17.09.2024 – 01.02.2026

Tamed Nature exhibition explores the green spaces in the urban context and history of Antwerp. Although many documents refer to the parks in the city, from the 19th century to the present day, the content is not only about the parks or green spaces, but also about the relationship between these urban natures, the urban fabric and politics of urban space. However, the green spaces form the center of the exploration, which is the base for the design of the exhibition.

A large platform is installed in the centre of the exhibition hall, rotated by 10 degrees to the long parallel walls of the rectangular gallery space. The chapters of the exhibition are shown on this platform, one next to the other, under glass cabinets, on video screens or framed drawings.

Four walls running parallel to the shorter sides of the gallery are placed next to the platform, but each time they touch a different side of the exhibition space. Visitors pass through the openings in and next to these walls. Since the openings are constantly shifting, the circulation follows a meandering path, as is often the case in parks.

Despite the installation of the walls, none of the rooms are completely enclosed; the openings and the central plinth create several views through the exhibition. The themes are assigned to the new rooms created by the walls, which also provide the necessary additional space for hanging the documents.

With the idea that the walls are reminiscent of façades and the large plinth is a massive green element that cuts through them, the scenography deliberately does not aim to imitate the natural aspect of the green spaces in Antwerp. Instead, the concept is based on the spatial interweaving of nature and architecture in the urban environment.

Client: VAi - Flemish Architecture Institute
Location: Antwerp / BE
Curator: Bart Tritsmans
Curator contemporary works: Hülya Ertaş
Production team VAi: Nino Goyvaerts, Eva Pot
Execution: Chloroform & Guy Antoni (De Singel)
Assistant: Francesca Desantis
Photography: Sepideh Farvadi, Dieter Daniëls