Het Kunstuur Mechlin 4 from 16/05/22 till 30/11/22
The fourth exhibition of Het Kunstuur can be visited from 16th May 2022 until 30th November 2022. New paintings, new narrators and new stories. The concept stays the same: Belgian painter artists from the period 1850-1950 with stories told by Flemish celebrities and lesser-known celebrities accompanied by music from Dirk Brossé.
"My grandparents' profession, my father's hobby."
Storytelling by Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium
Alexander tells a story about Valerius De Saedeleer's painting 'Before spring' (+/- 1908).
"I still work in the same way too."
Storytelling by Sir Dirk Brossé, composer
Dirk tells a story about Jenny Montigny's painting 'Jules-Toussaint De Sutter at the piano' (1912).
Such masterpieces attract the attention of our international collectors."
Storytelling by Pauline Haon, 20th and 21st century specialist at Christie's auction house
Pauline tells a story about Gustave De Smet's painting 'The blue canapé' (1928).
"We live in societies that are addicted to fossil fuels."
Storytelling by Anuna De Wever, climate and human rights activist
Anuna tells a story about Pierre Paulus de Châtelet's painting 'Miner' (year unknown).
"By order of the Gestapo, ‘Mansard’ was removed from an exhibition."
Storytelling by Bruno De Wever, professor and historian
Bruno tells a story about Jean Brusselmans' painting 'Mansard II' (1939).
"When I took off in the moonlight, I often thought about this painting."
Storytelling by Jean-Jacques Speyer, professor and civil aeronautics engineer
Jean-Jacques tells a story about René Magritte's painting 'The depths of pleasure' (1947).
"5000 niños de la guerra were taken care of in Belgium in 1936."
Storytelling by Phara de Aguirre, journalist
Phara tells a story about Victor Leclercq's painting 'Juan' (1936).
"Our accordionist has just played in a minor key."
Storytelling by Jan De Smet, musician
Jan tells a story about Prosper De Troyer's painting 'Miner with accordeon' (1928).
"With the rotting smell of the retting as well"
Storytelling by Baron Piet Vanthemsche, intendant of the Flemish government
Piet tells a story about Albert Saverys' painting 'Rootbakken' (1921).
"I too went to a uniform school for six years."
Storytelling by Annelies Verlinden, politician
Annelies tells a story about Léon Spilliaert's painting 'Girls with white stockings' (1912).
"A piece was cut from this work and sent as proof."
Storytelling by Martin Van Steenbrugge, ex-undercover agent specialised in art theft
Martin tells a story about James Ensor's painting 'My dead mother' (1915).
"We had our spades and buckets with us, and I started to dig a hole."
Storytelling by Christa Verledens, housewife
Christa tells a story about James Ensor's painting 'View of Mariakerke' (1901).
"Then I myself had psychotic, hallucinatory symptoms."
Storytelling by Dirk De Wachter, psychiatrist
Dirk tells a story about Floris Jespers' painting 'Moonstruck man' (1926).
"Did you know your great-grandfather? The chance is small. "
Storytelling by Piet Piron, a former judge
Piet tells a story about Valerius de Saedeleer's paintings 'Winter evening' (1924) and 'Deep winter' (+/- 1927).
"I describe the paintings as they exist in my memory."
Storytelling by Bart Van Peer, employee at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Bart tells a story about Gustave Van de Woestyne's painting 'Azure' (1928).
Storytelling by Chris Brooker
Chris tells stories about Firmin Baes, Evarist De Buck, Eugeen Van Mieghem, Léon De Smet, Jakob Smits, Charles Degroux, Henry De Groux and Rik Wouters.