What’s on this week: 8 to 14 November

Award-winning UK experimental performance group Forced Entertainment returns to Théâtre 140 to stage Signal To Noise, an absurd exploration of AI. Six performers spout out artificially generated texts, a delirious late-night churn of fragments – dances, rehearsals, altercations, scenery changes and unexpected weather reports that blur the boundaries of real and imaginary. The Sheffield-based company, created by Tim Etchells is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. The co-production with Kaaitheater is performed in English, surtitles in Fr & Dutch. 12-13 November 20.00, Avenue Eugène Plasky (Schaerbeek)  

Jam’in Jette Indoor is the autumn edition of the popular neighbourhood musical gathering. Its line-up is deliberately multi-generational. While kids will appreciate La Cie Scratch and their show C'est Gratos, as well as Piwi Leman’s Ptit Bal des Animals, older music fans can enjoy DYnamic x DOPA BEATZ, Turkish Kebap, Steffig Raff, Lëk Sèn, Azahar Orchestra and DJane D'Arc. Entrance €10, kids from three €3. 9 November 15.00-3.00, Espace CBO, Chaussée de Jette 407 (Jette)

Hope needs action. That’s the idea behind Ecopolis, a “fair(er) futures festival” hosted by a wealth of Brussels cultural organisations and the Green European Foundation. Only by understanding the problems and possible solutions can we ever hope to combat something as big as climate change, smack dab in the spotlight this week as Valencia is overwhelmed by flooding. International thinkers come together for talks and workshops – largely in English – on democracy, the power of resistance, local projects and the intersection of art and activism. 9 November, across Brussels

Explore the role of trees in Schaerbeek and Brussels in a beautiful museum – the François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters-interior designed La Maison Autrique. Victor Horta’s first major building (1893) is the perfect home for Make Place for Trees. From the cellar’s Holocene fossils to the top floor’s contemporary sculptures, this exhibition also highlights local Schaerbeek life, notably cherry production and bow-and-arrow shooting. Treasures from Schaerbeek’s art collection include Henri Stiellemans’ Square F. Riga, pelota ball game, Georges Frederic’s Scènes schaerbeekoises, and, with trees taking centre stage, Eugène Thelen and Frans Bossaerts’ beautiful paintings of Josaphat park. Don’t miss the charming photo of Horta and his wife surrounded by trees. Until 19 April, Chaussée de Haecht 266 (Schaerbeek)

Imagine a world without or before architecture. As one of CIVA’s final shows before moving downtown to KANAL, pre-architectures explores “how prehistory might uncover the causes of modernity’s present crisis”. The exhibition refers to the beginnings of human habitat, “birth” of design, organic and forensic architecture. Artists, architects, archaeologists and sociologists offer a fascinating and, in the words of artistic director Nikolaus Hirsch, ‘speculative’ look at architecture’s potential today and in future. Highlights include Kader Attia’s eggbox-like Egyptian-looking structures, Jacques Gillet’s photos of the intriguing ‘sculpture house’ near Liège and Ettore Sottsass’ images of ‘industrial culture’. Other striking pieces are Paulo Tavares’ ‘An Architectural Botany’ series and the Anton Vidokle/Pelin Tan film ‘Gilgamesh - she who saw the deep’. Until 30 March, Rue de l’Ermitage 55 (Ixelles)

You can make some fascinating discoveries at the Brussels Art Film Festival, which screens 32 Belgian and international movies exploring a variety of artistic practices. The opening docu-fiction They Shot the Piano Player (pictured) by Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal is an intriguing mystery about a music journalist who investigates the tragic disappearance of virtuoso Brazilian pianist. Other films worth catching include Exergue – on documenta 14, following Adam Szymczyk and his team preparing the largest contemporary art fair in the world, plus a special evening dedicated to Swiss director Ursula Meier. There are also screenings in Ghent, Mons and Antwerp. 13-17 November, Palace, Bozar, Cinematek and Iselp

Urban Nature is the topical theme adopted by international contemporary music festival Ars Musica.  The spotlight on this music scene in Brussels and Wallonia includes Tragédie d’un regard at Les Brigittines, in which Marianne Pousseur and Enrico Bagnoli seek inspiration from the myth of Orphée &  Eurydice in a dance and music fusion. Another highlight is a contemporary ball at the Maison du Peuple in Saint-Gilles on 15 November with three professionals teaching the public dance moves to accompany different strains of contemporary music. Meanwhile, the Belgian National Orchestra joins forces with Hermus & Labèque Sisters to perform Philip Glass and a new work by Keiko Devaux on 16 November. 13 November to 3 December, multiple locations

To mark the Brussels’ artist’s recent death, the gallery and studio of Isabelle Borchgrave presents some of her recent pleated paintings. The series Couleurs is a mix of colourful abstractions, imaginary landscapes and tempera creations. It is shown alongside new pieces in bronze and paper. 8 November to 8 December, Chaussée de Vleurgat 73 (Ixelles)

Get ready for Korea Unboxed: Taste, Glow, Explore. Discover the delights of the Asian country’s food, beauty products and tourism in this new festival, which is currently offering giveaway vouchers. While lifting the lid on the country and its fascinating culture, it showcases delicious Korean street food such as crispy fried chicken, spicy Tteokbokki and Han river-style ramen. The event also offers travel insights, including special deals, while presenting world-famous K-beauty cosmetics and skincare. Pick up some personalised colour analysis and makeup tutorials during this exclusive presentation of Korean products. 16-17 November 12.00 -21.00, Korean Cultural Center, Rue de la Régence 4 & Place de la Chappelle

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Prestigious Antica Namur Fine Art Fair is showcasing modern Belgian painting as well as old and contemporary works. Some 110 galleries and antique dealers fill the exhibition space with another outstanding display of art, antiques, jewellery and beautiful objects. For the 47th edition, it presents an eclectic selection by both a younger generation of antique dealers and reputed international galleries. Visitors can also discover decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries and furniture from varying periods. 9-17 November, Namur Expo, Avenue Sergent Vrithoff 2, Namur

Pioneering artist and caricaturist Félicien Rops is renowned for his erotic and occult works and reputed for being the forefather of Belgian comic strip. In L’Album du diable. Les tentations de Félicien Rops, the full extent of his satanic side is on devilish display as the museum dedicated to the Namur-born artist explores his fruitful years, 1878 to 1882. This was a flourishing period for the artist, although this particular album dedicated to scandalous nudes never actually saw the light of day. Young audiences are advised to abstain from the exhibition. Until 9 March, Musée Félicien Rops, Rue Fumal 12, Namur

Let me tell you a story. I was at an exhibition of work by a turn-of-the-20th-century Belgian artist, and I found it all a little ho-hum. Then I came upon a painting that was different – the technique was beautiful, it was emotionally engaging. I soon discovered it was not by the artist but by one of his contemporaries – Emile Claus. Arguable the country’s greatest impressionist, Claus’s life and work are being celebrated this year, the 100th anniversary of his death. A highlight is Emile Claus: Prince of Luminism, which brings together dozens of his masterpieces. Until 26 January, Mudel, Lucien Matthyslaan 3, Deinze

It's not summer, but that doesn’t mean there are no music festivals. Sonic City is Kortrijk’s big indoor music fest, with an eclectic line-up of everything from indie rock, electronic, noise and post-punk to avant-garde, experimental pop and even jazz. Curated by different guest artists each year, this year the honour went to Rotterdam post-punk band Tramhaus. It all takes place in the city’s repurposed rail station depot. 8-10 November, Depart, Nelson Mandelaplein 18, Kortrijk

One of Flanders’ top autumn exhibitions, Margaret: The Emperor’s Daughter Between Power and Image looks at the life of Margaret of Parma. She was the result of Charles V’s brief affair with Johanna Van der Gheynst, a servant in the house of the Governor of Oudenaarde. Unlike other more modern monarchs we could mention, Charles – already Holy Roman Emperor – acknowledged his daughter, and she went on to lead a fascinating life of royal intrigue and spirited independence. Until 5 January, MOU Museum, Stadhuis, Markt 1, Oudenaarde

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) Signal To Noise, Forced Entertainment; The Félicien Rops Museum, La Tentation de Saint Antoine courtesy KBR; Emile Claus courtesy MSK Gent