BRUSK opens on Friday 8 May 2026 with not one but two world-class inaugural exhibitions

December 1, 2025

Following its pre-opening weekend in September, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors, BRUSK – the new art gallery in the heart of Bruges – will officially open on 8 May 2026 with a unique double programme of top-tier international exhibitions: the first solo in Belgium by Refik Anadol, the internationally acclaimed pioneer in AI-driven art, and the prestigious cultural-historical exhibition “Bigger Picture”, through which Bruges reconnects with the origins of its international identity as a cosmopolitan city avant la lettre.

Download the detailed press kit at the bottom of the page.

Together, the two exhibitions set the tone for what BRUSK seeks to be: international yet locally rooted, socially relevant, and full of surprising and atypical connections. With Bruges as their shared point of departure, “Bigger Picture” and Refik Anadol form an opening duo that is simultaneously anchored in eight centuries of history and firmly situated in the present.

The festive opening weekend in and around the art gallery (8–10 May 2026) has been designated a Top Event by Flanders and is considered one of the cultural highlights of 2026.

Refik Anadol

Turkish-American new media artist Refik Anadol is internationally renowned for his monumental art installations created in collaboration with artificial intelligence. His work is considered groundbreaking in the evolution of art and has previously been exhibited at the Guggenheim Bilbao and MoMA New York.

Anadol's solo exhibition in Bruges is an absolute first for Belgium. For BRUSK, Anadol is creating an entirely new immersive installation powered by data from Bruges itself - from the city’s medieval urban networks and architectural structures to its rich art collections and even the invisible rhythms of everyday life. The exhibition challenges the senses and blurs the boundaries between humanity, nature and technology.

Bigger Picture

At the same time, the prestigious cultural-historical exhibition “Bigger Picture” offers a new perspective on Bruges as a medieval metropolis.

Developed in collaboration with renowned British historian and author Prof. Dr. Peter Frankopan (Oxford University) and a team of national and international experts, the exhibition highlights crucial yet often forgotten stories from our history. Featuring exceptional artworks and objects from world-class museums– from Bellini's iconic 'Portrait of Mehmed II' (National Gallery, London) to manuscripts from the Vatican Apostolic Library – “Bigger Picture” reveals how Bruges has been connected to the wider world for centuries: from Jerusalem to Venice, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and the so-called “New World”.

Tickets are on sale from 1 December 1 2025 via bruskbrugge.be

Quotes

“For centuries, Bruges has been a city of connections between worlds, ideas and people. With BRUSK, we continue this tradition in a way that brings together art, artists, visitors and residents. Here, our heritage inspires tomorrow’s imagination. Bruges demonstrates its own world-class strengths: innovative, multi-layered and connected to its time." - Mayor Dirk De fauw

"BRUSK will be a place where art dares. Where old and new stories challenge, surprise, and inspire one another. Here, there is no need to choose between past and present: BRUSK brings them into dialogue. Flemish Primitives alongside AI art, the painter’s hand next to the data network. The combination of “Bigger Picture” and Refik Anadol is no coincidence but a statement. All of this is embedded within a strong public programme featuring an inspiring range of activities – from introductory tours, workshops and performances to lectures and events for children. From day one, BRUSK aims to be a place for everyone." - Alderman of Culture Nico Blontrock