What’s on this week: 17 to 23 January

Flagship photography gallery Contretype presents French contemporary artist François Bellabas’ first exhibition in Belgium unloadingoveredrive. Working between Paris and Los Angeles, he investigates the intersections of image, technology and digital environments. Built around questions concerning artificial intelligence (AI) – alluring, threatening or simply a useful tool – the show includes videos, installations, even sculptures as well as photography. Bellabas, a technology lover and photographer aiming to get the best from AI, opens the gallery’s artistic programme for 2025, which focuses on landscape in contemporary photography. Until 23 March, 4A Cité Fontainas (Saint-Gilles)

Migration is the focus of Franco-Brazilian artist Sebastião Salgado’s haunting selection of black-and-white photographs in the exhibition Humanité en movement from his Terra and Exodes series. The photojournalist’s passion for the human condition has resulted in photographs of everyone from French immigrant workers to Latin American peasants that he met while travelling to more than 100 countries. Run by the NGO Frères des Hommes, this edition also features art installations by exhibition curator and artist Aline Yasmin on forced migration and a 20 February film debate showing Amazad and Historias de Papel. Until 7 March, 91 Rue de Locht (Schaerbeek)

Surreal, far-fetched and unexpected are words used to describe Lommel-born artist Kasper Bosmans. Based on biological motifs and symbolic language, his fantastical art includes horses sinking in medieval battles or turtles hibernating under the ice in the Little Ice Age. Fondation CAB’s new exhibition highlights his works in marble resulting from a year-long residency at Zulte-based natural stone company Van Den Weghe, that aims to “set the tone in stone”. Also on show is the equally offbeat oeuvre of barrier-breaking, street-art influenced artist-in-residence Nicolas Bourthoumieux. Until 15 March, Rue Borrens 32-34 (Ixelles)

How soon is now? is the Maison des Arts’ new show, featuring the work of 14 young artists and designers not originally from Brussels, but living in the capital. Experimentation and freedom are the ‘maître mots’ here. The art conveys not only personal histories, but also the influences of the artists’ adopted city. For curator Eline Dewit, “the result is a rich dialogue between ancient and modern”. The oeuvres also play with the elusive nature of time, as, she says, “The ‘now’ is always happening, but it slips away as soon as we recognise it.” Until 26 January, Chaussée de Haecht 147 (Schaerbeek)

The Filipino diaspora is one of the largest in the world and Belgium is home to a large community of its overseas workers, yet their voice is rarely heard. The exhibition Archipelago Abroad by the Migration Museum (MMM) is a fascinating exploration of their individual stories. Through a series of visual, auditory, and narrative testimonials, this show sheds light on the journeys, challenges, and successes of members of the Philippine community living here. It also invites visitors to reflect on how these individual experiences play a role in Belgium’s broader migration. 17 January to 1 March, Rue des Ateliers 17 (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean)

Contemporary dance is on the menu at Bozar in a double bill by Brussels-based American performance artists Bryana Fritz and Daniel Linehan. Each deliver a solo performance: Lineham’s iconic 2007 piece Not About Everything is focused on the purity of the body’s movement via frenzied and obsessive gyrating, while Fritz’s Submission Submission is a gallery of portraits of medieval saints that plays on her polymorphous skills. 20 January 18.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

The Brussels Shakespeare Society presents Julius Caesar, one of the bard’s greatest historical tragedies. The drama, which raises timeless questions about the nature of power and ambition, is set in 21st century Italy as a cautionary tale against the dangers of populism and polarisation. “The audience can expect abstract representations of politics through movement as well as some audience interaction,” says director Emily Bowles. 21-25 January 20.00; 25 January 14.00, Centre Culturel Jacques Franck, Chaussée de Waterloo 94 (Saint-Gilles)

After its inaugural success last year, Ceramic Brussels returns to Tour & Taxis for a second and even showier edition. The contemporary art fair’s programme has grown to more than 65 Belgian and international galleries, a focus on Norway, a solo show by guest artist Elizabeth Jaeger from the US, and a group show by the 10 laureates of the 2025 ceramic Brussels art prize. Committed to championing a new wave of ceramic artists, the event is focused on encouraging collectors to acquire new works while promoting the art form at a European level. 22-26 January, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

In a second round of activities fostering cultural exchange between European and Arab countries, Bozar hosts films in the series Echoes of Equality, which explores gender relations. Staged in the arts centre’s new cinema hall The 23, it highlights films and discussions of crucial contemporary societal issues, particularly in the fields of politics, ecology and society. Filmmakers Leïla Albayati and Myriam El Haj are among the participants and famous French-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani presents her new novel J’emporterai le feu. 22-28 January, Rue Ravenstein 23

The annual film event Festival En ville screens creative and experimental documentaries exploring the question of territories and borders, real and imaginary. Encompassing competitions, director focuses, a Super 8 mini festival and encounters and talks, this is a multifaceted and inclusive festival that engages with important society debates in a convivial atmosphere. Among the world cinema docs screened are Fuga (pictured) by Belgian Bénédicte Lienard and Peruvian Mary Jimenez, which explores Peru’s dark past. Venues around the city include Palace, Nova and Galéries cinemas. 23 January to 2 February, multiple locations

Panto season enlivens the post-holiday season with Cinderella the upcoming production by the ECC theatre group. The family-favourite rag-to-riches tale bursting with an enthusiastic and  lovable cast of characters is especially adapted for Belgian audiences. It’s full of laughs, songs and spectacular costumes and is guaranteed to make you laugh. 24-26 January, Auderghem Cultural Centre, Boulevard du Souverain 183 (Auderghem)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Immerse yourself in the world of one of the most influential composers of all time at the Bach Academy Bruges. This annual celebration of the master of Baroque music features an eclectic programme. At its centre is the Collegium Vocale Gent under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe, who are joined by Le Consort and musicians such as virtuoso reed player Joachim Badenhorst and talented guitarist Thibaut Garcia (pictured). Together they demonstrate the pure timelessness of Bach’s works. 21-26 January, Concertgebouw, ’t Zand 34, Bruges

According to philosopher Huizinga, all culture is rooted in play. That’s why the festival Playful Shadows at De Singel explores the diverse and sometimes contradictory elements of play and pleasure. There’s drama in La Obra by Mariano Pensotti, a choreographic deep dive into the digital era in Age of Content by (LA)HORDE and a concert by American-Canadian violinist Leila Josefowicz with the Ensemble Resonanz (pictured). 21 January to 1 February, Desguinlei 25, Antwerp

For its 15th edition the francop0hone film event Tournai Ramdam Festival screens more than 60 films from all over the world. Its focus as ever is on films that disturb. From fiction and documentaries to Belgian discoveries and international features, the festival is more than a gathering of cinephiles. It offers a unique experience for all ages, addressing societal issues with sensitivity and depth. A special programme ‘Generation Ramdam’ is centred on youth. The opening film The Stranger’s Case by Brandt Andersen (pictured) recounts a tragedy befalling a Syrian family, while the first weekend is dedicated to 30 animation shorts. 17-27 January, Imagix Tournai, Boulevard Delwart 60, Tournai (Hainaut)

In his own words, the work of French artist Olivier de Sagazan is highly singular. The trained biologist’s obsession with the human body is visceral. His clay paintings, sculptures and installations also involve slathering himself in the organic material to give life to his work in an endless fascination of the strangeness and ephemeral nature of human existence. The exhibition De la Sainte-Face à la Tête-Viande at the Anciens Abbatoirs de Bomel – located five minutes from Namur’s train station - is accompanied by his series of ‘Transfiguration’ solo performances from 28 January to 1 February. Until 22 February, Traverse des Muses 18, Namur

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page and check our guide to winter holiday exhibitions.

Photos: (main image) François Bellabas at Contretype; Indiens Marubo Vallee de Javari Etat de Amazonas Bresil 1998 ©Sebastiao Salgado; Ceramic Brussels 2024 ©Geoffrey Fritsch; © Olivier de Sagazan ©Be Culture