The Brussels Expertise Labels is organising the third edition of the BEL Prizes and presenting its ephemeral exhibition program on the theme “When expertise meets art.” This new edition highlights collaborations between BEL members and players in the creative world. The event will be held at Autoworld from November 29 to December 1, 2024. These two not-to-be-missed events celebrate the exceptional know-how and expertise of emerging and established talents.
For three years now, the Brussels Expertise Labels has been honouring and supporting exceptional entrepreneurship of today and tomorrow. For this new edition, the «Brussels Expertise Transmission» prize will recognize a young talent who embodies the future of Brussels’ expertise, while the «Brussels Insider Expert» award will honour an individual or a Brussels-based organisation that has significantly contributed to enhancing Brussels’ reputation on a regional, national, and international level.
The Brussels Expertise Labels (BEL) is a Brussels label created in 1933. Its mission is to promote, defend, and represent exceptional know-how in Belgium and internationally. The BEL also aspires to open up and exchange with younger companies with different approaches.
What are the BEL Prizes?
Brussels Expertise Labels was keen to select laureates from a wide range of backgrounds for the BEL PRIZES. Once again, the BEL used an evaluation grid based on strict criteria. These include, first and foremost, sharing BEL’s entrepreneurial vision, allowing for exchange and interaction with its members. The laureates, along with their way of practicing their activity, must reflect diverse representation, prioritising various origins. Their work was evaluated in terms of viability and sustainability. Additionally, innovation and creativity of these young talents were at the heart of the selection process. Finally, only the laureates offering products or services of excellence and exceptional character, consistent with BEL’s values, can aspire to the title of « Brussels Expertise Transmission ». The nominees for the titles « Brussels Insider Expert » and « Brussels Expertise Transmission» will be revealed in a limited audience on November 28.
2024 Prize List in Quartet
Laure Kasiers: A textile designer by training, Laure Kasiers creates and hand-makes unique, made-to-measure rugs and other textile objects in her Brussels workshop. Her handmade, local creations follow her own alternative process, combining technical know-how with an artistic approach. Committed to a sustainable and eco-responsible approach, she uses end-of-stock materials from Belgian factories recycled or bio-sourced fibers.
Alexia de Ville for Tenue de Ville: Author and publisher of exclusive wallpaper designs since 2015, Alexia de Ville stands out for her elegant, poetic, and graphic creations, composed of revisited classic patterns, as well as more abstract or nature-inspired motifs. For the past few years, the creator has been giving a second life to the offcuts created by her activity by assembling them into weavings.
Nouné Muradyan for Rish: Founder of Rish, the Brussels entrepreneur launched the production of refined non-alcoholic fermented beverages (kombuchas and pét-nats). These are produced in Brussels, at the Rish Lab factory. Wanting to introduce new, healthier, and more exciting consumption experiences, the label collaborates with chefs, renowned establishments, and creative minds to develop recipes and create a unique experience.
Guilain Servriere and Elisabeth Trivière for Bel Albatros: Creators of Bel Albatros, a Brussels eco-responsible plastics company that recycles industrial plastic waste and transforms it into a new, responsible, and durable material combining aesthetic appeal and the characteristics of plastic. The panels are 100% recyclable and suitable for common indoor applications such as furniture, worktops, coverings, and many other possibilities with a custom range.
In addition to receiving prestigious recognition and excellent visibility, the winner of this third edition of the BEL Prizes will leave with a trophy signed by the young and talented artist Romain Zacchi. The jury brings together prominent figures from the Brussels entrepreneurial and artisanal landscape. Under the presidency of Pierre Marcolini (Pierre Marcolini), this year’s BEL committee comprises Serge Silber (Marie’s Corner), Xavier De Breucker (Cubex), Bernard Helson (Maison Dandoy), Jean-Gabriel de Coninck (De Coninck), Jean-Louis Barré (Le Saint-Aulaye), and Mélanie Rigo (Dominique Rigo).
The BEL Prizes Exhibition: When Brussels expertise meets the creative scene
This ephemeral exhibition is intended to present the expertise of its members, as well as the convergence of know-how and art. In total, nearly 60 artistic collaborations born from an exchange between a BEL member and an artist, a creative studio, a designer, a school, etc., will be presented to the public during the exceptional BEL Prizes exhibition, which will take place at Autoworld from November 29 to December 1, 2024.
The exhibition immerses visitors in the fascinating world of Brussels expertise, combining exceptional know-how and artistic creation (ceramists, painters, sculptors, visual artists, schools, architecture firms, engineers…). This staging is primarily a rich human experience that embodies an openness to the world, a fusion between different worlds, magnifying reality, working towards uniqueness, and forging lasting bonds through the sharing of knowledge and visions. These creations, mostly unprecedented, explore new techniques and perspectives of expression, opening unsuspected horizons.
« Our job is to create an emotion, even to provoke reflection. What we create is the reflection of our personal journey. Everything must make sense. This project places Brussels at the heart of a dynamic creative network open to the world. »
Pierre Marcolini Président du BEL
This temporary exhibition is an ode to Brussels, known and recognised as one of the most dynamic European cities on the artistic scene and distinguished by its expertise and excellence in many fields. Some internationally renowned and others more discreet, the Houses of BEL share the common goal of embodying excellence in all their uniqueness.
The presented duos
The unique creations that will be exhibited are the result of the work of duos of innovative minds. Among the many works presented during this ephemeral exhibition, visitors will find creations marking the following artistic collaborations: Autoworld Brussels and Ever Meulen, Baobab Collection and Serge Anton, Bayer & Bayer and Bruno Belva, Bodart Opticiens with INSA Strasbourg students Elena and Haimavati, Bouvy and CAD Brussels, Cachemire Coton Soie and Caroline Harrius, Charles Schambourg by Nacarat and Marceline Leduc, Choux de Bruxelles and Sophie Hees & Barbara Deoniziuk, Comme chez Soi and Isabelle Ravet, Corica and Margaux Baert, and Manook, De Coninck and Stefan De Jaeger, Delvaux and René Magritte, Diane von Fürstenberg Belgium and Konstantin Kakanias, D’Ieteren Luxury Performance and Augustin Sagehomme, Direct Way Worldwide and Jean-Paul Gaultier, Dominique Rigo and Louis de Fabribeckers, Festi Rent and Julien Jasmin for Cloud Studio, Filigranes and Isaac Salazar, Gallery Patrick & Ondine Mestdagh and Olivier Tallec, Hall of Time and Philippe Geluck, Hotel Amigo and Roseline d’Oreye, JML and Laila Gohar, Les Jeux d’Hiver and All-Star Collection, L’Antichambre and Sozyone Gonzalez, Le Beau a une Adresse and Stefana McClure, Le Saint-Aulaye and Joëlle Pontseel, Lunetier Ludovic and Marcel Mariën (homage), Maison Dandoy and Léa Maltese, Maison De Greef and Philip Wittmann, Maison Degand and Bodenhorst, Maison Delvaux and Magritte Foundation, Marie’s Corner and Jan Erika, Menssa and Charlotte de Lantsheere, Monsel and Jaune, Natan and Christophe Coppens, New Embert and Pierre Lallemand, Pierre Marcolini and Leo Luccioni, Rob The Gourmets Market and Anne-Sophie d’Oultremont, Rouge Pivoine and Les Tables de Joséphine, Serneels and Véronique Paternoster, Teinturerie De Geest and M.Zurstrassen, The Hotel and Louis Appelmans, Toucan sur Mer and Sandrine Peten, Van Thienen and Mademoiselle Jo or even Wolfers and Analepse Plumassière.
The BEL Prizes exhibition will be unveiled to the public alongside the “When Automotive Design becomes Art” exhibition, which showcases and explores the car as an art object, far more than just a means of transport.
Practical Information
The ephemeral exhibition “When savoir-faire meets art” will be held at Autoworld from November 29 to December 1, 2024. Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Address : Autoworld – Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Brussels
Entry fee : €15 (access to the Brussels Expertise Labels “When savoir-faire meets art” exhibition as well as Autoworld’s permanent collection + “When Automotive Design becomes Art” exhibition).