FRArt A MODEST PROPOSAL (in a Black Box)

1. VERMEIR & HEIREMANS: biography

  • type: Article
  • ref: DOC.2021.130

The videos and installations of the artist duo Vermeir & Heiremans investigate the complex relationship between art, economy and the built environment in today’s highly globalized world. The artists define their own house as an artwork. The 'house as artwork' functions as a framing device that allows the artists to zoom in on the role the arts play within the ever-growing entanglement between finance, urban development and governing. Their practice employs financial tools, historical references, technology, and cinematic language to reflect on social codes as well as on the production of value in today’s artistic and non-artistic realms.


Vermeir & Heiremans have exhibited their work for a variety audiences.


Nationally (selection): Ici et Maintenant, Brussels (2001); STUK, Louvain (2004); Recyclart, Brussels (2006); Manifesta 9, Genk (2012); Argos, Brussels (2012); Extra City, Antwerp (2012); Triennale Brugge (2015); Staycation, Brussels (2020)


Internationally: 10th Istanbul Biennial (2007), Casino Luxemburg (2008); Arnolfini, Bristol (2009); Nam June Paik Art Center; Yongin (2010); Viennale, Vienna (2011); 7th Shenzhen Sculpture Biennial (2012);  Riga Art Space (2013); 13th Istanbul Biennale (2013); Stroom, Den Haag (2014); Rotwand Gallery, Zurich (2014);  Dojima River Biennale, Osaka (2015); Curated by_Vienna at Georg Kargl Gallery (2015); Transmediale, Berlin (2016); Bucharest Biennale 7 (2016); Rencontres Internationales Paris/Berlin (2017); Kadist, Paris (2017); Glassyard Gallery, Budapest (2018); Art Brussels (2018); Pump House Gallery, London (2018); Kunsten Museum, Aalborg (2020).


Lectures, workshops and conferences (selection): Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University (2009); Batard Festival, Brussels (2013); Critical Practice, London (2014); Goldsmiths, London (2016); Finance & Society, London (2016); De Appel, Amsterdam (2017); RCA, London (2018); RITCS, Brussels (2018); 50° Nord, Iselp, Brussels (2018); Finance & Society, Edinburgh (2018); ERG, Brussels (2018); Apass, Brussels (2019); WIELS, Brussels (2019); KASK, Ghent (2019); ARBA, Brussels (2019); Critical Finance Studies, Birmingham (2019), London (2020).


Artist residencies: P.S.1 International Studio Program, New York (2001-2002); Platform Garanti, Istanbul (2006); CEAC, Xiamen (2009); Theatre In Motion, Beijing (2010); Tokyo Wonder Site, Tokyo (2015)