European center of dressed stone, an ancient city
and the capital of its district. Soignies cleverly combines culture, heritage, folklore, trade, agriculture and
industrial activities. City of art and history, Soignies
can pride herself with its centuries-old collegiate, its
renovated city center, its museums and its blue stone
quarries that have made it famous throughout the
country and even around the world.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Pierre Duquesnes, Director of the Cultural
Center of Soignies
[email protected]
+32(0)67 347 426
SOIGNIES LIVING HERITAGE
10.08.2015 > 18.09.2015
www.centre-culturel-soignies.be
City of legacy, Soignies invites Mons 2015 to take a
look at its local treasure : the blue stone. Soignies,
patrimoine vivant will consist of a one-month-long
period of activities aimed at discovering the typical
mineral, and will include three main events.
5ÈMES RENCONTRES
DE SCULPTURES MONUMENTALES
EXHIBITION
10.08.2015 > 29.08.2015
The “Rencontres de Sculpture monumentale” (Monumental Sculpture Meetings) will provide the opportunity to admire the work of both Belgian and international artists during two weeks. Monolithic blocks will be
sculpted, under the eyes of the public, monumental,
into contemporary and original works to be visited in
the city for the next few years.
Theme exhibitions, activities, guided tours, legacy
tours and shows are scheduled.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
10.06.2015 > 21.06.2015
THEATRE
18.09.2015 > 19.09.2015
Belgian actor Alain Eloy will shine in an exclusive
one-man show, derived from meetings with quarry
workers and citizens. This documentary theatre piece
will shed a special light on the long history bounding
a population to its earth and to the material, which
gave the city and its citizens their identity.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
34
^
Fluide, art actuel en terre médiévale
Artwork by Xavier Rijs
© DR
35
THUIN
Perched on a rocky mountain top, Thuin overlooks the Sambre and Biesmelle valleys. At its summit, the Belfry provides amazing views of the valley
and the narrow winding alleys, towers and the Postys
that form the medieval city. The fully south-facing
Hanging Gardens, composed of successive terraces
offer walks with a scent of Provence.
FLUIDE 2015
CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND MEDIEVAL LAND
ART IN THE STREET THUIN
20.06.2015 > 20.09.2015
www.fluide-thuin.be
RE-ENCHANTING THE CITY THROUGH ARTS AND
CULTURE.
Thuin, the Jewel of the Sambre Valley is not without its charm. Its belfry and its hanging gardens
contribute to it. In order to position the city as a fully
fledged tourist destination and to valorise its heritage,
the Cultural Centre of Thuin-Haute Sambre creates a
recurring cultural event in Thuin: Fluide.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Curator of the exhibition : Dorothée Duvivier
BPS22
[email protected]
Director of the Cultural centre of Thuin-Haute
Sambre : Pascal Marlier
[email protected]
Press conference
18 June 2015, at 12 pm.
In the presence of many artists, the curator of
the exhibition and the director of the Cultural
Centre of Thuin
Private visit
19 June 2015, from 6 pm to 10 pm
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
avec Charleroi
24.06.2015 > 12.07.2015
+ 24.08.2015 > 30.08.2015
Created in 2006, Fluide is an original and warmhearted public arts route. The artworks exhibited
outside the specialised venues generate emotion,
curiosity and reflection and mark the territory with a
substantial imprint. After three convincing editions,
the team extends and strengthens this contemporary art route to turn it into an innovative event of
international dimensions in the context of Mons 2015,
European Capital of Culture.
The 2015 edition of Fluide aims to be a reflection
about the city, its past, its folklore, its exceptional
architecture and green spaces, but also its urban
reality and urban development. While creating an
accessible route on foot, Fluide will take over various
locations in the city (historical hyper-centre, Hanging
Gardens, Grand Bon dieu woods, boatman's quarter,
Ravel,...) The intention is to create an ambitious cultural event, mobilise a broad public and sow the seeds
of a new cultural policy.
The 17 selected artists, young talents and established artists, foreign and belonging to the Federation
Wallonie-Bruxelles, have passed through the city,
started a dialogue with the environment and considered the location as material. Building on the existing,
they claim continued exchanges and encounters. The
artistic interventions, mainly monumental, are particularly diversified and address the notions of public and
private, traces and disappearances, popular traditions.
They will question the urban planning, commercial
and tourism stakes of the city. Finally, they will jolt
the minds with their emotional dimension linked to
memories, games and childhood.
ARTISTS :
Olivier Cornil, Charleroi (BE), 1976 - John Cornu, Seclin (FR),
1976 - Jérôme Considérant, Charleroi (BE), 1977 - Sara Conti,
Baudour (BE), 1971 - Michael Dans, Verviers (BE), 1971 – DSCTHK : Thibaut Blondiau, Bruxelles (BE), 1973 et Jérôme André,
Bruxelles (BE), 1972 - Djos Janssens, Bruxelles (BE), 1972 - Olivier
Kosta-Thefaine, Paris (FR), 1972 - Sophie Langohr, Chênée (BE),
1974 - Christine Mawet, Rocourt (BE), 1971 - Ludovic Mennesson,
Lille (FR), 1985 - Société Volatil : Philémon Vanorlé, Bruxelles (BE),
1980 et Arnaud Verley, Roubaix (FR), 1980 - Xavier Rijs, Bruxelles (BE),
1954 - Jonathan Sullam, Bruxelles (BE), 1979 - Christophe Terlinden,
Etterbeek (BE), 1969 - Adrien Tirtiaux, Bruxelles (BE), 1980 - Stephan
Vee, Charleroi (BE), 1970.
Exhibition organised by the Cultural Centre of Thuin-Haute Sambre and
the Foundation Mons 2015 in partnership with the BPS22 contemporary creation space of the Province of Hainaut. With the co-operation of
the City of Thuin, the Office du Tourisme, the Maison du Tourisme Val
de Sambre et Thudinie, and the support of the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles and the Walloon Region. Realised with the support of the
Commissariat Général au Tourisme.
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
36
^
Antoine Watteau, La Chute d'eau, before 1715, private collection.
37
VALENCIENNES
Valenciennes, northern sub-prefecture, French
Hainaut Capital is the twin sister of Mons, the capital
of the Belgian Hainaut. It enjoys a privileged location
in the heart of Europe. It is fully integrated into the
Valenciennes district, which is the most populated
area of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. It has nearly
45,000 inhabitants, of which over 30% are under 20
years.
The historical town has been called the
"Athens of the North". Valenciennes boasts a rich
cultural past and continues to lead, now more than
ever, a proactive cultural policy. First Regional Capital
of Culture in 2007, Valenciennes has indeed leading
infrastructure with its Museum of Fine Arts, the
national stage of the Phoenix, or his Higher School of
Art and Design, and its Digital Library Conservatory
radiation county music.
"Culture, everywhere, for all" is the motto of the
City through outreach and large projects, a commitment to render art and culture accessible to everyone.
Valenciennes enthusiastically participates as official
partner of "Mons, European Capital of Culture 2015."
CONTACTS
Press contact:
Charlotte LESPAGNOL
+33 (0)3 27 22 58 84
+33 (0)6 72 46 57 43
[email protected]
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
14.10.2015 > 25.10.2015
RÊVERIES ITALIENNES - ITALIAN DAYDREAMS
ANTOINE WATTEAU
AND FRENCH LANDSCAPE PAINTERS
FROM THE XVIIIth CENTURY
EXHIBITION MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS
25.09.2015 > 17.01.2016
www.musee.valenciennes.fr
The French town of Valenciennes is the birthplace
of one of the most celebrated French painters :
Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721). The Musée
des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes holds a significant
collection of works by the artist, soon to be boosted
by the recent discovery by a private collector of a rare
landscape painting of Antoine Watteau. The painting,
La Chute d’eau, which has never before been shown
to the public, shows a waterfall inspired by the Tivoli
cascades near Rome. It testifies to Watteau’s enduring fascination for the Italian countryside, which he,
however, never actually managed to visit.
To mark the remarkable discovery of La Chute d’eau,
the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes has
decided to examine the Italian daydreams that are
such an important feature of the work of Antoine
Watteau. The exhibition – conceived by the American Watteau expert Martin Eidelberg – will focus
on the influence of the Italian style on the painter
throughout his career. The Venetian painters of the
16th century were also a major source of inspiration
for the artist, reinforcing his interest in the works of his
Roman contemporaries and those of the generation
immediately preceding him. Alongside a collection of
important paintings and drawings by Watteau, works
from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries will show how
this painter of dreams delved into the European artistic culture to create works which would pave the way
for a new school of landscape painting. In the wake
of Antoine Watteau, French painters of the Enlightenment era, including Nicolas Vleughels, Charles
Joseph Natoire, François Boucher and Hubert Robert,
would in turn be captivated by the pastoral delights of
the Italian countryside. Starting from Watteau’s Italian
daydreams, the exhibition in Valenciennes will shine
a new light on the fecundity of an artistic style that,
beyond its seductive iconography, would lead to the
birth of Romanticism.
The exhibition "Italian daydreams" is the second
major exhibition devoted to Antoine Watteau at
the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Valenciennes, coming
ten years after the exhibition ‘Watteau and the fête
galante’ organised as part of "Lille 2004, European
capital of culture". This latest exhibition is part of
the programme celebrating the nomination of the
neighbouring Belgian town of Mons as the 2015
European Capital of Culture. It will also mark the
reopening of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Valenciennes after 13 months of renovations.
The exhibition is, exceptionally, organised in collaboration with the Louvre Lens, who agreed to the loan of
a significant number of works as well as to organising a complementary exhibition at the Louvre Lens
devoted to Antoine Watteau and the fête galante
("Dance, kiss who you like: fêtes and the pleasures
of love in the century of Mme de Pompadour", Lens,
December 2015 - March 2016). The exhibition
is being put on with the generous support of the
Groupe CIC Nord Ouest.
EXHIBITION CURATORS:
Martin Eidelberg
professor emeritus of Art History, Rutgers University
Emmanuelle Delapierre
Director of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes
Virginie Frelin
Head of conservation at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
38
^
La fine équipe des 400 coups.
« En 2015, on fait les 400 coups, et vous ? »
© DR
39
Federating
the Cities
and Communes
of “Wallonie
picarde”
400 COUPS, APPETIZER !
INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCE AT THE OPENING
NIGHT OF MONS 2015.
One of these artistic events has been integrated
into the opening night of the European Capital of
Culture - Mons 2015 on 24 January. 400 musicians
are recruited from the audience to perform together a
masterwork. A maestro, a diva, a virtuoso… they all fly
high and beautifully, they reach harmony !
Three separate sessions will start at : 20:00, 21:30,
and 23:00 at the St-Elisabeth Church in Rue de Nimy.
18 Cities and Communes of "Wallonie picarde"
have signed up for the construction of an unprecedentedly unified territorial cultural dynamic.
These are Antoing, Belœil, Bernissart, Brugelette,
Brunehaut, Celles, Chièvres, Comines-Warneton,
Ellezelles, Estaimpuis, Frasnes-Lez-Anvaing, Lessines,
Leuze-en-Hainaut, Mouscron, Pecq, Péruwelz, Rumes
and Tournai.
CONTACTS
Press contact
Aline De Meester
+32 (0)69 46 00 23
[email protected]
Facebook : 400CoupsWalloniepicarde
Twitter : @400CoupsWapi
#400CoupsWapi
Located at the heart of Europe, in the west of
Wallonia and accounting for 10% of its population,
Wallonie picarde extends between the French and
Flemish borders. A territory of co-operation par excellence, it has seen itself being granted the official title
of partner "Territory" of Mons, the European Capital of
Culture 2015, alongside 17 partner cities.
LES « 400 COUPS »
A FEDERATING PROJECT FOR WALLONIE PICARDE
FESTIVAL
02.08.2015 > 13.09.2015
www.400coups.eu
The “400 Coups” will first and foremost be a state of
mind, a cultural dynamic specific to the territory of
Wallonie Picarde. Some great artistic events are going
to occur over the entire Wallonie picarde territory
during the summer of 2015: from 02 August to 13
September.
From 2 August to 13 September 2015: an appointment in Wallonia Picardy for a profusion of free and
public events.
In Mons
@ Home On Tour
11.03.2015 > 12.04.2015
+ 15.07.2015 > 26.07.2015
Great polymorphic project, the 400 Coups, is a creation of M.Zo and its Facteurs d’Amour Company, in
partnership with accessory artists, conceived for and
with Walloon Picardians.
A place for sweet madness, audacity, emotion and
grace, with an open-air theatre, mirror of an unusual
and surprising territory.
A creation by Culture.Wapi and 18 municipalities from Picardic Wallonia,
realised by Les Facteurs d’amour with M.Zo, musical direction by Elio
Baudimont and choreography by Gilles Monnart.
FESTIVAL DES (RENCONTRES) INATTENDUES
BERNARD STIEGLER
FESTIVAL
24.08.2015 > 29.08.2015
www.lesinattendues.be
Musical performances, lectures, philosophic
workshops with Bernard Lubat and Bernard Stiegler
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
40
home on tour
THE HOUSE of the partner cities
HAVRÉ STREET, 114 - 7000 MONS
24.01.2015 > 12.12.2015
Wed. > Sat. 12:00 > 19:00
Sun 12:00 > 17:00
Located in the heart of the European Capital of
Culture, Home On Tour is a "home" for the partner
in Mons. A cosy place for information, meetings and
encounters that will inspire visitors to explore our
neighbouring towns in France and Belgium.
Throughout the year 2015, each partner city will, for
a few days or weeks, be present in the Home on Tour
as hosts. Hosting cities offer more information about
their programme, their cultural partner project, the
local artists, regional gastronomy and the treasures
of the heritage through mini-exhibitions, concerts,
creative workshops and meetings.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME…
Namur
24.01.2015 > 15.02.2015
"Link" – a group exhibition of emerging artists.
Ostend
17.02.2015 > 08.03.2015
Walloon Picardy
11.03.2015 > 12.04.2015 + 15.07.2015 > 26.07.2015
Discover Walloon Picardy, and the project of "400
coups" by various festive and friendly meetings with
artists, tastings of local products, a photography exhibition, production to build kites, in collaboration with
numerous economic and cultural operators.
HUGO DELAUTRE,
DESIGNER FOR HOME ON TOUR
The design furniture of the entrance hall of
Home On Tour was created by Hugo Delautre,
a young graduate in plastic, visual and spatial
arts from the Ecole Supérieure des Arts SaintLuc in Tournai. Hugo won the Prix Tremplin
2014 at the World Crafts Council-Belgique
Francophone (WCC-BF Mons) for his work
“La Chaise rien à cacher” (The Nothingto-hide Chair). Under the sponsorship of
his teacher from the design section, Peter
Vandekerckhove, Hugo Delautre then worked
on another project of a made-to-measure
bench-counter for “Home On Tour”. Visitors of
the House of Partner Cities and Partner Territories wil be greeted by his ceration.
www.hugodelautre.com
Walloon Picardy + Kortrijk
11.04.2015 > 12.04.2015
Festive outdoor weekend with a nod to the pleasures
of the Lys.
Ghent
06.05.2015 > 17.05.2015
"1, 2, 3 Piano" - Installation - The city of Ghent will
be present in Mons from 6 to 17 May 2015. Ghent
brings its successful project '123 Piano’ to Mons. The
concept is simple : for two summers the city of Ghent
has been placing pianos in public spaces for everyone
to play on. Two pianos will travel to Mons, one will
find its home in the 'Home On Tour', another in the
conservatory Arts². Everyone is allowed to play ! At
the same time, the students from Mons conservatory
Arts² will transform one piano into a work of art that
will in August return to Ghent to be featured in the next
edition of "123 Piano".
www.123-piano.be
La Louviere
20.05.2015 > 07.06.2015
From May 21 to June 5, La Louviere moves to Mons
to offer in Home on Tour concerts, small representations, animations,... but also an original exhibition
to introduce the partner projects of Mons 2015 in
collaboration with various artists.
Soignies
10.06.2015 > 21.06.2015
Soignies offers a thematic exhibition about certain
symbolic places of the city, supported by several texts
by writers, artists, architects and journalists. Multimedia presentations, tools and old documents illustrate
the long history that binds people to their land and to
the material that gives them their identity.
Charleroi + Thuin
24.06.2015 > 12.07.2015 + 19.08.2015 > 30.08.2015
Brugge
29.07.2015 > 16.08.2015
Lille
02.09.2015 > 06.09.2015
Bruxelles
09.09.2015 > 13.09.2015
Liège
16.09.2015 > 27.09.2015
INNOVATION & READY
How do we preserve material and immaterial heritage,
knowledge and products? How can we stimulate
new models of production? Which role do we play
as citizen, designer, student in our environnement?
Mechelen offers a place for refelection about these
questions in Mons in september 2015.
Mechelen
30.09.2015 > 11.10.2015
Valenciennes
14.10.2015 > 25.10.2015
IN SITU
Exhibition revolving around the works of two Belgian
artists based in France, Jean-Marc Vantournhoudt,
photojournalist, and Claude Cattelain, visual artist.
Since September 2014, these two artists have been
bringing to life the renovation site of the Museum of
Fine Arts of Valenciennes. The two artists are piecing
together and illustrating the different steps of the
renovation works using photography and drawings.
Maubeuge
01.11.2015 > 22.11.2015
Home On Tour will offer partners a pied-a-terre
and different workspaces for intimate conferences
and business meetings with cultural and economic
actors. It will also happily serve as base to visit Mons
and its surroundings.
41
BUS ON TOUR
BUS ON TOUR
BUS FROM MONS, PARK AND RIDE
8€
PRIOR BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - LIMITED NUMBER
OF PLACES AVAILABLE
www.mons2015.eu/ontour
Mons 2015 invites the public to go on an adventure aboard a festive bus to explore the programme
beyond the walls of their own city. Atypical rides full
of surprises to discover the partner cities and their
projects.
BUS ON TOUR SEASON 1
JAN > MARCH
GHENT
LIGHT FESTIVAL + surprise
01.02.2015 18:00 > 00:00
OSTEND
EXHIBITION THE SEA + surprise
07.02.2015 09:00 > 18:00
NAMUR
FACING TIME / FÉLICIEN ROPS / JAN FABRE + surprise
29.03.2015 09:30 > 17:30
LA LOUVIERE
EXHIBITION LUC TUYMANS CENTRE DE LA GRAVURE ET DE L'IMAGE IMPRIMÉE
+ EXHIBITION L'OMBILIC DU RÊVE - ROYAL
MUSEUM OF MARIEMONT
+ CONCERT AT THE ROYAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF WALLONIA - 1.2.3.4 PIANOS
05.03.2015 – 9:30 > 17:00 + 20:00
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
42
CHURCH
ECHOES OF ORLANDO DI LASSO
THE CHURCH OF SAINT-NICOLAS-EN-HAVRÉ
WELCOMES US.
In the heart of the final season of Mons 2015,
"Renaissance and Revolution", we focus on the composer Orlando di Lasso. This innovative composer of
the sixteenth century was born in Mons and became
a world star in Europe, in Italy, where he set to music
poems by Petrarch to the Court of Bavaria.
Choirs, children's choirs, a choir of 800 enthusiasts,
renowned musicians from classical to contemporary
music, pop and rock musicians, will be singing during
one week from 4 to 11 October.
The city of Mechelen also organizes a number of
events to celebrate all facets of the artist : Orlando di
Lasso, From the Church to the Bar. (See page XX)
The beautiful church of Saint-Nicolas-en-Havré
hosts the press conference of ‘Home on Tour’ on
24.01.2015. Exactly where the young Orlando began
his musical career as a then young choir singer to
practice his musical talent.
Built in the fifteenth century, the church was severly
damaged in a fire in the seventeenth century. The
engineer Anthony rebuilt the church according to the
original plans of the architect of the Belfry of Mons.
Saint-Nicolas-en-Havré currently remains one of the
oldest churches in the intramuros of Mons. These
vicissitudes of history today result in an interesting
mix of styles: from the Baroque façade to more
classic interiors. This year, the renovated building will
finally be open for the public after more than 20 years
of renovation works.
The choir and the 23 side chapels are particularly
rich in woodwork : Baroque altars and railings from
the 17th and 18th centuries. The Treasury is rich
in ancient liturgical vestments, including a "danse
macabre" of the sixteenth century.
Notable features are the 14 music-making angels
carved in oak (Ch. A. Fonson) around the choir,
the new glass roof of the Belgian architect Bernard
Tirtiaux that overlooks the great organ of the 19th
century that is currently being restored. The church
was used for service for centuries and remains today
an excellent venue for concerts that often resonate
the echoes of Orlando di Lasso.
43
PARTNERS
OFFICIAL
PARTNERS
PROJECT
PARTNERS
OFFICIAL
SUPPLIERS
PROJECT
SUPPLIERS
MEDIA
PARTNERS
PROJECT
MEDIAPARTNERS
FOUNDING
INSTITUTIONAL
PARTNERS
FOUNDING
INSTITUTIONAL
PARTNERS
Mons 2015
PRESS PACK
44
NATIONAL PRESS
CONTACTS
INTERNATIONAL PRESS
CONTACTS
CHARLINE CAUCHIE
Press officer (FR)
+32 (0)479 77 42 23
[email protected]
BE CULTURE (SPCC)
Lore Lambrechts & Charlotte
Materne, Project Coordinators
Séverine Provost, General Manager
+ 32 (0)2 644 61 91
+ 32 (0)478 43 66 67
[email protected]
JOHAN VREYS
Press officer (NL)
+32 (0)474 63 66 41
[email protected]
FONDATION MONS 2015
106 Rue de Nimy
7000 Mons (Belgique)
www.mons2015.eu
Responsible editor : Yves Vasseur