“A love letter to Brussels”: RendezVous celebrates the art capital

Kicking off the art season in Brussels in style is RendezVous - Brussels Art Week, a sprawling yet focused celebration of the capital’s contemporary art scene and artistic hotspots.

Running until 13 September, the annual event encompasses nearly 100 venues for a unique snapshot of the diversity of art on offer in Brussels.

From international and local galleries, private foundations, public institutions and a robust network of artist-run spaces, the city boasts a dynamic ecosystem in which emerging and experimental art thrives alongside established artists and galleries.

Throughout the event, participating venues host a variety of activities, including exhibitions, artist talks, performances, screenings, workshops, guided tours and meet-the-artist or meet-the-curator sessions.

The event’s hub is the Salon de RendezVous at 311 Avenue Van Volxem in Forest, near Wiels art center. A former industrial space temporarily transformed into a venue for art, design, music, and cinema, it is a stylish urban meeting space that is enhanced by a courtyard, bar and pop-up bookshop.

International design collective Espace Aygo was commissioned to fill its lofty exhibition space. Employing reclaimed materials, its artists constructed a monumental installation (pictured above) featuring towers, which rise and collapse to evoke a perpetual cycle of ascent, fall and renewal.

Meanwhile, an Open Studios programme includes a selection of artists' studios that are opening their doors for the occasion.

"The fact that RendezVous has grown from 67 to 98 participating venues in just one year speaks volumes — not only about the initiative’s success but also about how Brussels remains in motion despite a challenging economic climate,” say RendezVous’ founders Laure Decock and Evelyn Simons.

“New spaces are opening, international players are arriving, and existing galleries continue to evolve. Brussels’ strength lies precisely in this diversity... With RendezVous, we aim to make this openness visible and further put Brussels on the map as an international art ecosystem,” they insist.

Interview with Laure Decock and Evelyn Simons

Speaking to The Bulletin, Laure Decock and Evelyn Simons, who founded the event in 2024, underline the importance of making it as accessible as possible, while pursuing transdisciplinary collaborations to attract new audiences.

With more than 10 years of experience in the Brussels and international art scenes, the dynamic duo are also well placed to reflect on the capital’s unique character as an art city.

But first, what are they doing to appeal to different audiences? “I feel the art world does not always make an effort. It must not be a high intellectual tower for only people in the know,” notes Decock. Their initiatives include linking to other disciplines, such as Le Fooding for gourmet suggestions that can be combined with a gallery visit, or established cultural events like the Klara classical music festival.

For Simons, it is important to not force culture or contemporary art on people. “But for those who already have a curious appetite for culture in fields like film, music or nightlife, we set up collaborations.” The Salon de RendezVous is one example. “It is very transdisciplinary for younger generations. Many people also find us because they saw our name at a party, on Instagram or on a T-shirt in the street.”

If the pair deliberately forged a distinctive visual identity around their marketing and new guide book, they have sought to create a mysterious, albeit popular appeal. “We play with codes of recognition so our posters feature beautiful photos of trashy parts of Brussels, which really define what it is. We want to embrace all of the city and I feel people are curious because of this visual language,” she continues.  “The whole idea of a silo around the visual arts scene and not understanding anything about what is happening in the other arts, is becoming obsolete or irrelevant.”

RendezVous’ tagline “A love letter to Brussels” is at the heart of the event and reflects the city’s complexity and challenges, as well as its unique multicultural nature.

As part of the dysfunctionality of the city, there is a mindset for people to undertake cultural initiatives on their own, comments Simons. “Public funding often uses this as an argument not to support you, but if you cut this funding, only the mainstream institutions remain, and this is not where the real experimentation and accessibility happens.”

How does the capital’s multicultural identity play a role? “While the city has a family village vibe in many ways, it is also always looking outwards while welcoming people in. This is one of its strengths,” says Decock.

Simons references the importance of foreign diasporas in the city. “People keep their links with their home countries, which is where many collectives and sub cultures originate from. There is a lot happening, which is why we want to make sure that we are a platform where all of these things can have their place.”

Finally, do you have a message to people who have not experienced the event before? “Because it’s crazy and it’s fun,” quips Decock. “If you want to come and celebrate the kick off of the art season in a relaxed setting where everyone is welcome, there are all types of art, a lot of experimental practices, as well as renowned names,” adds Simons.

Programme highlights different part of the city each day

As an invitation to discover Brussels as a city of art, RendezVous offers seven guided routes to help visitors navigate the various neighbourhoods.

Although most events are free, the All-Access Pass — available for advance booking —provides entry to participating venues that normally require an admission ticket.

11 September: Westside

Spotlight on Molenbeek, Anderlecht and Forest, featuring, among others, Ali Cherri’s Soul Witness at Wiels; Lost and Found, an exhibition of Japanese photography from the A Foundation collection; and Liza Sivakova’s Under the Chandelier at Eric Mouchet. For this edition, Sybil is also setting up in Forest with The Unknown by Charlotte Vander Borght & Tapta.

12 September: Downtown

The route covers the Sablon and the city centre, featuring Ugo Rondinone at Gladstone, Nathalie Du Pasquier at Galerie Greta Meert, Marcos Siqueira at Mendes Wood DM, and Tim Braden at Nino Mier Gallery.

13 September: Uptown

The focus shifts to Ixelles, Saint-Gilles and Uccle, featuring Hans Op de Beeck at Almine Rech, Tony Cragg at Bernier/Eliades, Jean-Michel Othoniel at the Boghossian Foundation, and Tatiana Trouvé at Xavier Hufkens.

Photos: (main image) ©RendezVous; ©Paulina Byczek; Espace Aygo installation ©The Bulletin; Laure Decock and Evelyn Simons ©Sander Houthuys; Brussels skyline ©Sander Houthuys; ©RendezVous