Recyclart opens a short-lived museum of photography

One evening, eighty Belgian photographers, and 1,600 interested visitors. Recyclart has big ideas for the museum of photography in Brussels. And justifiably so.

To find a photography museum in Belgium, you have to drive to Charleroi or Antwerp. Brussels, the city where Flemish, Walloon, and local photographers meet one another, has to make do without a place of encounter, infrastructure, or exhibition spaces. “Nothing is happening in Brussels because there is no money. That is nonsense,” Recyclart’s Vincen Beeckman tells us, “It’s just an excuse not to do anything. It is always possible to do something, even with limited funds.”

“The Absent Museum”, the exhibition that is currently running at Wiels, deals with a similar theme. Brussels not only has to make do without a photo museum, but there is no museum for contemporary art either. This is unworthy of a European capital. Beeckman: “There is no time to wait for a beautiful building. We have to be proactive.”

Recyclart is bringing together eighty Belgian photographers at the “photo museum” for one evening to kick-start the Recyclart Holidays festival. The number is still growing. “After this edition, there will be two more evenings and then we’ll go for a hundred,” Beeckman smiles. Magnum photographer Bieke Depoorter will be there, as will Jan Rosseel, Sébastien Van Malleghem, Colin Delfosse, Max Pinckers, and Zaza Bertrand, to name but a few.

Eighty photographers who offer a sample of Belgian photography. The participants also include some photographers from the Marolles district like Georges Van Georges. Beeckman: “It was no easy thing to convince everyone to take part. We looked for a new way to exhibit. We don’t hang photos on the wall but have opted for a totally new concept to present photos. Explaining that took some time.”

Beeckman doesn’t really reveal how visitors will see the photos. It is supposed to be a surprise. But we do know that rummaging in boxes at the flea market on the place du Jeu de Balle is an inspiration. "Recyclart is located in the Marolles. There is thus an obvious link. You have to be able to hold photos. Looking at photographs is a tactile activity.”

For once there will be no signs saying “please do not touch”. The visitors will be allowed to handle and rummage through the photos. Beeckman: “It would be great if at the end of the evening, the photos are well-thumbed by many hands. The smudges and creases will give the work extra cachet. It’s more alive.”

We’ve seen tremendous interest on Facebook. 1,600 people have indicated that they would like to visit the museum of photography. Will that not cause logistical problems? “You have to wait in line at the butcher’s too,” Beeckman concludes laconically.

> Musée de la Photographie de Bruxelles / Museum van de Fotografie van Brussel. 29/06, 17.00 > 23.00, Recyclart, Brussels