We are honoured to share the great news that Koen Vanmechelen, one of the most prolific and prominent contemporary artists of our time, has become Ambassador of the BJF.
Being a multi- and transdisciplinary artist, Koen Vanmechelen is one of the most prolific and prominent contemporary artists of our time. Central to his extensive and innovative oeuvre is the concept of bio-cultural diversity and identity.Vanmechelen lives in the northeast of Belgium. He is an honorary citizen of his native town of Sint-Truiden.
Over the past decade Vanmechelen has collaborated with scientists from different disciplines. His ground-breaking work earned him an honorary doctorate at the University of Hasselt in 2010 and the Golden Nica Hybrid Art in 2013.
Vanmechelen uses a plethora of artistic tools for his work – from painting and video to installations, innovative 3D-techniques, sculptures and glass -, which includes four projects.
These are:
* The ‘Cosmopolitan Chicken Research Project’ (CC®P),
* The wooden statue ‘Cosmogolem’,
* The fertility project ‘Walking Egg’
* The WWI remembrance project ‘Combat’.
In 2011 the supporting foundations were grouped into the ‘Open University of Diversity’.
His ground-breaking work has been presented at almost every continent on our planet. Just a few examples are his exhibitions at the National Gallery in London, the Museum of Arts & Design in New York, the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum Kunst Palast in Düsseldorf. Furthermore at the prestigious Biennial of Venice and at the World Expo in Shanghai.
In January 2015, the city of Genk and Koen Vanmechelen have launched a project to construct a new contemporary destination on the former site of the ‘Zoo van Zwartberg’ – La Biomista, an extraordinary project where the ambitions of the artist and the city converge.The site of 20 hectares consists of three identities: the villa, the studio and the park. The new sections on the site are designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta.
Always on the move, Koen Vanmechelen proudly donates his time and talent to raise awareness and support for the Black Jaguar foundation.
