A new design for the wedding hall of the city of Brussels

The City of Brussels is looking for a designer and/or artist to create a textile work for the wedding hall of the Brussels City Hall. Both the design of the textile work and its production will be succeeded by the artist from A to Z. This open call gives a designer or artist the opportunity to showcase her / his / their work in one of the City of Brussels' most prestigious buildings. In addition, the design will be the backdrop for the celebration of love for many years to come.

THE HISTORY OF THE EXISTING TEXTILE WORK

The existing textile work was commissioned by the City of Brussels when the City Hall's wedding hall was renovated (along with the tablecloth decorated with a St. Michael). The embroidery was created in 1897 by Hélène du Ménil-De Rudder (1869-1962) from a design she had made with her husband and sculptor Isidore De Rudder (1855-1943). For a long time, the textile work was the only work in the City Hall made by a woman.

Two women, symbolizing Law and Love, unite the couple. A garland of children in the upper section refers to the hope of marriage. The middle section is decorated with two symbols of the city of Brussels: Saint Michael overcoming the devil and the Iris. The embroidery is also known as the Affection and Fidelity.

SUSPENSION SYSTEM & DIMENSIONS

The textile work will have to be integrated into the existing structure which has the following dimensions: 3m86 height and 1m64 width with a 48 cm return.

WHAT DOES THIS CALL FOR APPLICATIONS OFFER YOU?

• Participation in the open call by submitting a cv / portfolio and moodboard.
• If you are selected after the first phase, you will be invited for the jury day to explain a visual presentation of your elaborated project.
• If your project wins, you will realize the design in consultation with the City of Brussels. In addition, you will follow up the production and installation of the project.
• You will participate in the press conference to inaugurate the new textile work.

PROCEDURE FOR THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

PHASE 1 :

• Before submitting your candidacy, you need to visit the wedding hall of the Brussels City Hall where the textile is located. Tour are organized on : 

• Wednesday 29 March at 10:00 am 
• Tuesday 4 April at 2:00pm
• Tuesday 9 may at 10:30 am 

If you want to visit, please confirm your attendance on 1 of these dates at contact@mad.brussels.

• The first phase of selection will be conducted based on your submitted cv, portfolio and  mood board. From all submissions, three candidates will be chosen who will advance to phase 2.

PHASE 2 :

• The 3 final chosen candidates from phase 1 will receive a more detailed briefing of the project. They will present their proposal with a visual presentation to the jury. 
• From the three candidates, 1 finalist will be chosen. The 2 candidates not retained will receive 1,000 euros in compensation for their time spent.
• If you want to visit, please confirm your attendance on 1 of these dates at contact@mad.brussels.

Timing

• Start of the open call: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
• Deadline for submitting your application: Friday, May 12, 2023 (23:59)
• Selection Jury: Tuesday, May 16, from 2:00 to 4:00 
• Announcement of the 3 selected candidates who will advance to phase 2: Week of May 22, 2023
• Deadline to submit your project and visual material in preparation for the final jury: Thursday, June 29, 2023
• Presentation before the jury and announcement of chosen project: Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Meet the jury

The jury is constituted by 

• Dieter Van Den Storm  — Creation & Communication Director of MAD Brussels 
• Bérengère de Lavaleye  — Conservator in charge of the Brussels City Museum and the King's House
• Maïté Springaël —
• Valery Dessy — Protocol Department of the City of Brussels
• Eloise de la Croix — Deputy Head of Department, Marriage and Legal Cohabitation Office - City of Brussels
• Amaryllis Jacobs — 

  Co-Founder of the Gallery MANIERA

• Denise Biernaux — Founder and director of Les Drapiers

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

You can participate in this open call by filling out the form below. Having trouble filling out the form? If so, please contact us on: contact@mad.brussels.