Art lovers can go to a group exhibition at the foot of the Rampe in Kluisbergen this weekend. 54 artists show their work in an empty, semi-derelict farmhouse that is currently occupied by artist Sander Buyck. “The project got a bit out of hand,” he laughs.
Expo De Rampe opens its doors on Wednesday evening. The location is quite exceptional. The almost dilapidated farm near the foot of the Rampe will soon contain many special works of art. The Rampe is the place where the ground sank in January, threatening the passage of the Tour of Flanders.
“I live here as an anti-squatter,” says initiator Sander Buyck. “The Flemish Land Company purchased it. They want to afforest the fields of the previous farmer, but they are not interested in the property itself. The zoning of the land must change, and that will take some time. I’ve lived here for three years now, and I think it will take another year before everything is finalized. To prevent the building from being vacant and the house falling into the hands of squatters, I live here with my girlfriend.” (read more below the photo)
Sander Buyck in an old cowshed that serves as an exhibition space — © Peter Malaise
“I am a photographer and conceptual artist. During corona I saw an advertisement to come live here. I’m from Ghent and had enough of the city. I still work part-time in Ghent, but here we spend some time in peace. The farm is really remote, everything is quiet here. The farmer who lived here had direct contact with nature. Even though we live here, there are sometimes days when we have no contact with nature at all. You leave for work and come home in the evening when it is dark. That is why we invite the artists to interact with the dilapidated farm and its surroundings.”
Installation art
“The artists who come are my friends. I have known some of them for a long time, I have wanted to organize an exhibition with my friends for some time now. In addition, Inge Braeckman and Honoré d’O, who teaches installation art in Ghent, provided young ‘violence’. They come to camp here to build something. There are 8 artists who will do a performance and we will also hang classical works such as photos and paintings.” (read more below the illustration)
© IF
The exhibition opens on Wednesday from 6 p.m. We are open from Thursday to Sunday between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and even until midnight on Saturday. “Parking in the area is a problem. Due to the rain in recent weeks you cannot park on the meadows. The road to here is narrow, I think it is best to come by bike. You can also park in Kwaremont and then come here on foot. This way you can see some of the beautiful surroundings here. I hope to repeat the exhibition again in 2025, after which the building will be sold,” Buyck concludes.
){kind=link}