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De Speelkamer
10.09.2026 - 20.09.2026
"De Speelkamer" (The Playroom) alludes to childhood. Specifically, it recalls the spontaneous way children invent and create through experimentation and play. Just as a child invites friends over to play, Sophie invited artists into her space to collaborate. The space, where she used to live for several years was baptized after her surname "Vanhomwegen". Now that she has moved out and the project is evolving, this exhibition marks a transition. It mirrors how a child outgrows their room and leaves and moves on to a bigger space.
"De Speelkamer" is conceived as a singular, immersive installation. The boundaries of the exhibition itself are intentionally blurred. It prompts viewers to question where the artwork begins and the space ends. It also reveals that Espace Vanhomwegen was never just a venue.
"Vanhomwegen" also carries a poetic double meaning. In Flemish, it translates to "from detours." This reflects the non-traditional, winding path that all the contributors carved out for the project during all those years. It shows the broader nature of the creative journey: the necessity of experimenting, sharing and exchanging without knowing its destination or trying to control it.
Through this lens, the exhibition raises a philosophical question: does losing our ability to play mean losing ourselves?