Colourful Euro Medley

Have you visited the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament’s (EP) new visitor centre yet? It might be worth stopping in because it is free, and if you manage to master the advanced audio guide and take the time to find your way between the 23 languages and countries, you can learn a lot about the history of the European Union and the operations of the European institutions. The Parlamentarium stands in the shadow of the European Parliament and has been installed in a large, interactive environment fitted with touchscreens, digital surround screens, a cafeteria, a shop, and all the works. The display covers three floors, and until 31 October the tour of the permanent presentation ends with a small temporary exhibition: “Art@Europarl”. For the first time, the EP is displaying a selection of works from its own art collection to the general public. The EP has been collecting its own artworks since former president of the EP Simone Veil took the initiative to do so in 1980. Since the last acquisition round, all 27 EU countries are represented, and the collection comprises over 600 paintings, sculptures, and other pieces. For those who may think that art and/or the EU are not a good idea, we ought to tell you that the average price for a purchased artwork was 5,767 euro between 2008 and 2010 – a reasonable figure, even in times of crisis. The majority of the works are exhibited in the European Parliament in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxemburg, but they can also be viewed online at www.europarl.europa.eu/art-collection. But now, until the end of next month, non-parliamentarians can also admire them “in the flesh”, as it were. The show, however, is rather small; not large enough, in fact, to make a special detour to see it. But consider it a cultural finale to the permanent political section of the Parlamentarium. There is just enough room – what a surprise – for one piece from each member state. A large screen shows a number of additional pieces that did not fit. The emphasis is squarely on contemporary work dating from the late 1970s until today. Antonio Nardone was approached to curate the exhibition. He publishes the art magazine Artenews, has his own gallery in Sint-Gillis/Saint-Gilles, and recently organised the Off Art Fair during Art Brussels. His selection is intended to convey that however diverse the selection of artists, and the particularity of their work, they are all rooted in a common (European) artistic history. That is why the arrangement of some of the pieces still refers to modern art movements such as cubism, fauvism, or impressionism. Belgium is represented by the Ukkel/Uccle-born artist Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005), whose tapestry Automne is on display. Works by the British conceptual artist Helen Chadwick and the Italian pop-art artist Valerio Adami can also be seen in this colourful Euro medley.

ART@EUROPARL
>31/10, ma/lu/Mo 13 > 18.00, di/ma/Tu & wo/me/We 9 > 20.00, do/je/Th & vr/ve/Fr 9 > 18.00, w-e 10 > 17.00,
gratis/gratuit/free, PARLAMENTARIUM, rue Wiertzstraat 60, Brussel/Bruxelles, parlamentarium@europarl.europa.eu, www.europarl.europa.eu