Festive Opening Monster Chetwynd

Saturday 16 May 2026 from 10:00 to 23:59

Summer Exhibition

Step into the wondrous world of Monster Chetwynd this summer, in her very first outdoor exhibition! In A Friends Making Machine, you’ll discover her large, colourful installations that spark the imagination. They feel like gateways to another universe, built through collage and bricolage from simple materials, and rich with references to film, science and art history.

We open the exhibition with a full day of activities, in the presence of the artist. Experience performances and take part yourself. Join workshops or guided tours, listen to audio tours, and discover the Salamander Portal, the museum’s new additional entrance. All activities are free, no registration required.

Performances

For the opening, the artist activates her installations through both existing and new performances. Expect a literal tableau vivant with more than 15 performers in striking costumes, featuring live music, dance and play. This is where the Friends Making Machine truly comes to life.

Location change

Due to possible bad weather, the performance Iron Age Pasta Necklaces Workshop (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm) will take place in the Braem Pavilion instead of at the Collection Pavilion. Guaranteed to stay dry!

Programme

10:00 am - 5:00 pm — Shadow Creatures Discovery Lab
Create a salamander head and take part in the performance The Immortal Salamander
10:00 am - 2:00 pm — Activation of the installation Tears (2021)
Roll into a tear and experience the installation in a moving way
11:00 am - 5:00 pm — Close-ups
Short free guided tours (20 minutes), starting at the Visitor Pavilion
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm — Performance Bats, Bats, Bats (2026)
Chetwynd’s bat sculptures come to life, ongoing at the Collection Pavilion
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm —Performance Iron Age Pasta Necklaces Workshop (2003/4)
Ongoing at the Braem Pavilion, feel free to join
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm — Shared Reading in the Outdoor Library
Dive into art books about the exhibition (in Dutch)
2:30 pm / 3:00 pm / 3:30 pm — Performance The Immortal Salamander (2026)
A playful inauguration of the Salamander Portal. Put on your salamander head and join in!
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm — Official opening exhibition
With speeches by the artist, the curators and others
5:30 pm / 5:50 pm / 6:10 pm — Performance TEARS (2021)
The artist activates her installation with dancers, performers and musicians (20 minutes)
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm — Dance together
Celebrate the start of the exhibition by dancing with us
7:30 pm — Opening Party at MIKA
Enjoy a bite, a drink and a party with DJ LINA & MIA in the museum café

Good to know

All activities are free
You can find all information in the free exhibition newspaper
Hosts in the sculpture park will guide you and assist during performances
Taste the food trucks in the sculpture park