Art / Earth — Jöklaminni: work-in-progress-exhibition (7-23 May) & public event (13 May) at BAC ART LAB, Leuven

In February 2026, Belgian artists Mattias De Craene, Stijn Demeulenaere and Kevin Trappeniers travelled to Iceland together wih curator Nicolas Baeyens for a month-long residency at SÍM in Reykjavík, the first chapter of Art / Earth — Jöklaminni. They walked glaciers, made field recordings, and worked alongside glaciologists from the University of Iceland. Scientific measurements gathered during these expeditions contribute to ICELINK, a European research project on the impact of climate change on polar ice.

In March, Icelandic artists Julie Sjöfn Gasiglia, Vala Sigþrúðar Jónsdóttir, Sigrún Gyða Sveinsdóttir and curator Þóranna Dögg Björnsdóttir came to C-TAKT in Pelt for their own residency. They explored a landscape shaped by flooding and drought: along the Dommel, the IJzer and, guided by Dutch artist Nick Steur, the Maas. Researchers from De Jonge Academie were part of the conversation throughout.

The works emerging from these months of exchange are now on view at BAC ART LAB in Leuven. The Belgian artists show work that was also presented in Reykjavík; the Icelandic artists are presenting their work here for the first time.

On 13 May, Stray Light and De Jonge Academie co-organise a public event: meet-and-greet with artists and scientists, presentation of the works, and a panel discussion moderated by science journalist Ilse Boeren (EOS Science Magazine). At BAC ART LAB. Free admission, registration required at jongeacademie.be/project/art-earth

The exhibition runs until 23 May, Thursday to Saturday from 1 to 6 pm. BAC ART LAB Vital Decosterstraat 102, 3000 Leuven. Pratical info via https://www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/bacartlab/event/10jaar