Towards a contemporary art museum in Brussels
Brussels-based Yamila Idrissi, member of the Flemish Parliament for SP.A, can take the credit for gathering 150 Brussels opinion leaders to discuss the idea of a contemporary art museum in the capital
Politician finds support for museum in Brussels' canal zone
Brussels-based Yamila Idrissi (pictured), member of the Flemish Parliament for SP.A, can take the credit for gathering 150 Brussels opinion leaders to discuss the idea of a Museum Aan het Kanaal (Museum on the Canal), better known simply as MAK.
After the modern art wing of the city’s Royal Museum of Fine Arts closed in 2011, Idrissi made it one of her main goals to raise public support for the project, which she thinks could be the catalyst the district needs to become a new tourist hotspot.
Since the public debate at Kaaitheater two weeks ago, there’s also movement on a political level – so the dream may come true sooner than expected. In an article in Le Soir, Michel Draguet, the director of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, said he was expecting parts of his museum’s rich modern and contemporary art collection – now stored in vaults – to be on display in the city’s Dexia Art Centre from early 2016.
There seems to be consensus among politicians in the Brussels government that this temporary location should be replaced by a long-term solution – in the canal zone. The main contenders are an empty site at the Ninoofsepoort, where a new building can be constructed, and the Citroen garage, near Yser. Both have potential, according to Idrissi, who says the broad support for her plan certainly opened doors: “The successful debate in Kaaitheater showed it’s not only my dream or the dream of my inner circle, but one of many people in Brussels.”
City of treasures
The seeds of her vision were planted by indignation: “Brussels is a city full of artistic treasures, but, like its subterranean river Zenne, their beauty is unfortunately hidden out of sight,” she wrote in her project proposal. “James Ensor, Paul Delvaux, Marcel Broodthaers are all well-known Brussels artists. But to see their work, one has to go to Paris, London or New York. It is almost incredible that a city like Brussels, capital of Europe and Belgium, has no museum of modern and contemporary art.”
It could become a new centre, making a real connection between the city centre, Molenbeek and Anderlecht
Potentially, the new museum will have at least 10,000 modern and contemporary works to draw on: It’s not only the Royal Museum of Fine Arts’ collection that’s hidden in cellars. “A lot of state-owned companies as well as private collectors could contribute, too,” says Idrissi. “Belgacom has an interesting collection. The National Bank has 1,600 pieces of art. And what about the banks, which were saved by taxpayers’ money? We can at least make an agreement with them to show their art.”
The museum could also have a social dynamic, she believes: “The canal zone is in full development. It could become a new centre, making a real connection between the city centre, Molenbeek and Anderlecht.”
Idrissi makes the parallel with London’s Tate Modern, which transformed a neglected strip of land along the Thames. “It gave London an incredible international billboard, but it also literally created a bridge between the city and the South Bank, where previously tourists had never been seen.”
What happened to the South Bank can also happen to the canal zone in Brussels, she says. “Attracting extra visitors will create extra economic activity and can boost local employment.” She realises that it’s a long-term project, so if all is finished by 2020, she would be happy: “I like to dream; but as a politician, I’m also realistic.”
Photo: Reporters
