The story continues in Venice.
As TheMerode settles into the city this week, another Belgian cultural voice is leaving its mark on the Venetian landscape: @fondazionedriesvannoten
TheMerode was invited to the Fondazione for a dinner celebrating @miet_warlop and her performance for the Belgian Pavilion, a reminder that far from home, Belgian creativity continues to move as a collective force.
Opened by Dries Van Noten and Patrick Vangheluwe within the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta, the foundation is dedicated to craftsmanship, artistic dialogue, and the art of making in all its forms.
Now on view until October 4th, 2026, The Only True Protest Is Beauty unfolds through more than 200 works spanning fashion, jewellery, design, photography, ceramics, glass, and contemporary art.
Curated by Dries Van Noten and Geert Bruloot, the exhibition transforms the Venetian palazzo into a dialogue between disciplines, materials, and gestures, where beauty becomes not an ornament, but a force of expression.
A Belgian vision of culture, resonating far beyond borders.
In the heart of @themerode.brussels , TheOtium Bar is redefining what a members’ club can feel like. Inspired by the ancient Roman philosophy of otium, time dedicated to reflection, art and meaningful conversation, this new space designed around a signature library by @axelvervoordt_co is where Brussels’ entrepreneurs, creatives and decision-makers come to think, connect and be inspired.
More than a bar. A sanctuary for ideas.
Read the full article on Forbes Belgium.
#forbesbelgium #forbesbelgie #forbesbelgique
Today marks the official opening of the Venice Biennale and the Belgian Pavilion, where Miet Warlop represents Belgium at the Biennale Arte 2026 with her exhibition-performance IT NEVER SSST.
Before Venice.
TheMerode offered its members exclusive access to her world:
an intimate dinner in her studio,
a live conversation on art and performance,
an immersive audiovisual night at Ökēn.
One artist. Three unforgettable moments.
Tomorrow, Saturday May 9th, marks the opening of the 61st Venice Art Biennale 2026.
TheMerode is proud to support the Belgian Pavilion and Miet Warlop’s new performance « It never SSST » : a living, musical sculpture continuously rebuilt through the physical act of support itself.
This year’s Biennale resonates closely with the conversations hosted at TheMerode through our Art Matters series by Kendell Geers, which has brought together leading voices of contemporary art, including Koyo Kouoh and Marina Abramović. Earlier this season, we also had the privilege of welcoming Miet Warlop at TheMerode, offering our members exclusive access to her artistic universe ahead of Venice.
A look back at the talks, the encounters, and the moments that brought us here.
More from Venice - coming soon.
