Through a series of photographs by Corentin Haubruge, this exhibition chronicles the major architectural transformation of the Théâtre Jean Vilar, which took place between spring 2022 and summer 2024. The photographs, taken as the work progressed, document the structural and symbolic reconfiguration of this iconic building. The creation of the theatre (architect Jean Potvin) in 1979 was driven by a cultural, social and architectural ambition: to give culture a place in the heart of the new town. This vision is being extended and strengthened today, through the OUEST architecture project. This transformation involves a major constructive act, namely the modification of the infrastructural element that makes up the urban centre: the ‘slab’. Immortalising its cuts and stitches, its reinforcements and openings, the photographs in this exhibition reveal the ephemeral states of this architectural adventure, questioning in the process the challenges of developing a new city rooted in the broader culture of its time.

This exhibition is supported by the Fonds Recherche Création of UCLouvain, a project led by Giulia Marino, Nele De Raedt and Corentin Haubruge.

Partners: UCLouvain Culture, Le Vilar, Ouest Architecture, LOCI+LAB, UCLouvain, Cellule Architecture, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

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Exhibition

L’envers du décor : les coulisses de la transformationarchitecturale du Théâtre Jean Vilar

Thêatre Jean Vilar, Louvain-la-Neuve, 10/18.10.2024

opening:thursday, October 10, 2024, 5 PM

guidedtour: saturday, October 12, 2024, 5 PM

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