Glass art in Belgium

Abstract

The tenth-anniversary exhibition entitled ‘XY’ – ‘X’ for 10 and ‘Y’ for years- at the Lommel GlazenHuis is the glass museum’s twenty-fourth show. GlazenHuis has invited twenty-four artists and designers to demonstrate up-to-date uses of glass within the field of fine and applied arts in Belgium. The Belgians’ feel for material must be in their genetic code. Because of the traditions of the manufacturing sector and industry alongside the application of crafts as the backbone of Belgium's design industry where glass plays an important role in the cultural values that form Belgium’s identity.

The upcoming tenth-anniversary exhibition entitled XY 10 YEAR GLAZENHUIS will be a mix of the usual suspects and new collaborations, fresh works and reproductions: glass objects, jewelry, sculptures, installations, photographs, paintings, videos, and performances. In other words, a selection perfectly in line with the GlazenHuis’ ideology. With an impressive list of artists on display, GlazenHuis underlines the relevance of the material of glass in contemporary art. The wide array of artists who agreed to participate can also testify to the reputation our museum has built up during the past decade.

This very interesting selection of works by visual artists, studio glass artists, glass artists and designers exhibits the role of art in our modern society and an on-going process of cross fertilization and the shared languages of industrial design, craft and art. It’s no coincidence that the countries with the happiest people are where culture and art play a vital role in shaping and connecting the past and present with the future. The fearless statements by artists in ‘XY’ conquer our hearts and through their glass we can look at ourselves and the world.

Curator: Jeroen Maes Production: © GLAZENHUIS

Participants: Anna Torfs, Ann Veronica Janssens, Christine Vanoppen, Cindy Wright, Gauthier Pierson, Hans Op De Beeck, Ilse Van Roy, Jan Fabre, Karen Vermeren, Karin Borghouts, Klaar Prims, Koen Vanderstukken, Koen Vanmechelen, Kristof Vrancken, Lieven De Boeck, Linde Hermans, Lore Langendries, Maria Dukers, Mariken Dumon, Nel Verbeke, Peter De Cupere, Sylvie Vandenhoucke, Warner Berckmans en Wim Delvoye.