Truc Troc - exchange fair

I was looking forward to this event, we missed it last year. On arrival at the location it was clear more people did not want to miss this either; there was a very long queue outside in the cold but - luckily -sunny weather. Inside, room after room was packed with art loving visitors. But I'm glad it didn't discourage us.

For one weekend, hundreds of selected artworks from hundreds of artists are on display at one of the leading Museums of Brussels-Belgium. At the entrance the visitors get a pen and post-it notes. The idea is that when a work of art captures your attention and you would like to own it, you can leave a note with something you offer in exchange against the artwork. Money is not allowed. Lucky artists will choose the most seducing offer after the event.

All kinds of visitors, young and old, bourgeoisie and students of all sorts, singles and complete families .... they all have this look in the eyes : will the artist accept my offer in exchange of my favorite artwork?

Already at the back of one of the many rooms do I spot a painting I saw just a few weeks ago at Dirk Eelen's studio, and which I liked (here is the POST about it)

Google 08 - Dirk Eelen - But I can't compete with the generous exchange offers.

I spot a familiar face (not the ones in the foreground), it is painter Antoon Verbeeck (on the right).

Have a look at his site to get a better view on the painting.

And at the time we visited the exhibition late Sunday afternoon, he gattered the most post-it notes. A previous post on Antoon Verbeeck's studio HERE

People leaving notes everywhere. This is work from Bob Van der Auwera.

Dorothée Van Biesen

Joyce Caris

Joyce Caris

Julie Arnould

Michèle Grosjean

Nicolas Velter

Olivier Delatte left - Matthieu Claus right

Feeding the birds - Peggy Wauters

... and the desperate note from a fan.

Robin Vokaer

Rohan Graeffli

Sarah Robin

I recognized the technique immediately, I had seen similar work at the Afforfable Art Fair last year and was impressed. It is from mixed-media artist Sonia Aniceto. Here is the POST about it. I would have loved this one but did not post an offer, was not really prepared.

Names of artists are difficult to find, the tiny labels are hidden under post-it notes.

For privacy reasons I blurred names, phonenumbers and emailadresses on the notes I photographed before posting.

Occasionally the notes will propose an exchange for items similar to the ones on the artwork. In this case a note offered a set of sheets and two pillows.

This note does not refer to the work above but was next to three artworks with erotic scenes. Translation : the body of my husband for one night and I'll watch. I blurred the email address for obvious reasons.

There are notes with tempting and valuable offers, other notes just express appreciation, there are the funny ones ... and some are just plain rude and insulting (anonymous off course). This one just says : I would prefer if you kept it with you (again, not refering to the picture above this one).

Some notes will make a nice link with the desired artwork : the stitched canvas against ...

... usefull sewing lessons.

Everywhere there are people writing notes, trying to compete with so many other offers.

From humble dinners ... to fully catered holidays in Paris or exotic places, or an opportunity to stay at a B&B in Bruges for the rest of the artists life. One could spend the day reading all the notes, and I must admit it put me in a good mood as - in general - the comments are nice and fun to read. A few successful exchanges can be found HERE.

I'll have to stop here, and I apologize for not making links to the artists (except the ones I already have). There were so many of them it would take too long to find out if they have a site or not. If someone knows ... I'll be happy to add it.

Truc Troc at the Bozar

We definitely want to go back next year and in the meantime I will think of possible exchanges. I want to be prepared when I find THE artwork I've always wanted but did not know until then.