Have you ever come across a painting with two cute little balls of fluff in the museum? Probably not. Indeed, Two dogs on a Couch (1863) by Auguste Corkole has been hiding in the MSK's dark cellars for years. The museum's reserves serve a bit as an asylum for pets of various species, breeds and sizes.
‘Numerous forgotten works, creators and themes are waiting to be seen and admired again.’
Pets were and are often considered true members of the family, offering unconditional love, comfort and joy. It is therefore no surprise that they are regularly depicted in works of art, as a tribute to the special bond between humans and animals. Meanwhile, however, their portraits never again appear before the eyes of the general public.
The deep storerooms of the MSK do not only hide works of art of pets. Numerous forgotten works, makers and themes are waiting to be seen and admired again. Portraits, still lifes with flowers, medals, works in materials that are overlooked by painting, often made by women who were overshadowed by men. ‘Low art’ is the verdict passed on these forgotten artefacts. They are often ignored and neglected, while the prevailing canon continues to tell the same old stories of value and beauty.
‘Let's break the silence and make the cry of forgotten art heard!’
Schoonvolk! engages in an experiment with forgotten art in the form of their own exhibition. The aim is simple, but also a radical inversion of the norm: what if we cast the canon into the cellar and bring up those sweet little dogs? Under the banner Alternative Narrative, the Belgian art canon is being questioned and critically examined, with the aim of breaking open traditional hierarchies and giving a voice to art that has long stood in the shadows. Let's break the silence and make the cry of forgotten art heard!
The exhibition is an experiment, a venture, a leap of faith. Alternative Narrative is an experiment and an outline of what could be. Even the driving forces behind it do not know what the end result will turn out to be. Will it be well received by audiences? Or will it rather be considered a failure?
This expo is not a fixed concept, but rather an open invitation to museum visitors to participate in a dialogue about art and interpretation. It is an invitation to think about what art means to us and how we can approach it from a new perspective.
From 20 September 2024 to 26 January 2025, the MSK is the scene of the youthful exhibition Alternative Narrative. The youth collective therefore cordially invites you to discover their alternative story and start a new page in the history of the MSK with them.
Lots of love and see you soon,
Schoonvolk!
