Expo at Bozar explores the changing face of love

Love is Louder, a new exhibition in Bozar in Brussels, features works by artists from 27 different countries and explores how the face of love has changed throughout history.

The exhibition, which will run from 12 October until 5 January at the Brussels centre for fine arts, explores the metamorphosis of the concept of love from the Summer of Love in 1967 to the present day. 

In a time of increasing polarisation, Love is Louder hopes to put the focus back on love, or what unites us. Over 120 works by artists including Marina Abramović, Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin, Nan Goldin and Bruce Nauman will be on display.

Personal and political

The exhibition oscillates and balances between the personal experience of love and love as a political concept. "Visitors will explore three dimensions of love: romantic love, family ties and friendship, and finally a social and broader understanding of love," said Zöe Gray, curator of the exhibition at Bozar.

Together with some eighty artists, Gray traces how the concept of love has evolved over the years and shaped the reality around it, from traditional couples and nuclear families, to free and subversive love in the late 1960s, to polyamory and newer, more open forms of experiencing love and sexuality, intimacy and togetherness today. 

Louder than what?

The complexity of the concept forms the core philosophy of the exhibition. Bozar borrowed the title of the exhibition from the work of Sam Durant, which is also included in the exhibition. 

"The question that immediately arises is: louder than what?" said Gray. "The answer is different for everyone. Louder than war? Louder than loss? It's up to the audience to fill in the blanks."

^{© BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER}