Frans Masereel Centre becomes MASEREEL and launches a new international biennial of contemporary art
RHIZOMA, from 24 May until 13 July 2025
Press release
Under embargo until 10 March
Over the years, the Frans Masereel Centre in Kasterlee has grown into an international contemporary arts centre with a dual programme, at the intersection of development, creation, reflection and dialogue. Besides being a residency place for artists, it also organises creation commissions, book projects, exhibitions and artist editions.
Now the Frans Masereel Centre announces a new name: MASEREEL. In doing so, it embraces its rich history, and its call sign. At the same time, it makes it clear that it is not a knowledge centre about visual artist Frans Masereel, nor does it see itself as an institute - or centre. MASEREEL is a perpetual start-up, where the artist - as creator and as figure - is central.
‘The choice of a new name, MASEREEL, is not an end point, but rather a source of self-reflection to permanently question our own operation, to detect new developments and needs among artists and the world around us, and to both allow new initiatives to germinate and draw attention to what is less obvious.’
— Stijn Maes, artistiek directeur MASEREEL
MASEREEL immediately announces the new biennial exhibition project RHIZOMA. RHIZOMA is an international biennial of contemporary art taking place on the site and in the immediate vicinity of MASEREEL Arts Centre.
The first edition will take place from 24 May to 13 July 2025 and will showcase new and historical work that speaks of vulnerability, self-expression and resilience. Spread across various indoor and outdoor locations in green Kasterlee, within walking distance of each other, videos, sculptures, paintings, works on paper and words alternate.
An artist-centred initiative, RHIZOMA focuses on innovative and experimental artistic practices that explore the essence of art and our world, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and insights, as well as stimulate reflection and dialogue.
RHIZOMA thus offers visitors a surprising, challenging and connecting arts trail. To this end, MASEREEL collaborates with local associations, builds multi-year partnerships with artists, and links brand-new creations with recent and historical work never before seen in Belgium.
RHIZOMA
24 May - 13 July 2025
Starting and finishing point: MASEREEL
Masereeldijk 5
2460 Kasterlee
New website: www.masereel.art (Online as of 10 March)
Press preview: Thursday 22 May, 11am
Participating artists:
Amalia Ulman, Amar Kanwar, Andrea Büttner, Clara Spilliaert, Corita Kent, Jeremy Deller, Otobong Nkanga, Pei-Hsuan Wang, Sawangwongse Yawnghwe, Wim Cuyvers, en anderen.
Artistic director: Stijn Maes
More information: https://fransmasereelcentrum.be
Press contact:
Micha Pycke
Club Paradis
+32 (0)486 680 070
micha@clubparadis.be
