The Free University of Brussels (ULB) has launched an exhibition that explores the relationship with self-image in times of social media.
Titled "I am here," the exhibition will feature self-portraits and contemporary digital practices such as selfies. The event invites the public to consider what distinguishes a self-portrait from a selfie and the social, artistic, and political uses of self-representation.
The exhibition blends works from the 19th century to the present day, contemporary creations, and interactive objects and installations, at the intersection of art and scientific research, exploring themes such as self-presentation, the creation of sets, the activist dimensions of self-representation, and its potential pitfalls and commercialisation.
The ULB also stresses its intention to embed "I am here" in an approach that is simultaneously engaged, playful, and educational. Mirrors, a photo booth, and a library for both adults and children have been integrated into the installation, all within a framework of reflection on image rights and media literacy.
The exhibition also showcases works from Belgian collections, including the Schaerbeek municipal collection, the Mons museum complex, and the Charleroi Museum of Photography.
Emerging artists from the Brussels Region, selected following a call for applications, are also featured.
Developed in collaboration with the City of Brussels, the exhibition opens on Friday at Espace Vanderborght, 50 rue de l'Ecuyer, and will run until 31 May.
