The elongated Flemish bank of the RivierPark Maasvallei is the decor in which the works of art will be realised. Here, the Meuse is the lifeline of a cross-border river landscape with many similarities on both sides of the river. The Meuse villages on both banks of the river have been closely linked for centuries.

In order words, a connecting Meuse. This is also the challenge for art, design and architecture: where and how do we make new connections, which temporarily or permanently enter into dialogue with phenomena in the Meuse valley? For example, there are the great phenomena of blurring borders, river dynamics, or the large-scale gravel industry. But more specific stories can also appeal to artists.

Art on the Meuse aims to show how the landscape in the Meuse valley has been shaped by human and natural forces. The Meuse river plays an important role in this, but the border with the Netherlands, gravel extraction and location-specific stories and myths are also possible themes on which both national and international artists can work. Some works will be temporary, others (semi-)permanent. The artworks are created in close collaboration between the artist, the project partners and the local network.

Organisation

Art on the Meuse is an initiative of Z33, House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture (Hasselt) and Regional Landscape Kempen & Maasland.

In consultation with an artistic steering committee, Z33 draws up a long list of (inter)national artists. They are invited one by one to get to know the area and then submit a project proposal. The ultimately selected projects will – with special attention for local production possibilities and local cooperation – be guided by Z33 towards realisation in 2022 or 2023.

RLKM and its network of partners in the RivierPark Maasvallei contribute to the realisation through their knowledge of the area, their network, the creation of walking or cycling routes, peripheral activities, public communication… to involve the residents and visitors of the Meuse valley as much as possible and to let them enjoy the results.

Team

Geert Driessen: project coordinator Z33, [email protected]
Tim Roerig: artistic coordinator Z33; [email protected]
Katrien Schaerlaekens: project coordinator RLKM; [email protected]
Ben Creemers: communication and public service officer RLKM; [email protected]
Veerle Ausloos: communications officer and press officer Z33; [email protected]
Stephanie Janssen: communication officer RLKM; [email protected]

Partners

The project is supported by Flanders, in particular Tourism Flanders and the Cultural Infrastructure Fund (FoCI), De Vlaamse Waterweg and the five Flemish Meuse municipalities (Kinrooi, Maaseik, Dilsen-Stokkem, Maasmechelen and Lanaken). The project is realised in collaboration with numerous parties active in the Meuse valley.