M Leuven presents regional talent
On 29 June 2024, M Leuven will open the exhibition ‘Open M | Hidden in plain sight’, featuring work of artists from the region of Leuven. Curated by guest curator Brenda Guesnet, this exhibition features the work of 12 artists who draw inspiration from their everyday surroundings. The exhibition invites visitors to discover the beauty and complexity of everyday objects and situations. With the opening of ‘Open M’, coinciding with the presentation of the ‘Collection of M’, M Leuven celebrates the start of summer as a full museum with something to discover in every hall.
For the seventh time, M Leuven is opening its halls to talent from the region. "With the biennial open call, M gives artists from our province the chance to show their work in our museum to a large audience. We give them space and visibility in order to stimulate their artistry,’ said Bert Cornillie, Alderman for Culture and Chairman of M’s Board.
Artists from the region in the spotlight
Guest curator Brenda Guesnet selected 12 artists from 390 entries who share the ability to evoke moments of discovery. Inspired by their everyday surroundings, they transform ordinary objects and situations into extraordinary works of art. Koen Barra, Eva Claus, Arthur Cordier, An Devroe, Hanne Geerinckx and Irma Maria Marcel Janssens look at seemingly inconspicuous details of their surroundings and elevate objects to which little attention is paid. In turn, Maaike Beckx, Sigurrós G. Björnsdóttir, Bart Hendrickx, Katelijne Laroy, Carla Meertens and Delphine Somers integrate fantasy elements into the everyday, creating new dream worlds.
"I’m delighted to be working with twelve exceptional artists for Open M, whose diverse practices are brought together in an exhibition entitled ‘Hidden in plain sight’. Mouse traps, supermarket receipts, crooked nails and abandoned driveways transcend their banality and invite us to look for the peculiarities and hidden layers of everyday life. The exhibition speaks to the specificity of living and working in this region and invites the public to experience their own environment – and perhaps the museum itself – anew." - Brenda Guesnet
A festive opening and more
The opening of ‘Open M I Hidden in plain sight’ will be celebrated with a festive programme on 29 June. This event marks not only the launch of the exhibition, but also the opening of the new collection presentation. The same day will mark the start of the Summer of M, with a Summer Garden, a Summer Bar and numerous other activities. In addition, there are several ongoing exhibitions, including ‘Alias’, ‘A Space Begins, With Speaking’ by Sarah Smolders and M resident Lola Daels' show moment.
With the variety of exhibitions at M Leuven, from emerging and regional talent to a group exhibition with international artists, the museum offers a rich and diverse selection. This summer, therefore, visitors will have the chance to (re)discover M in all its totality.
Artists
Koen Barra, Maaike Beckx, Sigurrós G. Björnsdóttir, Eva Claus, Arthur Cordier, An Devroe, Hanne Geerinckx, Bart Hendrickx, Irma Maria Marcel Janssens, Katelijne Laroy, Carla Meertens, Delphine Somers
About the curator
For each edition of ‘Open M’, M invites a guest curator. For this edition, it is Brenda Guesnet (Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany). She has been curator and deputy director at IKOB - Museum of Contemporary Art in Eupen since 2021. There, she creates exhibitions and coordinates the museum's public and educational programmes.
Praktische informatie
The exhibition ‘Open M | Hidden in plain sight’ will be festively opened on Saturday 29 June. At the same time, M will open its new collection presentation and the Summer of M. For the occasion, there will be parties in and around the museum all afternoon.
‘Open M | Hidden in plain sight’ runs from 29.06.24 to 27.10.24. More info and tickets can be found at mleuven.be/open-m.
This edition of Open M was made possible with the support of Amplo.
Bert Cornillie
Florien Dooms
Sophie Moffat