From March 27 until November 3, the 8th edition of Beaufort Triennale is taking place. Beaufort24 brings 18 new works of art to the unique setting of the Coast. Beaufort is a triennial open-air exhibition along the Belgian coast. This year marks its eighth edition, and once again, there is a walking and cycling route leading you to all the artworks. In De Panne, you can welcome a new permanent artwork by Filip Vervaet, called ‘Staging Sea’.
The Saint Peter’s Church was surrounded by dunes when it was built at the end of the nineteenth century. In 2024, the church square undergoes a transformation: the church is converted into a library, and the stone square is replaced by a dune landscape. Seven lanterns with blue-green glass orbs now adorn this area, referencing the peculiar painting Landscape with Lanterns (1958) by Paul Delvaux.
Staging Sea is a Gesamtkunstwerk: an interplay between the landscape, lanterns, and a pavilion with a fountain. The piece’s colours and light changes like the sea. The fountain visually represents the tidal range on the Belgian coast, which is a substantial five metres. Therefore, it encompasses both a natural and high-tech aspect. While the sea’s proximity is announced, it cannot (yet) be seen from this location. Two of the pavilion’s twelve panels are open, inviting visitors to take a seat. The work not only serves as an ode to the sea, but also as a commentary on the human impact on nature. A common theme in Filip Vervaet’s body of work is the appropriation and malleability of nature.
Curious? Go check it out.
Address: Sint-Pieterskerk, Kerkstraat 53
Over the years, Filip Vervaet (°1977) has developed a highly distinctive visual language. Using a wide range of materials—from traditional bronze and metal to special automotive lacquers and color filters—he combines different elements to create a unique universe. Art historical references, links to existing or non-existing civilizations, and allusions to science fiction converge in sculptures that exist at the margins of past and future, exploring the boundaries of the medium.
