Folklore on a Frozen Lake

The Belgian Pavilion For The Venice Art Biennale 2024

"Everyone around us is hitting the slopes with their skis, and here we are heading to an art event on a frozen lake…. And when people ask me, 'What are you even going to do there?!' I just think, how do I even begin to explain that in a few words?! It's just not that simple!"

- Charlotte, Manager of The Art Society

Well... Here's my attempt to break it down for you in 500 words... ;)

Charlotte and I

The Venice Biennale

Every two years, the Venice Art Biennale takes place. It’s some sort of world championship for contemporary art, where artists from all corners of the world come together to flaunt their work. It's like Venice becomes the heart of the art world for a moment. People from everywhere gather to witness the newest and most thrilling artworks, from paintings to sculptures to installations to digital art and more.

But the Biennale isn't just about showing off art; it's also a hub for exchanging ideas, debating, and discovering new trends in the art world. It's an inspiring experience for anyone who's passionate about art.

The Belgian Pavilion

Many countries have their own pavilions, dedicated exhibition spaces where their artists showcase their work. It's a golden opportunity for artists to shine on an international stage and contribute to the global dialogue on art and culture. Each edition, a new artist or collective gets the chance to represent their country's artistic vision.

Every two years, either the Flemish or the Walloon community selects the representative for Belgium. (For international readers: Belgium consists of two ‘mayor’ cultural communities, the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) and the Walloon (French-speaking region), each with their own resources and independent decision-making policies despite sharing the same country.)

The Belgian pavilion wouldn't be possible without sponsors, and this year, The Art Society (by ING Private Banking) is one of the proud sponsors of the Belgian Pavilion. The Art Society is an exclusive club for collectors of contemporary art, organizing unique events and trips for its members. Some individual members of the club are also sponsors of this year's edition. And since I've recently started working as a freelancer for The Art Society, I get to enjoy the events tied to the pavilion too! … :D!

The Belgian Entry: Petticoat Government

This year, Belgium's representation isn't just one artist—it's an entire (new) collective: Petticoat Government. It comprises established artist names like Ivo Provoost & Simona Denicolai, alongside other young Belgian artists who have come together to bring a beautiful (theatrical) concept to life.

Petticoat Government doesn't see folklore as just old tales and artifacts; they view it as a treasure trove of stories and knowledge shared among people. They see popular culture as a force that can influence politics and self-perception. Instead of fixating on origins, they aim to keep these stories alive and share them, blurring boundaries between places and people.

The artists in the collective have created various giants (puppets), drawing from folklore across Europe. They've crafted figures based on actual giants used in Belgian, French, and Spanish traditions, weaving together similar yet diverse folk tales into a spectacle of dancing giants that break physical and metaphorical barriers while connecting people. This spectacle kicked off last weekend on the frozen Lake Di Resia at the tri-border point between Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. (A location that perfectly aligns with the artists' theme of interconnectedness ;)) We enjoyed a picnique on the frozen lake while watching it all come together… The giants' final destination? Venice! I’ll definitly talk more about it when the opening of the Venice Art Biennale is in sight ;)

Enjoy some snapshots of the spectacle I had the privilege to experience:

Thank you for reading! Like and share so more people can enjoy this newsletter :)

Until next week,

Emily

Ps: For the new readers, a reference to one of my most-read newsletters: