The Belgian Exhibition That Strives to "Decenter" the West

Bruges, a picturesque city in Belgium, boasts a historic and unchanging charm reminiscent of a scene frozen in a snow globe. However, the exhibition "Connected worlds of Bruges 900-1550" challenges this notion by showcasing the city's extensive historical ties with the rest of the world. The exhibition is hosted by BRUSK, a new gallery named after Bruges and "fine art" (schone kunsten), and is curated by Peter Frankopan, an Oxford medievalist and renowned author of a popular history of the Silk Road.

Besides highlighting Bruges' global connections, the exhibition aims to decenter the "West" from its self-proclaimed position as the center of civilization. This is achieved through a video presentation of Frankopan's narration that plays upon entering the gallery. Despite these dual objectives, the exhibition has faced some criticism for attempting both to decenter Europe and demonstrate Bruges' centrality in international networks.

The exhibition features over 250 diverse objects, ranging from intricate chain mail jackets and ancient silk fragments to significant artworks by painters like Titian, Jan van Eyck, and Hans Memling, as well as religious relics, manuscripts, Turkish carpets, Viking artifacts, coins, religious attire, and more. To accommodate this vast array of items, the exhibition is divided into four "worlds," each represented by a distinct enclosure and soundscape.

The "North Sea World," for example, is characterized by triangular sail-like panels, while the "Mediterranean World" is under a pavilion-style tent. Each world is further accompanied by a unique soundscape, such as the chirping of birds for the Mediterranean and the creaking of wagon wheels for the North Sea. The "World of Christianity" features bells, while the "World of the Court" is accompanied by gentle string instrument plucking. The lit-up islands, connected by white lines, create a visually striking and immersive experience.