On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of René Magritte's birth, the Magritte Foundation, the Magritte Museum, and the City of Brussels have invited street artist Julien de Casabianca to explore the works of René Magritte.
To rediscover Magritte's work through this collage journey by Julien de Casabianca, the iconic "men with bowler hats" will guide you from De Brouckère Square to Place Royale.
According to Philippe Close, the Mayor of the City of Brussels, "It is an honor for the City of Brussels to host an internationally renowned artist like Julien de Casabianca to highlight our iconic Belgian painter through his work. This intervention perpetuates the modernity of René Magritte's work in the public space, for the benefit of our residents and visitors."
Among the original works of Magritte interpreted by Julien de Casabianca, we can find "The Unexpected Answer - 1932," "The Schoolmaster - 1954," "The Happy Donor - 1966," and other paintings to be discovered through the collages that will dot the city center.
"This summer, surrealism invades the streets of Brussels. Through monumental installations, artist Julien de Casabianca releases characters from René Magritte's paintings to display them on the capital's emblematic facades. Once again, the works of the famous painter will contribute to the shining cultural identity of Belgium worldwide. More than an outdoor journey, this exhibition is a tribute to one of the greatest figures in art, who has put Brussels at the forefront of the international art scene. With 'In the Footsteps of Magritte,' I am delighted to see bowler hats and other XXL doves flood the capital, enchanting tourists and residents, both young and old!" explains Delphine Houba, Alderwoman for Culture, Tourism, and Major Events.
This anniversary represents a great opportunity for the City of Brussels to highlight the work of this important Belgian painter. To achieve this, the city has implemented a unique journey starting from June 30 with artist Julien de Casabianca, lasting for 6 months. A master in his discipline, he creates temporary XXL collages on iconic facades worldwide. His work is environmentally friendly and poses no risk of damage to the facades that support these temporary collages.
Indeed, the glue used is composed of 95% standard wallpaper glue made from biodegradable plant-based raw materials. This allows for easy removal without leaving any residue on the wall.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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