Since 2015, Bruges Triennial has built further on the series of triennials put together in 1968, 1971 and 1974 that brought visual arts into the public domain. In each edition, the artistic team invites regional and international artists and architects to submit new temporary installations. Some dozen of these works of art and meeting places always engage in an active dialogue with their surroundings: alongside waterways, in cobbled streets, in peaceful places of worship or on vacant lots. For visitors, it will be a summer-long exploration, following a unique and inviting trail with a social aspect.

The triennials were directed specifically at Belgian contemporary art, with the notable participation of then still relatively unknown artists like Marcel Broodthaers, Panamarenko, Jef Geys, Jacques Charlier and Mass Moving. The third triennial held in 1974 was the last of that series of exhibitions. Plans for the fourth, this time an international triennial in 1977, never materialized.

The City of Bruges now has picked up the triennial thread again and the 2015 edition is the first in a new series of triennials which are part of the City Council’s long-term vision for contemporary art.

Organization

Brugge Plus is organizing the 2015 Bruges Triennial of Contemporary Art and Architecture on behalf of the City of Bruges. This is not a new departure for Brugge Plus. Indeed, the non-profit organization was set up to prepare for Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002. Brugge Plus, along with the Municipal Museums, has since been the driving force behind major city festivals like Corpus (2005) and Bruges Central with curator Luc Tuymans (2010). Brugge Plus and the museums were also behind Kamarama with Kamagurka as the curator (2012).

Source: www.triennalebrugge.be