Sign in with Google
Sign in with email
COLLECTIBLE 2024 Brussels is the seventh edition of a fair dedicated to 21st-century collectible design. Held from March 7th to 10th, 2024, at the Espace Vanderborght in Brussels, Belgium. COLLECTIBLE stands out as the pioneer fair in spotlighting avant-garde pieces, being one of the first to focus on contemporary design exclusively. The show caters to a niche and specific market that it has built momentum over the years. The COLLECTIBLE showcase has been known to blur the lines between functional art and collectible design, exhibiting limited edition and unique pieces that push creative boundaries.
Breaking away from the traditional fair format, COLLECTIBLE seeks to reinterpret the design fair model by offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in an open and integrated space where galleries, design studios, institutions and foundations come together. Situated in Brussels, COLLECTIBLE contributes to positioning Belgium as a place for invention and a vibrant international design destination. This year's fair vows to be even bigger and better than ever before, with over 110 exhibitors from around the world displaying their latest creations. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of unique and limited-edition pieces, including furniture, lighting, jewellery, ceramics, and textile design.
“COLLECTIBLE's curated selection not only fosters dialogue and collaboration within the design community but also solidifies Brussels as a vibrant hub for contemporary design on the global stage. Moreover, the increasing number of designers hosting their own shows during COLLECTIBLE, alongside the emergence of new galleries and designers launching locally at our fair, underscores the vitality of the market. This trend fills us with pride as we witness the continued growth and innovation within the design community that COLLECTIBLE has helped foster,” Liv Vaisberg and Clélie Debehault, co-directors of COLLECTIBLE 2024 tell STIR.
COLLECTIBLE 2024
At the core of COLLECTIBLE, are the fair's Main and Bespoke sections. Each section welcomes participation from international galleries and independent design studios to exhibit the works of both established and emerging contemporary designers. Highlights from these sections include Objects With Narratives (OWN), Max Radford Gallery, Spazio Nobile Gallery, Shåk Gallery, Relay Design Projects and FAINA.
The New Garde section will feature recently founded galleries, project spaces and collectives. This includes names such as Augusta, NeeNee Collective and BLOW SHOP. While the Architect Designer section will offer a dedicated platform for architects and interior designers to exhibit their recently developed projects in the realm of furniture design. This section will include works by around 15 studios in a scenography by Bastiaan Kalmeyer, including Batiik Studio, Luisa Grasso, Maentler Studio, Pieterjan, and Studio MOTO, to name a few.
The Dialogue section invites studios such as Downtown+, WE DO NOT WORK ALONE, Béton Brut and Ateliers Jespers to display works from the 80s and 90s, in conversation with contemporary pieces. The Curated section, titled A Public Display of Affection, will be led by Lebanese, Rotterdam-based curator and educator, Rawad Baaklini. The curatorial note states that the invited participants will explore the expression of love and affection. Elaborating, "While we long for the ability to harness words and sculpt language, the designers will ponder the tools that can help us find our words, amidst the scrapyard of our thoughts". Furthermore, COLLECTIBLE 2024 will also feature an Outdoor section on the 5th floor of the Vanderborght building. Curated by landscape architect Bas Smets, known for his work on projects such as the outdoor park at Notre Dame de Paris and the Fondation Luma, the section will bring together collectible outdoor furniture.
“As visitors step inside COLLECTIBLE 2024 Brussels, they will be greeted by an immersive experience created by the TABLEAU team from Copenhagen — a captivating grotto adorned with hand-painted paper, complemented by immersive sounds, scents, and flowers presented in unique 3D sand vases. Studio Molen, led by Frederik Molenschot, presents ‘S TATI CA,’ an interactive installation in the atrium inspired by Jacques Tati's 'Playtime,' inviting guests to engage and explore the relations between man and nature. The introduction of outdoor collectible works curated by landscape architect Bas Smets adds a rare dimension to the show. Under the theme of love, this year's Curated section, guided by Rawad Baklini, showcases works by 30 designers inspired by this universal emotion. FORMAE magazine occupies a prominent space, highlighting innovative materials shaping the discourse of collectible design. Throughout the venue, Dindins, our catering partner, collaborates with Sonian, a local heartwood producer, to create bespoke furniture, enriching the overall experience. In 2024, COLLECTIBLE promises a year of immersive exploration and discovery,” add Liv Vaisberg and Clélie Debehault.
COLLECTIBLE 2024 Brussels: Focus on Emerging Designers
At COLLECTIBLE, the selection process is overseen by an esteemed international committee comprising individuals of notable expertise. This year, the committee includes Isis Colombe Combréas, the founder of Milk Decoration magazine, Aric Chen, the General and Artistic Director of Nieuwe Instituut, and prominent Berlin-based architect duo Pierre Jorge Gonzalez and Judith Haase of Gonzales Haas. The fair maintains a delicate balance between accessibility for emerging designers and the prestige of established names, ensuring inclusivity and diversity on the platform.
“At COLLECTIBLE, we prioritise premieres and actively scout new galleries and studios ourselves, reflecting our commitment to innovation. Our approach encompasses various sections tailored to diverse needs, including the Curated section that enables participation at minimal cost. Despite not profiting from it, we oversee all aspects, from insurance to sales mediation. Rejecting hierarchy, we intentionally place established galleries alongside emerging ones, fostering a vibrant atmosphere and encouraging media recognition and fairground exploration for newcomers. This dynamic approach solidifies COLLECTIBLE's position as a leading platform for contemporary collectible design,” remark the co-directors of COLLECTIBLE.
In addition, coinciding with its seventh edition, COLLECTIBLE is unveiling its first permanent space, with a show curated by Laurine Abreu dedicated to tableware. Located in the heart of Brussels' art district on rue Saint-Georges, right next to the Avenue Louise and nestled on the ground floor of a typical Brussels house, this new destination will offer bespoke advice and host exhibitions, reflecting the fair's longstanding commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of contemporary design.
COLLECTIBLE 2024 Brussels: Future Plans
“COLLECTIBLE has consistently maintained its international ambition. Even prior to the challenges posed by COVID-19, we had developed various iterations and concepts outside Brussels, some on a larger scale than others. Currently, we are actively working to implement these initiatives across different regions, further expanding our reach and impact on the global stage,” conclude Liv Vaisberg and Clélie Debehault.
What do you think?