One of the things I love most about architecture is its ability to converge different scenarios or functions, that seem incompatible at first. Who would have thought to combine a private home with a public activity, such as an art-, architecture- and design gallery, before visiting valerie_traan? It was Veerle Wenes’ longtime dream to live and work in an ambiguous building in which art and design objects can be presented and experienced at the same time.
After LENS°ASS Architecten successfully completed the renovation in 2010, the building of valerie_traan became reminiscent of its hostess: inviting, open, subtle yet personal. Entering the gallery, means entering Veerle’s home. When I went to see the current exhibition, I didn’t feel like a visitor but more like a guest that was welcomed to join conversations, to ask questions, to discuss along, … It was the idea of creating a meeting place, where creative minds can exchange thoughts and where interdisciplinary knowledge can be shared, that made Veerle choose to intertwine her home and gallery. The subtle (glass) partition between the open exhibition space and more intimate, semi-public living quarters enable that, one moment, you are wandering through the gallery and, another moment, you are chatting at the dinner table. Because of the sober architecture of Bart Lens, the residence and gallery merge into each other, creating a new scenario, new possibilities and new encounters.
Currently, valerie_traan hosts the exhibition ‘A change of scenery’ by designer Sofie Lachaert and visual artist Luc d’Hanis. As previous exhibiting artists of the gallery, this creative duo works on the boundary of art, craft and design. Their objects, furniture and installations consist of everyday items that underwent a subtle transformation, changing their significance and perception and giving them an unexpected beauty. By not only displaying these art and design objects in her open exhibition space, but simultaneously using them in her home, Veerle also wants to prove their utilitarian value.
Personally, I would love to adopt the ‘duobergère’ or two chairs, standing so close together that they melted into one. Because, like the building, they create a new scenario of encounters when brought together.
objects & subjects
Reyndersstraat 12
2000 Antwerpen
thu_sat 2 – 7 pm
by Sofie Lachaert & Luc d’Hanis
14.02.2013 – 20.04.2013
at Valerie_traan
Text by Eva.
Pictures by Eva.