'Het Kunstuur' an initiative by brothers Hans and Joost Bourlon, has existed for five years. A format that resonates and has grown into a successful formula. In small groups of 8 to 10 people, you are guided in exactly one hour past unique paintings, masterworks by Belgian painters from the period 1850-1950. This is supplemented with atmospheric music composed by Dirk Brossé, unique lighting and at each painting the visitor learns more about the life of the painter, the history of the work's creation and well-known and lesser-known Flemings tell their connection to a painting. You receive a headset. Thus it becomes an intimate exploration.
Those who have threshold anxiety about large museums and the overwhelming range with choice stress will find their match here. Het Kunstuur clearly fills a niche and started in November 2019. No fewer than 268,000 visitors came through its doors in recent years. The last days saw quite a rush from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The combination of authenticity and visual splendor makes this project unstoppable. This overwhelming interest in culture, visual art in this case, can only be applauded.
Crème de la crème
This eighth exhibition is a jubilee edition with the best works from previous editions. The honor of cutting the ribbon fell to mayor Bart Somers. He emphasized how things can fortunately come together. The Holy Spirit Chapel, right opposite the Sint-Romboutkathedraal, had just been restored. It was an open question what this beautiful space would be used for. As it happened, Hans and Joost Bourlon knocked on the door. They were looking for an atmospheric and authentic space for their artistic plans and were able to give the historic building a new future. The city could only appreciate this initiative and offer a chance. Thanks to Het Kunstuur, the chapel has developed into a cultural hotspot. The successive exhibitions are an added value for the city. People don't only come to Mechelen for Het Kunstuur, but often take a whole day for it and explore the city further: the Hof van Busleyden, Dossin barracks, the many beautiful church interiors, catch another performance or concert. The hospitality sector benefits as well. Meanwhile there are counterparts in Hasselt and Roeselare, but Mechelen remains the locomotive of Het Kunstuur.
Jubilee edition
This jubilee edition is qualitatively an expensive one with rare loans from private collections and major museums. Fauvism, realism, impressionism, expressionism… painting art finds itself. There is, among other things, an entire wall with work by Rik Wouters as a tribute to this brilliant and talented native of Mechelen. He led a short and intense life with his muse Nel and left a fascinating and masterful artistic legacy. Characteristic of his oeuvre is an abundance of color and authentic simple, moving subjects. Artists see misery and joy and capture that on canvas. Paintings that whisper and suggest with all different narratives. James Ensor is also represented with three works. Intriguing stories go with them. They pull the visitor with force and energy into the painting. Oostendenaar Arno was persuaded a few months before his death to comment on a painting by Jean Brusselmans and James Ensor. Integrating this again into the exhibition is a salute to this fantastic performer and fellow townsman of Ensor. The music of Dirk Brossé creates with refinement an atmospheric soundscape that sharpens emotions. Frank Van Laecke conducts the overall direction and subtly provides accents here and there.
The exhibition also includes some stylish works by Valerius De Saedeleer. He was able to capture the silence of nature like no other. One of his paintings receives a unique interpretation through the eyes of marathon runner Bashir Abdi. The mystery of identification that takes place. Further a poignant painting by Constant Permeke with striking framing by opera director and choreographer Alain Platel. With a work by Emile Claus, lawyer Wendy Vanhees tells her connection to the painting. There are parallels in their life courses and that creates connection. They share wounds. The painting gives her strength again.
It is also interesting that the versatility and evolution of certain painters is highlighted. I won't reveal more.
The chosen works form a mirror of life in its greatest diversity, with enough details to satisfy the connoisseur and make the layman crave more. Go and see it: visually, aurally and emotionally it will be an enrichment.