How do we care for architecture? How can we understand the emotional labour put into the design of buildings? How do we collaborate with inhabitants and material producers, crafts(wo)men and co-workers who shape and reshape architecture in a caring way? The Flanders Architecture Institute and De Singel invited Ghent-based Marie-José Van Hee architecten to explore these questions in line with the overarching theme of care, defining the architectural programme during the 2022-2023 season.
Marie-José Van Hee architecten
The work of Marie-José Van Hee architecten is known for its precision in light, material, colour, dimension and detail. We can find the manifestation of care in their considerately configured domestic spaces, situated gently in their urban or rural contexts or the public space designs that invite participation and celebration.
Almost thirty years after her first solo exhibition, Marie-José Van Hee is coming back to De Singel with a series of spatial interventions in the exhibition hall as well as in and around the arts campus. Her interventions will be a means of taking care of Léon Stynen’s architecture by making visible the spatial qualities of the building and its relationship with the arts.
A Walk
GR5A – Long route
Grande Randonnée
Marie-José Van Hee and her office ideated a parcours through the DE SINGEL arts campus as an extension of the GR5A (Grande Randonnée 5A). This long-distance walking trail stretches across the European continent and passes Desguinlei, bending around the arts campus onto Jan van Rijswijcklaan. A detour from this trail leads you to an exploration of artworks that have a permanent place on the campus (‘On Sculpture’) and to temporary additions selected for this occasion, engaging in a close dialogue with the building and its context.
PR5A – Short route
Petite Randonnée
Counter-intuitively, they focus less on the representation of the architectural production of recent years. Instead, they prioritize the bodily experience of spaces on site by installing a structure as a temporary visitor in the exhibition hall, the home and garden of Marie-José in Varkensstraat, Ghent. The exhibition hall, a Petite Randonnée, becomes an invitation to rest, pause, consider carefully and at length, but also learn and get a sense of the inner garden that Marie-José cultivates, in close relation with her friends and family, colleagues, artists, contractors and clients.
Video-interview with Marie-José Van Hee, Koen Van Synghel and Sofie De Caigny.
Marie-José Van Hee - Episode TV Documentary 'De Architecte' (dutch)
Guided tour
Do you want to find out more? Book a guide through Expeditie De Stad! A guided visit is also possible outside regular opening hours.
Practical info: Price: € 80
Maximum 20 people per guide.
29.11.2022
Opening programme
On 29 November, the Flanders Architecture Institute and DE SINGEL open the exhibition Marie-José Van Hee architecten. A Walk, in De Singel in Antwerp. Visit the exhibition hall that has been temporarily transformed into Marie-José Van Hee's home and be surprised by the series of interventions that the architect commissioned on the arts campus. A walk is a unique discovery into the world of this grande dame of Belgian architecture.
The opening programme at 8pm in the Blue Hall is SOLD OUT.
You are more than welcome to visit the exhibition from 7pm.
more information
Practical
- DATE:
30.11.2022-21.05.2023
- VERNISSAGE:
29.11.2022 SOLD OUT
- OPEN:
From Wednesday to Sunday - 02:00 pm until 7:00 pm and during evening performances until 10:00 pm
- ADMISSION:
€5 (tickets online and on site)
€0 (students, -19-year, kansentarief/omnio-statuut and ICOM, tickets only on site) - LOCATION:
De Singel (Expo)
- ADDRESS:
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp (BE)
- CURATOR:
Marie-José Van Hee architecten
- PROJECTLEADER:
Marie-José Van Hee and Sam De Vocht (Marie-José Van Hee architecten)
- SCENOGRAPHY:
Marie-José Van Hee, Sam De Vocht, Ben Rea, Margot De Caster (Marie-José Van Hee architecten)
- PRODUCTION:
Marie-José Van Hee architecten, Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi), De Singel
- WITH THE SUPPORT OF:
the Flemish Community
- WITH THE MATERIAL SUPPORT FROM:
Van den Berk Boomkwekerijen, Seghers landschapsarchitecten, De Coene Products, ADW Schrijnwerken
DE SINGEL, like everyone else, takes a series of measures to reduce high electricity and heating costs. With the large-scale infrastructure of 48,000 m², 2 large halls, a theatre studio, a dance studio, several foyers, rehearsal rooms, a Conservatory, ... it is necessary.
One of these measures is a break from Monday 19 December 2022 until Sunday 15 January 2023. No public activities will take place during this period. The expo will be temporarily closed.