Think Public Space

Episode 2: The artist and the subway

Angelique Campens Episode 2

Today we explore art in the subway and we start with the work of the artist and architect Jacques Moeschal and end with the Alma metro stop, designed by the artist and architect duo Simone and Lucien Kroll. 

The Jacques Moeschal ceiling painting extends over 7000 square metres and  over three levels in the Gare du Midi subway station in Brussels. Moeschal painted the ceilings yellow, red or orange depending on the level. It is an impressive integration of art in which architecture and painting merge. The colours highlighting the rough concrete structure of the ceilings. This work is part of his ideology that the life of the common people would be improved by bringing the arts into public space. The commission was given in 1979 and executed in 1988.

In this setting we were happy to hear artist Bart Lodewijks' thoughts on art in public space, as well as coming across some amazing artworks in the metro and discuss how this brings beauty to everyone's daily lives!  He works mostly in public space and makes large scale linear chalk drawings on buildings. Listing with us to this and the sounds of metro.

Concept, realisation and editing: Angelique Campens 
Coaching & sound: Raf Enckels (Herculeslab)
Soundwork & mixing: Melissa Ryke
Opening and closing theme Glenn Miller "String of pearls"
Visuals: design by Veronika Akopyan and photography by Michiel Devijver
Project participants:  Veronika Akopyan, Zoë Brennan, Luna Van Bellingen, Menno Eggink, Milan George, Davide Musco,  Jose Zapata Usma, Aagje Vandriessche, Baue Vercammen, Delphine Vo and Hilke Walraven
Production: Angelique Campens
Coproduction: Nomadic School of Arts
With the support of: KASK School of Arts, Europe NextGenerationEU, Nomadic School of Arts