Echoes of Art Deco: celebrating 100 years of the iconic style with an exhibition at Villa Empain, Ixelles

30/01/2025

The Boghossian Foundation art centre is celebrating 100 years of breathtaking Art Deco at its headquarters, the heritage gem Villa Empain in Ixelles, until 25 May.

Villa Empain is a destination worth visiting in its own right. This Art Deco masterpiece was built in 1930 at 67 Franklin Roosevelt Avenue in the Brussels neighbourhood of Ixelles by Swiss architect Michel Polak for the wealthy Belgian industrialist and philanthropist Baron Louis Empain. The mansion underwent a complete restoration from 2008 to 2010. The Boghossian Foundation subsequently established its international headquarters there, transforming it into a centre for art and dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures. Visitors can enjoy a wide array of activities and events, such as guided tours, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, performances, film screenings, and dance performances.

For an in-depth look at the Art Deco movement in all its splendour, be sure to add Echoes of Art Deco to your agenda. The glitz and glamour of the Art Deco movement were especially dominant in Brussels during the vibrant 1920s, a period marked by optimism for modernity, technological advancements, and, shortly after, the emergence of a leisure society. The influence of geometric shapes, sharp lines, vibrant colours, opulent materials, and detailed ornamentation can be seen across many artistic fields: from architecture to ornamental ironwork, design, furniture, graphics, ceramics, and woodwork.

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