The art world loves a DJ and free champagne, but what happens when the party fog lifts and weat the work?
Let’s tune out the hype and turn up the volume on what matters: the art itself and creative spaces that prioritise people over posturing. Art’s true power isn’t in the spectacle, but in its capacity to challenge, unite, and last.
HOT TAKE
Art is increasingly treated as a lifestyle accessory. These days, going to an opening is less about art and more about being seen.
In that context, branding and DJ sets make sense — the event becomes less a cultural experience and more a way to signal alignment with a tailored, aspirational identity (looking at you
Why does it feel like every cultural event now requires a DJ party as its initiation ritual? It’s certainly the art world’s go-to formula. But let’s be honest, when the wine flows to the beat of a guy behind his Launchpad, the whole thing has lost its point.
That reliance on the party and spectacle says a lot about us, too. There’s an obvious discomfort with confronting things that require focus, interpretation, or real vulnerability.
Cultural events are now engineered as social safety nets and networking opportunities, offering enough noise, alcohol, and ambient hype to cover the fact that many people no longer know how to connect over intellectual or aesthetic ideas.
The DJ doesn’t just fill the space; they fill the silence where conversation and curiosity used to live.
So what can we do about it?
Start by giving audiences more credit. In a world that often feels fragmented and isolating, people are starving for real connection. Why not lean into the discomfort of silence? Embrace the stillness. Let the weight of a challenging piece hang in the air. Trust the art. Trust the audience.
And to the curators, art fairs, and event organisers — what happened to being provocateurs? The most electric moments in art history came from artists doing bold, uncompromising things in the name of expression.
If you want a music moment, hire a musician — or a DJ, for that matter—but make them the focus, not background noise. Art’s power lies in the questions it raises, the discomfort it provokes, the clarity it insists upon. That’s what lingers — not the free drinks or the guy hiding behind his MacBook Pro.
ON MY RADAR
Speaking of music, let’s celebrate the power of live performance. This weekend, the Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend offers a thoughtful cross-section of contemporary jazz across Brussels' public squares and cultural venues.
With over 150 free performances, the festival highlights both established musicians and emerging voices, reaffirming the city’s deep-rooted connection to jazz as a living, evolving art form.
The Brussels Street Photography Festival returns May 28–June 1 at Reset Ateliers, with five days of exhibitions, workshops, and urban inspiration featuring international stars like Jane Evelyn Atwood, Sabiha Çimen, and Nikos Economopoulos.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picked up a camera, join one of the free artist-led photo walks through the streets of Brussels and get advice on technique and composition from professionals.
Art has left the gallery that’s the tagline for The Rooms, Brussels’ newest art fair. Not to be mistaken for the cult-classic by Tommy Wiseau, 30+ galleries take over hotel rooms at Mix Brussels from May 22–25, turning them into immersive showcases of collectable art and design.
Magical Realism: Imagining Natural Dis/order at WIELS explores how myth and science intertwine in our attempts to make sense of nature. With works by Joan Jonas, Otobong Nkanga, and Cecilia Vicuña, it reimagines our ecological entanglements and the fragile systems we live within.
The Kunstenfestivaldesarts continues until May 31st, featuring 34 projects and 16 world premieres across 30 venues. This year’s theme focuses on poetry, ecstasy, and the intangible, with highlights including works by Miet Warlop and Tarek Atoui. The festival’s central hub is the Beursschouwburg, offering performances, an open-air cinema, and a free nightlife program.
The KBR Museum reopens this weekend with a medieval twist — polyphonic music, 15th-century life reenactments, and hands-on workshops. There’s even a DJ-led opening party (see, I told you). Swing by on May 31 to try calligraphy and pigment-making like a true medieval miniaturist — all included with admission.
Antwerp Art Weekend returns May 29–June 1 along with dynamic programs at venues like Kunsthal Extra City and Axel Vervoordt Gallery. The event’s OFF Program adds 15 independent initiatives, such as site-specific works by Archipel and exhibitions blending art and fashion by AAIMACHINE, offering a diverse and dynamic experience across the city. See the full program here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Rotterdam’s newly opened Fenix Museum explores global migration through contemporary art, personal stories, and immersive installations.
Housed in a historic shipping warehouse, the museum features standout elements like a 30-meter “Tornado” staircase and exhibitions by artists such as Steve McQueen and Shilpa Gupta. It offers a powerful, human-centred perspective on migration as a universal experience.
After years of anticipation and postponed timelines, the opening of KANAL Centre Pompidou was finally confirmed for November 2026. Set within a former Citroën garage, the space will be Brussels’ largest hub for contemporary art and performance.
In collaboration with Paris’s Centre Pompidou, the project merges industrial heritage with bold design and cross-disciplinary programming.
The Flemish Community Commission has created nearly 400 affordable, high-quality studios for artists across Brussels. They invested €1.4 million to address a long-standing shortage of dedicated workspaces. Former care homes and industrial sites were transformed into cooperative art spaces, several of which opened to the public last weekend.
