In 2010, Myriam Louyest (83.47 KB) discovered the Archives of Brussels on rue des Tanneurs. She was immediately struck by the magic and poetry of the location – a magnificent commercial complex that belonged to the company Jules Waucquez et Compagnie until 1976. For 75 years, the Waucquez family developed and maintained one of the country's largest fabric stores here. Time seems to have stood still since the Archives took up residence in these listed and period-furnished buildings.
Outside, everywhere, digital immateriality reigns supreme. Inside, it is only by consulting the archive in its materiality, on paper or microfilm, that one is able to unearth the history of the City and its inhabitants: the archive exudes a sense of reassurance – everything is catalogued, classified and organised in neatly arranged boxes and on old shelves which previously held fabric rolls, samples, buttons and spools of yarn. Births, deaths, marriages, contracts, plans, newspapers, posters, etc. capture quelque chose du temps – something of the past. Trying desperately, almost tragically, to archive, store and pass on; to save to prevent the past from being lost.
Myriam Louyest does not fail in what is now considered as her distinguishing characteristic: the way in which she uses her works to showcase the locations where she exhibits, inspired by their architecture, history and function, in a dialogue that further enhances both her works of art and their setting. Cut fragments, spun yarns, glass, colours and transparencies, veils or papers – the creations of the artist evoke and suggest “Quelque chose du temps, du temps où l’on ne sera plus” (Something of the past, a past to which we can never return) (Les années, Annie Ernaux, Gallimard, 2008) . Displayed on old counters, in cloth cabinets now used to store documents, or along the monumental stairwell leading to the central canopy, Louyest's work reveals, illuminates or pierces these spaces which it also magnifies, thus revealing forgotten details.
In the era of the cloud, it also leads us to confront the materiality of the archive as a personal or collective bond with the past. It also reminds that this building holds countless memories for the inhabitants of Brussels.
Heritage Days
Open Saturday 14.09 and Sunday 15.09 from 11:00 to 17:00
14.09 > 13.12
Open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00
except on Tuesday from 8:00 to 18:00
Quelque chose du temps - Myriam Louyest
