BRAFA 2014 | Brusels

BRAFA 2014 | Brussels
25 January - 2 February 2014

BRAFA 2014 will takes place in the large halls of the mail sorting station of “Thurn & Taxis” The exhibition space comprises a total surface of 15.400 m². This historical building, located along the Willebroek canal in Brussels is a wonderful example of the Belgian industrial architectural heritage. It was built around 1903-1904 according to the plans of the architect Van Humbeek and was originally used as a storage place for transit merchandise. The 130 participants represent different countries such as Belgium (40%), Canada, France, Germany, Great-Britain, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, ortugal, Spain, USA and Switzerland. The fair presented antiquities, oceanic art, tribal art, oriental art, silver, jewelry, furniture and works of art from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, curiosities, ceramics, earthenware and porcelain, drawings, old comic books, engravings, old master and modern paintings, sculpture, carpets, tapestry, antique and modern books, coins, contemporary art and photography. Over 48.000 visitors from Belgium and abroad have visited the fair in last edition in 2013.

BRAFA ART TALKS 2014 
Art is the common passion shared by the many visitors who attend BRAFA each year. Every stand shows art works through a multitude of styles, periods, origins and diverse mediums. We are therefore proud to initiate this year at 2.30 pm everyday at the Brafa Lounge the premiere of the BRAFA ART TALKS series.

• 25/01/14 - TREASURES TO HAND DOWN, WONDERFUL STORIES TO SHARE

By François Schuiten, comic book artist and scenographer, and Dominique Allard, Director of the King Baudouin Foundation

The King Baudouin Foundation’s devotion to the transmission of cultural heritage is encapsulated by the works by Victor Horta, François Schuiten and Didier Comèsthat it is exhibiting this year. The Foundation has invited François Schuiten to discuss his own story with you: why donate? What difficulties has the group encountered? Dominique Allard, director of the King Baudouin Foundation, will share his experience of working with the Foundation’s collection. In partnership with La Libre Belgique – Trends – TrendsTendances

• 26/01/14 - LEONARDO DA VINCI AND THE BOOK OF DOOM

By Simon Hewitt, Oxford-trained art historian and art-market journalist since 1985

An investigation into the origins of Leonardo's recently discovered Portrait of Bianca Sforza (1482/3-96) – illegitimate daughter of Ludovico Il Moro, Duke of Milan – produced for the Sforziada, one of the most lavish history books of the Renaissance. How did Leonardo become involved in illustrating the Sforziada? Why is the book now in the Polish National Library in Warsaw? What secrets does Sforziada illuminator Gianpietro Birago reveal about Leonardo, life at Il Moro's court, and the identity of Leonardo's only male portrait, The Musician? And what makes the Sforziada a 'Book of Doom'? In partnership with Connaissance des Arts.

• 27/01/14 - LIVING WITH STYLE

By Axel Vervoordt, gallery owner, antique dealer, interior designer
Axel Vervoordt is considered one of the most original and adventurous collectors and dealers of our time. His is known worldwide for the extraordinary design of his stands at major international exhibitions and his curation of exhibitions in Venice. He appreciates the universal and timeless quality in art, and has a particular gift for creating relationships between art objects. His business has grown into an international company with 100 employees specializing not only in art and antiques, but also in interior design. The company now has its own Home Collection and a contemporary art gallery. In his lecture at BRAFA he will elaborate on 30 images from his exhibitions, reviving the Vlaeykensgang in Antwerp and the castle of Gravenwezel. He will share with us his passion for life with art.In partnership with COLLECT AAA.

• 28/01/14 - THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF INTERIOR DECORATION FROM 1850 TO TODAY

By Gerald WATELET, stylist, TV presenter, chef, and interior designer
Creativity has been a human characteristic since the beginning of time, and consciously or unconsciously, people have always embellished their surroundings, aiming to make their personal space welcoming, safe and full of energy for themselves and all those they invite inside.
Culture, means and taste – whether good or bad – are irrelevant here, for each one of us strives to create a ‘stage’ of sorts for our lives. It is this scene-setting we are concerned with; how it occurs and how it evolves; what sort of ‘coming together’ is involved in the trade of the ‘ensemblier’ or interior designer.In partnership with Elle Décoration Belgique / Art & Décoration

• 29/01/14 - WHAT A MASK CAN SAY: THOUGHTS ON THE ICONOGRAPHY OF A RMCA LUBA MASTERPIECE

By Dr Julien VOLPER, art historian, researcher and assistant curator of the section of ethnography at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren (RMCA)

The famous horned helmet mask collected by Oscar Michaux in the 1890s is one of the most important pieces in the collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa. Many questions are raised by this work of mysterious beauty. In his lecture, Julien Volper will develop a number of themes arising from his detailed study of the mask. In partnership with Tribal Art Magazine

• 30/01/14 - NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS OF HIERONYMUS BOSCH

By Prof.Dr. Fritz Koreny, former Curator of German and Dutch drawings at the Albertina Graphic Collection (1971-2000) and Professor at the Institute of Art History at the University of Vienna.

Critical research that has compared Bosch's drawings on paper to the underdrawing of his panel paintings (documented by Infrared-reflectography) shows that a number of paintings previously directly attributed to the artist can no longer be claimed as signature works: Dr Koreny will share his insights on these new discoveries.In partnership with Weltkunst - Kunst & Auktionen - Artinvestor 

• 31/01/14 - THE CONSERVATION PROCESS FOR ANTIQUE TAPESTRIES

By YvanMaes De Wit, Director of the Royal Tapestries Manufacturers De Wit

The conservation of a tapestry involves cleaning, visual integration, lining, hanging and storing. All these aspects will be discussed and documented with pictures.In partnership with HALI Magazine

• 01/02/14 - SHIPWRECKED SECRETS: REDISCOVERING THE ANCIENT WORLD ALONG THE MARITIME SILK ROUTE.

By Nikolai von Uexkull and Alex Ford, ocean explorers

In the warm tropical seas of South East Asia, there is a world of adventure, ancient shipwrecks, trade routes, and precious cultural finds. Nicolai von Uexkull and Alex Ford are committed to the preservation of cultural heritage, sensitivity to marine ecosystems, and fostering safe working practices.  They have discovered a number of shipwrecks, between 250 to 1000 years old, several of great historical and cultural significance. This talk will give fascinating insights into ancient trade routes in Asia, and will be illustrated with field images, artefacts and stories.In partnership with Tendencias del Mercado del Arte

• 02/02/14 - THE ENCHANTED POSE REDISCOVERED – WHEN A MAGRITTE HIDES A MAGRITTE.

By Michael Duffy, Painting Conservator, and Danielle Johnson, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture - Museum of Modern Art, New York

During the preparation of the exhibition ‘Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938’, held in New York until January 2014, the MOMA team found a hidden Magritte under another Magritte. After scientific studies and graphic comparisons, MOMA and the Art Institute of Chicago were able to assign these hidden fragments to a painting called ‘La Pose enchantée’(‘The Enchanted Pose’) (1927). The adventure did not stop there because there are still two fragments, hidden in existing collections. This painting can only be recomposed in its integrity when these are found. Michael Duffy, the restorer who discovered this hidden treasure, and Danielle Johnson, assistant curator of the department of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art will come from New York specifically to share this adventure that led to the identification of these fragments of ‘La Pose enchantée’.In partnership with Le Vif/L’Express – Knack

contacts:
BRAFA - Foire des Antiquaires de Belgique asbl

Tour & Taxis
Avenue du Port 86 C Box 2 A
1000 Brussels – Belgium
t. +32 (0)2 513 48 31
f. +32 (0)2 502 06 86
info@brafa.be
www.brafa.be