M HKA brings together the work of artist Elene Chantladze and designers Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia of Rooms Studio for a joint exhibition.
The exhibition articulates and celebrates the common ground that comes alive through their work. Beyond their specific approaches to painting, storytelling and design, the two practices have in common to acknowledge interiors, and by extension interiority, as an essential place that contributes to the development of resilience, freedom, and, most importantly, the conception of new imaginaries. The places of everyday life, whether indoor or outdoor, intimate or public, act as sites of observation and emancipation. Vernacular practices are understood and used by the three artists in a progressive fashion, leading local traditions, resources and knowledge towards transformative terrains, far away from the status quo.
The exhibition at M HKA features a generous selection of drawings and paintings by Elene Chantladze, in dialogue with display and support structures conceived by Rooms Studio, at times hosting each other, at others remaining autonomous.
This project is part of M HKA’s In Situ programme, a series of exhibitions focusing on the development of new work and projects commissioned for the largest and most atypical space of the museum; it is organized on the occasion of Europalia Georgia, an arts festival taking place across Belgium from 4 October 2023 until 14 January 2024.
| Hours | Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Venue | Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp |
| Type | Museum Exhibition |
| Duration | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| City | Antwerp |
About
Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
In 1947, Lode Craeybeckx wanted to establish a multipurpose building for cultural activities: he proposed to build a Palace of Liberation in the city park: a place for concerts and other cultural events, but in particular for modern art. However, due the poor financial situation of post-war Antwerp, these plans were quickly put away. In the early sixties, Craeybeckx, then mayor, made a second attempt to build a (national) museum of modern art. This time, he had the plot opposite the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) in mind, the place where the Hippodrome Theatre was in decline. Again, the price tag put an end to the plans. However, one didn't let go of the idea, and different parties began to work on the creation of a museum of modern art in Antwerp. In 1966, architect Léon Stynen submitted a proposal to build a museum on pillars near the medieval fortress Het Steen. This project was rejected for fear of impeding the port activities. In 1970, Stynen submitted a second proposal: in the neighbourhood Linkeroever, he wanted to realise Le Corbusier's unexecuted 'Musée à croissance illimitée' (Museum of unlimited growth). The prestigious project was well received and it was decided to construct it in the Middelheim Park. But construction works were halted because the park was declared a green zone
