Press
Invitation TO « TRAVELS IN Folon COUNTRY »…
An exceptional retrospective dedicated to the work of the artist Jean-Michel Folon will take place from 25 April until 28 September 2008 in Belgium. The event is an initiative of the eponymous Folon Foundation and the Office de promotion du Tourisme Wallonie-Bruxelles and is supported by the Walloon Minister for Tourism. Belgian and foreign visitors will be able to enjoy a fabulous cultural and touristic itinerary during which they can discover or rediscover the multiple aspects of this talented artist against the backdrop of our country……
There is no need to present Jean-Michel Folon : this artist with an international reputation was a man of great conviction and talent, and his work is widely recognized. Folon, who died far too young, nevertheless thought about his legacy and public access to his work during his lifetime. In 2000 he inaugurated the Folon Foundation at the Farm of the Castle of la Hulpe in the heart of Solvay Park. Imagined by its ingenious creator, the Folon Foundation provides an overview of 40 years of creation, in an original and vibrant setting. More than 300 works are on display and highlight the artist’s prolific output, including watercolours, silkscreen prints, engravings, posters, objects, stained glass windows, sculptures, etc.
A BELGIAN RETROSPECTIVE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION …
After having celebrated Folon’s talent and artistry abroad (with major exhibitions in New York, Tokyo, Barcelona, Lisbon and a retrospective in Florence in 2005), the Foundation and the Office de promotion du Tourisme Wallonie-Bruxelles wanted to create an event with national and international allure in Belgium.
The aim of this retrospective, which will take place over a five-month period in Belgium, is to highlight those works that are part of the Folon Foundation’s permanent collection as well as works by the artist all over Belgium. This initiative was rapidly made possible thanks to the unconditional support of the Walloon Minister for Tourism, Benoît Lutgen, as Wallonia is an important repository for the artist’s works.
…ALL OVER BELGIUM
This is a real itinerary, blending the (re)discovery of Folon’s work with that of our landscapes, cities and villages, available from 25 April onwards. This discovery trail, based on the works on show at the Folon Foundation and during various temporary events (see enclosed itinerary), will highlight some well-known and lesser known aspects of the artist, from Knokke to Marche-en-Famenne. e.
The epicentre of this event is naturally the Folon Foundation itself, which will be organizing an exceptional exhibition of 40 sculptures against the green backdrop of Solvay Park.
But this internationally important event can also count on the support of various partners in the tourism industry (hotels, restaurants, etc.), which will complete the itinerary available to Belgian and foreign tourists travelling through our country on the occasion of the 2008 Folon retrospective.
Folon 2008, which includes a varied programme with numerous events in locations that are illuminated by the presence of the artist’s work, will be the cultural and touristic highlight of the coming year.
Press relations :
Sparkies
Cécile Istace / Géraldine Dardenne
+32 (0)2 346 90 85
OPT Wallonie-Bruxelles
Martine Van Romphey