Sketching for the Basilica | 30.03.2025 - 31.03.2026 | MMRK in basiliek Koekelberg

mrt 2025

mrt 2026

Sketching for the Basilica, Architect Albert Van huffel, Art deco & 100 years of Arts and Architecture

The Museum of Modern Religious Art [Museum voor Moderne Religieuze Kunst] is showing, for the first time, never-before-seen sketches from the 1920’s by architect Albert Van huffel (1877-1935) in dialogue with contemporary art works by Karel Breugelmans, Johan Creten, Mehdi-Georges Lahlou, Nikita Kadan, Renato Nicolodi, Maria Kley, Daniël C. Müller, Denys Shantor, Felix Stöckle and also in dialogue with a selection of the museums own collection, including work by James Ensor, Felix De Boeck, Jos Hendrickx, Constant Permeke and many others. The exhibition is completed with glass works from the Glazenhuis Collection.
Several construction site photos and full-size models illustrate the application of the experimental material, terracotta concrete.

Architect Albert Van huffel

The virtuosity that Albert Van huffel (1877-1935) displays in his sketches is unprecedented. Dozens of variations for the towers, just as many design sketches for the main dome, different models for the panels of the balustrades, very realistically detailed watercolours of the Art Deco interior of the Basilica.Van huffel sketches his dream basilica in all possible forms, from a dome in the shape of a ziggurat, where one can walk on a sloping path to the lantern, to the entire urban development in the surrounding park landscape. Everything was creatively worked out down to the smallest detail in over three hundred sketches, from which the museum selected about fifty. The originals from the Albert Van huffel Archive, Design Museum Ghent collection, are mostly small-format. Because these sketches are all true works of art, they were enlarged especially for this exhibition.The typical spirit of the time and the specific character of Art Deco only become clear in the sketches. They illustrate the architect’s own and very personal thought and design process. He saw the Basilica as his Art Deco total work of art: drawing as design thinking.The exhibition sheds a completely new light on Van huffel’s first dreams for the realization of what became one of the five largest churches in the world and the largest Art Deco building.

Art deco & 100 years of Arts and Architecture

In this exhibition, in the context of the Art Deco year 2025, Albert Van huffel’s sketches are confronted with works from the MMRK’s own collection, the collection of the Glass House and with works by contemporary artists Karel Breugelmans, Johan Creten, Maria Kley, Mehdi-Georges Lahlou, Daniël C. Müller, Renato Nicolodi, Denys Shantar and Felix Stöckle. Some also provide an insight into their own creative process with a preparatory sketch.
In collaboration with galerie Almine Rech, Brussels and galerie Transit, Mechelen.
Curated by Jos Vandenbreeden.

The Museum of Modern Religious Art (MMRK)

The MMRK has been housed in the unique dome gallery on the third floor of the Basilica since 2007. The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art with a specific inspiration and has its roots in an old tradition. It stands for dialogue and diversity of expression, allowing attention to be paid to encounter, dialogue and openness of mind.
Location: Basiliekvoorplein 1 – 1083 Brussels – Large free parking
Entrance gate 6 – The museum is located in the dome (3rd floor)
To gain access, you must use the elevator(s). Tickets are available at the reception desk or at the machine.
Open: Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.