Night at the museum organized by Pôle Muséal Mons with theatrical performances, installations, creative
workshops.. all activities which mark our route during the evening. Mons
museums are placed under the spotlight, on August 21, 2015 - from 6 pm until
midnight.
This is an evening out of the
ordinary where we really enjoy the free visit to the museums in the warmth of
summer.
Starting from the Musée du Doudou and had to wait about 20 minutes before I could
got in (full story on the next post).
Then we continue to the Musée d'histoire Naturelle for the exhibition of Mons in the Age of The Great
Discoveries (free visit until October 31, 2015). This is one of the finest natural history museums in Belgium.
Visiting this museum not only remind us of a field trip with our school,
but seeing the collections we kinda wished it would come alive just like in the
movie of “Night at the Museum”.
Within few minutes walk, we arrived at Artothèque which
just opened on Easter weekend. The Chapel of the former Ursuline
Convent, a remarkable example of classical architecture dating from the early
18th century and a listed heritage building turned into the heart of the museum hub. An
art library and conservation centre for Mons heritage. Through interactive multimedia
devices available, it’s a new way to explore and discover the hidden
collections and museums of Mons. During the visit, we were also offered a
private guide who acted like a robot. One of the most unique experience we’ve
had.
To enjoy the atmosphere of course we thought we have to go
the the Grand Place. The Salle
Saint-Georges which conveniently
located at the main square were hosting an exhibition called
“Ouvrir les Murs”, a glimpse of the changes that have modernized and
reorganized the town for 150 years. It addresses different angles, urban,
architectural, historical, sociological, geotechnical ... the transformation of
the town of Mons.
It’s almost midnight and we decided to check out one last
venue, the Beaux-Arts
Mons (BAM) with
an art exhibitions called “MONSens”, Art Brut from Yesterday and Today. Initiated by platforms concerned with mental health issues,
this exhibition offers a historical and contemporary approach to the meaning
(or “sens” in French) of artwork created by artists working
within institutions or on the margins of the official ‘art world’. One of the most interesting part,
there was a ‘Schizometer‘, diagnostic
labeling by creating objects that challenge the psychiatric classification of
mental disorders. For example, my height indicates that I have anorexie mentale/ anorexia nervosa. People were
agreed with the result by seeing me in person and I was LOL (I might have that
size zero body image, but really I have no eating disorder).
Finally we climbed to the rooftop of BAM for a nice Friday
night out. The Rooftop Alhambra
opened during the weekend of summer months (July and August 2015). A cool yet
cozy hang out spot in Mons to have a drink and dance to great tunes played by
local DJs.