Planned for Demolition
gives former Van Laere site a final life as an art site
Before the former Van Laere site in Zwijndrecht disappears for good, it will take on one final role. With Planned for Demolition, Wallin’ is temporarily taking over the industrial site, giving dozens of artists the freedom to paint, build and experiment. Over the coming months, the abandoned site will be transformed into a temporary art space, hosting residencies, international collaborations and public showcases.
A building that is soon to be demolished usually invites little more than waiting. Waiting for permits, machinery and, eventually, the demolition itself.
With Planned for Demolition, we want to make use of precisely that in-between period. Rather than leaving the building empty until it disappears, the former Van Laere site will be temporarily opened up to artists. Warehouses, offices, corridors, walls and outdoor spaces will become workspaces and canvases for new creations. Its temporary nature is not a limitation, but rather the starting point of the project.
An entire site as a canvas
Planned for Demolition starts from a simple idea: what can emerge when artists are given space in a place where almost nothing needs to be permanent anymore?
Artists are not limited here to a canvas or a predefined exhibition space. An entire wall can be painted. An office can be transformed into an installation. Materials left behind on the site can be reclaimed and incorporated into sculptures.
Some works will be taken away once the project ends. Others will exist only for as long as the building itself does.
For its final months, the site will become a large, constantly evolving workshop.
Dozens of artists from Belgium and abroad
Over the coming period, dozens of artists from Belgium and abroad will come to Zwijndrecht to work on the site. The focus is not only on the final result. Planned for Demolition also aims to bring artists together and create space for experimentation, encounters and new collaborations.
One of the first major events within the programme is Abstract Sessions, an international gathering centred around abstract art, graffiti, muralism and experimental practices. Following an earlier edition that brought together around 70 artists at the Castar Wall in Anderlecht, Abstract Sessions is taking on a new form at the Van Laere site. Rather than a single monumental wall, an entire industrial environment will become the playground. More than 100 artists will take part in this edition. Below you will find a large part of the line-up:
Alfred Zewip • Amose • Ase Torralba • Awer Art • Carlos Spogo • Clémant Plastic • Concrete Cirkle • Dake25 • Damien Mauro • Darry Perrier • Deaf Point • Diego Vincente • Digi55 • Digii 5 • Drili • Elisa Veronelelli • Esk Reyn • eyesB • Gerbos Mad City • H Skulls • Heimprofi • Hello Haters • Hendlisz Benjamin • Herman Van Snick • HMX • Ian Skirvin • Iota • Jashja • Jean Valjoint • Jelmer Noordeman • Lieve Vermaele • Loup Bellem • Magnus Mori • Maite Van Poucke • Marek Kemse • Matthew Fortrose • Micha Debie • Nanne • Nature Peinture • Nestor Esto • Nikoleta • Nuisible • Obit • Ohplinio • Ollio • Onebran • Otner • Paloma Lopez • Patrick Croes • Paul Toussaint • Phylos Donkertino • Pierre Olson • Pref • Proembrion • Qui Fait Quoi • Reaphe • Regis Siger • Riq • Roubens • Sam Scarpulla • Sébastien Theys • Seppe Demeyere • Simon Mannaerts • Stoog • Studio Kleurkaas • Studio Koevoet • Wenc • Wrok • Yannick STK • Yves Gallard • Zero Drome • and more…
From abandoned building to temporary meeting place
Planned for Demolition is also an experiment in how we look at vacant buildings.
There can be months between the moment a building loses its original function and the arrival of the wrecking ball. Space that may temporarily have no economic purpose can be incredibly valuable to artists.
The Van Laere site will therefore not simply be a place where art is exhibited, but above all a place where art is created.
Throughout the project, artists will be invited to work temporarily on the site. During public moments, visitors will be able to discover how the spaces gradually transform and how different artistic practices grow alongside and through one another.
Support the project
By purchasing a ticket, you support the project and help the artists create new work. For just €10, you get access to the entire site.
You can also support the project by booking one of our graffiti workshops, taking place on Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm. For €35, you can take part in the workshop and get full access to the site.
During the exhibition, a selection of works by the participating artists will also be available for purchase.
Buy your ticket here and support the projectPractical Info
Location
Former Van Laere site
Zwijndrecht, Antwerp, Belgium
Programme
Abstract Sessions — 25–26 September
Planned For Demolition — 1–4 October (1 pm–11 pm every day) + 10-11 october (2pm-7:30pm)
Organisation
Planned for Demolition is an initiative by Wallin’, a Ghent-based organisation working around public art, murals, artistic development and temporary art projects.
Press & contact
Rick Molyneux
Wallin’ / Planned for Demolition
+32 477 46 12 80
