Since 2007, lille3000 has been presenting major contemporary art exhibitions in an exceptional venue: le Tripostal in Lille.
In autumn 2023, as part of its programme of invitations to major collections, lille3000 welcomed the Vanhaerents Art Collection, based in Belgium. This exhibition was part of a dynamic that began in 2007 with the Pinault Collection (Passage du Temps), in 2009 with the Saatchi Gallery (La Route de la Soie), then in 2011 with the Centre National des Arts Plastiques (Collector), in 2013 to mark the 25th anniversary of the career of gallery owner Emmanuel Perrotin (Happy Birthday, Galerie Perrotin 25 ans), in 2014 with 18 Flemish private collectors (Passions Secrètes, Collections privées flamandes), then in 2017 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Centre Pompidou (Performance! ), in 2021 with the Design Museum Gent (Colors, etc.) and finally in 2022 with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art Contemporain as part of Utopia (Les Vivants).
These exhibitions have brought together the biggest names on the international scene and emerging artists. They tell the stories and passions of the guest collectors and confront us with the questions and revolts that the world inspires in them.
The Vanhaerents Art Collection is one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in Belgium. Inspired by Jean-Jacques Goldman’s 1982 song of the same name, ‘J’irai au bout de mes rêves’ resonates for Walter Vanhaerents as a daily commitment to taking risks.
In the image of this collection, the Au bout de mes rêves (At the End of My Dreams) exhibition, on three floors of the Tripostal, was intended to be strong and committed, but also full of light and wonder in these grey times. Where there are dreams, there is hope of change or a new beginning. Here, the dream of a collection built up with passion over 50 years has become a reality.
Artists presented : Derrick Adams, AES+F, David Altmejd, Amoako Boafo, Chiho Aoshima, Ali Banisadr, Matthew Barney, Dominic Chambers, Matthew Day Jackson, Kendell Geers, Mark Handforth, Jeppe Hein, David Hockney, Marguerite Humeau, Jitish Kallat, Titus Kaphar, Friedrich Kunath, Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe, Joy Labinjo, Mariko Mori, Takashi Murakami, MR, Iván Navarro, Bruce Nauman, Laure Prouvost, Ugo Rondinone, Daniel Richter, Tom Sachs, Tomás Saraceno, Markus Schinwald, Yinka Shonibare, Vaughn Spann, Sudarshan Shetty, Emmanuel Taku, Fredrik Tjærandsen, Bill Viola, Kehinde Wiley.
Curators: Caroline David & Walter Vanhaerents
The Vanhaerents Art Collection is a unique collection of contemporary art assembled by Walter Vanhaerents and his children, Els and Joost. The origins of the Vanhaerents Art Collection date back to the 1970s, when the young Walter began collecting his first works of art. Gathering pieces that were considered extremely fierce and radical at the time, he laid the foundations for a collection that is now one of the most prestigious in the world.
Little is known about the size and content of the collection, but it reflects the diversity and vitality of current artistic practices. Both established and emerging artists are represented, with particularly monumental works (painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography and video).
It includes works by American artists who have explored the legacy of Andy Warhol (Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Matt Mullican, James Lee Byars, Allan McCollum), as well as European artists such as Gilbert & George, Christian Boltanski, Franz West and Thomas Ruff, and Belgian artists Kris Martin, Wim Delvoye and Francis Alÿs.
The fruitful cross-fertilisation of high and low art runs like a red thread through his collection, with references to Hitchcock’s films, McDonald’s and black metal, and gothic musical culture, among others.
The Vanhaerents Art Collection is housed in a former sanitary installations depot dating from 1926, renovated by Paul Robbrecht and Bert Haerynck in the heart of Brussels. To date, the collection has kept a close eye on the contemporary art scene and is continually expanding, with a particular focus on the young avant-garde art scene.
