Charles Vandenhove: Art in Architecture

A Jeff Wall tapestry? Sol LeWitt paneling? Is this some new Target promotion? Actually, those works aren't for sale to the general public, but are part of architect Charles Vandenhove's signature philosophy of integrating other artists' work into his own designs. And it's one reason he's gained such acclaim and fame, whether for a new design (the Théâtre des Abbesses in Paris) or one of his numerous renovation projects (La Monnaie Theatre in Brussels). Paneling (a Vandenhove hallmark) reworked by LeWitt, Marthe Wéry, and Jacques Charlier; tapestries conceived by Luc Tuymans as well as Wall; designs by Daniel Buren and Patrick Corillon: Each work of art finds a niche in Vandenhove's architecture, creating a deliberate interaction between disciplines. Or as he himself puts it: "As at the time of the Renaissance, I would like the work of artists to be in line with mine; I would like the one not to be able to exist without the other."