Introducing La Maison de Rendez-Vous in Brussels – talking to Chris Sharp
Tomorrow is the opening of La Maison the Rendez Vous in Brussels. A new art gallery / art space run by four galleries:LambdaLambdaLambda, Lulu, MISAKO&ROSEN, Park View/Paul Soto. Lulu’s Chris Sharp is asked about the plans.
What is La Maison de Rendez-Vous – a meeting place set up by four galleries from different continents? The online text sounds good: ‘a synthetic crossroads, a semi-open source program, a modest node among the vibrant artscape of Brussels’
Something like that. We see it as both a meeting place, and quite literally a time share. The idea is to have a rotating program drawn from each respective program which develops its own over all synergy.
Whose initiative is this? What was the need?
This started from a discussion that all of the involved spaces had in a different places around the world. It’s the byproduct of a peer group formalizing their bond, bringing their energy together and trying to become more than themselves. As for the need, we figure something like this makes more sense than doing more art fairs. It makes sense because it is more about committing to a single place and context, as opposed to a multiplicity of contexts.
Why Brussels? The just one hour away art capital from the bigger metropolitan art capitals? Did you find a nice space? Which neighbourhood?
Brussels is an art capital! And it is very reasonable with regard to rents compared to the other European art capitals. Plus one half LambdaLambdaLambda lives here. It is a beautiful, very small place in Saint Gilles.
Kate Spencer Stewart Untitled, 2018 Oil on canvas 47 × 47 inches (119.38 × 119.38 cm)
Lui Shtini E.E., 2015 Oil on board, 61 x 76 cm Photocredit: Elisabeth Bernstein Photography Courtesy of Kate Werble Gallery, New York and LambdaLambdaLambda, Prishtina.
What is the plan? Monthly shows? Who will be doing what? Each after the other or all mixed-up?
We will be doing a show every two months. We will all be doing everything. Rotating plan, but starting with a group show tomorrow night!
Will you bring Lulu to Europe? And what does that mean? Could you describe what you do in Mexico?
This is me effectively bringing Lulu to Europe. This means Lulu providing certain artists who have never shown in Europe with the opportunity to show here. What I do in Mexico is run a hybrid project space with a very curatorial program.
Anna Schachinger Nora's Sofa (readers), 2018 Oil on linen, 56 x 42 cm
Shimon Minamiakwa Memories of Egypt, 2018 Acrylic, spray paint on canvas Left 72.7x72.7cm Right 80.5x65.5cm Photocredit: Kei Okano
Will it get a local director?
For the moment, no. Just us.
What do you expect from it? Could it be a model for the future, also on other locations?
Aside from further developing community, we see it as an experimental space to try things out. We are not quite sure what to expect. It could be a model! As for other locations, we plan on participating in art fairs as LA MAISON DE RENDEZ-VOUS. For instance, we will be participating in the forthcoming edition of Art Brussels.
„La peinture abstraite“, Shimon Minamikawa, Anna Schachinger, Lui Shtini, Kate Spencer Stewart, La Maison de Rendez-Vous, Brussels, 18.1.– 16.2.2019 More online
