Tim Van Laere Gallery announces move to new building in Antwerp’s Nieuw Zuid, designed by OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen
After 20 years in the Verlatstraat, Tim Van Laere Gallery announces move to a new 1000m2 building in Antwerp’s Nieuw Zuid designed by OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, opening in Spring 2019.
The new building will be part of a green and sustainable urban development on the Nieuw Zuid, a Triple Living project. The gallery will hold a prominent position in the district, thanks to both the characteristic architecture of OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen and the unique function of the building. The landscape architect Bas Smets leading the Triple Living project will integrate the new gallery space into the neighboring square in the master plan of the district.
"It really becomes a building tailored to art and the artists. They remain the most important motivation for me," explains Tim Van Laere. "I consider Tim Van Laere Gallery a real artist’s gallery, where our main task is to support and facilitate artists. It is very important that the space of the gallery also fits within that story. In recent years, I noticed that the gallery had outgrown the building in the Verlatstraat. The space no longer met the ambitions of the gallery and of our artists. We have presented fantastic exhibitions in the Verlatstraat, but we feel that it is now time for the next step. This is a very important moment for the gallery.“
The new gallery will become a landmark and a focal point within the neighborhood: a bold and attractive urban building situated along the central promenade, inviting people to enter with direct access from the street. As a series of interconnected rooms, the building’s structure and function will be visible from the outside, presenting a space for contemporary art in the centre of Nieuw Zuid. Storage facilities, offices, a white cube, a chapel and a patio will follow each other, offering a variety of exhibition spaces for art to be experienced. The new building will make a statement in its immediate surroundings, and will make art visible and accessible to everybody in the city.
For the new building, Tim Van Laere Gallery have collaborated with the Belgian architects OFFICE David Van Severen Kersten Geers. The assignment was simple: to create a building that serves the function of art.
"An inspiring dialogue with Tim Van Laere Gallery has deepened our perception of art scenography and exhibition spaces", says David Van Severen and Kersten Geers. "With the new gallery on Nieuw Zuid, Tim Van Laere Gallery shows character. The new district, a lively part of the city, needs a difficult, unruly center: a soul. Our building is simple, and 'in your face'. Tim's exciting programming needs a solid background. A set of five rooms create spaces for art. The set of spaces create a silhouette on the square.“
About Tim Van Laere Gallery
Tim Van Laere Gallery is a Belgian contemporary art gallery in Antwerp, founded in 1997 by Tim Van Laere. The gallery focuses on the work of young, up-and-coming artists as well as established international contemporary artists. Since its creation, the gallery has gained a solid reputation on the Belgian and international art scenes, with artists from different countries and a programme that represents all media (sculpture, painting, video, installation, photography). In recent years, important names such as Kati Heck, Jonathan Meese, Adrian Ghenie, Rinus Van de Velde, Franz West, Henk Visch, Friedrich Kunath and Ben Sledsens have exhibited at the gallery. The gallery displays six exhibitions a year and participates in a number of international art fairs.
About OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen
The internationally renowned Brussels office OFFICE Kersten Gees David Van Severen (founded in 2002) is known for its quirky architecture, in which realisations and theoretical projects stand side by side. Since its foundation, OFFICE has grown into one of the most successful and renowned architectural companies in Belgium and on an international level. In 2008 they were invited to design the Belgian pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennial and with their 'Garden Pavilion' project they won the Silver Lion for the most promising young architects at the same Biennale in 2010. In 2014, after they won the competition for the French Swiss media house in Lausanne, RTS, a scaling up followed. Since then the company has been a regular player in various international competitions. OFFICE are currently developing several projects, including: the Crematorium in Ostend; a housing complex in Paris and an arts center in Portland.
In addition to OFFICE, David Van Severen and Kersten Geers are involved in various teaching and research projects, teaching at the EPFL (CH), Harvard (US) and Columbia University (US).
About Nieuw Zuid, a Triple Living project
Sustainability, architecture and quality of life - these are the three pillars on which Nieuw Zuid is built. With the new city district, the City of Antwerp and developer Triple Living offer an answer to the forecasted increase in population. This low-traffic city district is a pioneer in sustainability, located on the south of the Scheldt River, the area is central and accessible, with good public transport connections and smooth access to the city’s major road network. 60% of the site will be allocated to green spaces, including a 6-hectare park, walking and cycling paths and play areas. Nieuw Zuid is a fully-fledged part of the city, ideal for living, working, shopping and relaxing.
