Courtesy Michèle Schoonjans Gallery
Dialogue, an encounter of still lifes by Denis Brihat and Denise Kwaaitaal in Michele Schoonjans Gallery, Rivoli Brussels as part of the Photo Brussels Festival Michèle Schoonjans Gallery is presenting with Denis Brihat and Danielle Kwaaitaal a brilliant selection of still life photography as part of the Photo Brussels Festival. The recently deceased Denis Brihat is an eminent figure for the history of photography, as an artist, innovator and defender of the medium. In turn, Dutch artist Danielle Kwaaitaal represents a fascinating original contemporary interpretation of the genre. In the gallery, the visitor will discover an exquisite selection of works that present a stunning overview of Denis Brihat's oeuvre between 1962 and 2010, Kwaaitaal is highlighting her recent work since 2017....
Dialogue, an encounter of still lifes by Denis Brihat and Denise Kwaaitaal in Michele Schoonjans Gallery, Rivoli Brussels as part of the Photo Brussels Festival Michèle Schoonjans Gallery is presenting with Denis Brihat and Danielle Kwaaitaal a brilliant selection of still life photography as part of the Photo Brussels Festival. The recently deceased Denis Brihat is an eminent figure for the history of photography, as an artist, innovator and defender of the medium. In turn, Dutch artist Danielle Kwaaitaal represents a fascinating original contemporary interpretation of the genre. In the gallery, the visitor will discover an exquisite selection of works that present a stunning overview of Denis Brihat's oeuvre between 1962 and 2010, Kwaaitaal is highlighting her recent work since 2017. Brihat made us look at the medium differently by opting for large format, also ensured the spread of photography. He was one of the founders of les Rencontres d' Arles and of the Chateau d ’Eau in Toulouse. He taught generations of photographers, always looking for new opportunities: he had a great fascination for classical music, and very many of his images appeared on the covers of the Harmonia Mundi label. Kwaaitaal does not employ classic tabletop, but immerses her subjects in reservoirs built for her. What interconnection between these photographers? For both, nature is important: Brihat found peace in his garden , and sought his subjects in his immediate surroundings. He granted the unseen a majestic image, Kwaaitaal submerges her flowers in water. With subtle colours and bubbles, she creates strange scenes and gives the still lifes a vibrant life of their own. Both photographers have something to do with art: Brihat was one of the key players in the recognition of photography as art, Kwaaitaal does not consider herself a photographer but an artist with a camera. Both photographers innovate visual language: Brihat is inspired by Edward Weston, but emphasises the overwhelming idea of balance and beauty contained in the nature that surrounds us. Kwaaitaal in turn breathes Giorgio Morandi, but for her, reality in itself does not satisfy, reality is boring, and transforms the banal into the exquisite and sublime. For both, post-processing is an essential part of their imagery: Brihat experimented for life, sometimes working on an image for a month. He innovated large-format printing, realised all his shots in black and white, and, like a modern alchemist, resurrected them as unique colour images. Kwaaitaal can also look back on decades of experience in giving her analogue shots a special, alienating, and surprising character through digital processing. They are not lacking in recognition either: Brihat had his first exhibition in 1950, received the Prix Nièpce in 1957, was invited to exhibit at MOMA New York in 1967. We make a big jump to 2019 where he got a retrospective exhibition at the BNF. Kwaaitaal's graduation work was acquired by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, she frequently collaborates on film projects, is exhibited at home and abroad in museums, galleries and fairs, and even more recently her work was acquired by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior, and travellers passing through Schiphol Lounge 1 did not fail to notice her impressive 450m2 installation. In these hurried times, both represent a ‘slow’ approach. Each image is the result of a long process, and deserves long contemplation. You will only discover the details by witnessing the still lifes live in the gallery. The exhibition originated from a dialogue between Michèle Schoonjans and John Devos, and the exhibition's staging is entirely in the hands of Danielle Kwaaitaal and Francis Boeske. author : John Devos Historian & art historian University college lecturer, curator and art criticOpening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 - 18:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |