Antwerp
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Discover the What's the Story? II Exhibition at the KMSKA Antwerp Museum

Experience a unique dialogue pairing contemporary artists with historical masterworks from the permanent collection.

Curated by Nico Van Hout and Erno Vroonen, this presentation at KMSKA Antwerp highlights the evolution of universal themes across centuries. Visitors can explore associative ensembles linking classical paintings with modern sculptures, drawings, and photography. The exhibition invites viewers to actively participate and build their own narrative connections.

About What's the Story? II at KMSKA | Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp in Antwerp

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for What's the Story? II at KMSKA | Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp in Antwerp

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the dialogue between the museum's permanent collection and contemporary art through themed ensembles. Curators Nico Van Hout and Erno Vroonen invite visitors to discover thematic links between historical masterworks and contemporary pieces, focusing on subjects like life, death, seduction, and storytelling.

Curatorial context

In 'What's the Story? II', the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) facilitates a unique conversation between the museum's historical collection and contemporary artistic practice. Curated by Nico Van Hout and Erno Vroonen, the exhibition is arranged into associative ensembles that allow visitors to explore how themes have evolved or remained consistent throughout the centuries. By positioning modern works alongside historical pieces, the exhibition highlights the universal nature of subjects such as life, death, seduction, and storytelling, encouraging viewers to build their own narratives. The galleries are structured around distinct themes, showcasing works by artists such as Jacob Jordaens, Maen Florin, Kati Heck, Jan Massijs, Evelyne Axell, Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven, Liliane Vertessen, Rinus Van de Velde, Jozef Legrand, and Constant Permeke. Through mediums ranging from monumental charcoal drawings and hybrid ceramic sculptures to staged photography and video, the artists engage in a cross-temporal exchange. The presentation invites the audience to become active participants, with each work serving as a starting point for reflection on how the history of art informs our contemporary understanding.

Admission and ticket notes

Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit through the official museum website. Tickets can be booked online via the museum's ticketing platform, which provides access to the full museum collection and current exhibitions.

What's the Story? II key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for What's the Story? II at KMSKA | Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp in Antwerp

Venue
KMSKA | Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Nov 28, 2024
Artist line / attribution
Featuring work by contemporary artists Maen Florin, Kati Heck, Evelyne Axell, Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven, Liliane Vertessen, Rinus Van de Velde, and Jozef Legrand, alongside historical works by Jan Massijs, Jacob Jordaens, and Constant Permeke. Curated by Nico Van Hout and Erno Vroonen.
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