John Baldessari
Past event
Cancelled
Postponed
19 Sept.'25 →
1 Feb.'26
Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales
John Baldessari (1931-2020) was a giant of contemporary art, whose codes he turned upside down. This autumn, Bozar is offering an essential insight into his work, a must for anyone wanting to grasp the subtleties of the avant-garde in the second half of the 20th century.
This exhibition is one of the first in Europe since his passing. It focuses more specifically on his work during the 1980s, which was also the decade of profound breakthroughs that saw the artist emancipate himself from convention. Known for his assemblages of cropped and colourised photos and films, Baldessari constantly blurred visual boundaries, questioning artistic practice and teaching. An influential artist on the contemporary art scene, he introduced a complex narrative tinged with humour, creating a new visual alphabet that influenced both North America and Europe. The exhibition will explore and illustrate the impact of his work, and its relevance to generations born in the digital age.
Campaign Image: John Baldessari, Arms and legs (specif, elbows & knees),etc, part (one) : arm and leg (with column) © John Baldessari 2007,Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari © 2025; Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation; Sprüth Magers
John Baldessari, Money (Flesh)/Glider (Blue), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 1990. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Craig Robins Collection, Miami
John Baldessari, The Duress Series, Person Holding on to Pole Attached to Exterior of Tall Building, Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2003. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Herbert Collection, Ghent
John Baldessari, Noses and Ears, (Part One) : Hand Holding Cigarette and Head (with Nose), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2006
John Baldessari, Noses and Ears, (Part One) : Hand Holding Cigarette and Head (with Nose). Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2006. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Private Collection, Lisbon, Portugal
John Baldessari, Pink Shape over Enrapted Figure (Near White Shape), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 1990. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation
John Baldessari, Money (Flesh)/Glider (Blue), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 1990. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Craig Robins Collection, Miami
John Baldessari, The Duress Series, Person Holding on to Pole Attached to Exterior of Tall Building, Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2003. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Herbert Collection, Ghent
John Baldessari, Noses and Ears, (Part One) : Hand Holding Cigarette and Head (with Nose), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2006
John Baldessari, Noses and Ears, (Part One) : Hand Holding Cigarette and Head (with Nose). Courtesy ©John Baldessari 2006. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation © 2025 Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari ; Sprüth Magers ; Private Collection, Lisbon, Portugal
John Baldessari, Pink Shape over Enrapted Figure (Near White Shape), Courtesy ©John Baldessari 1990. Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation
Practical information
Dates
Location
BOZAR/Centre for Fine Arts
Rue Ravenstein 23 1000 BRUSSELSRates
MyBozar Card
€ 14
<26 MyBozar Card
€ 9
Standard
€ 18
< 26 year
€ 13
< 18 year
€ 0
>65 year
€ 16
Card : Preferential Reimbursement / EU Disability
€ 9
Accessibility | Wheelchair & Blind
€ 0
Accessibility | Companion wheelchair & Blind
€ 0
museumPASSmusées
€ 0
ICOM
€ 0
Carte press / Perskaarten : VVJ, AJP, IFJ, API-IPA, AICA
€ 0
Brussels Card
€ 0
Related events
Talks & Debates
Literature
Dirk van Bastelaere meets John Baldessari
See also
Partners
- John Baldessari Family Foundation
- Estate of John Baldessari & Sprüth Magers
Support
- Vlaamse Overheid
- Craig Robins Collection Miami
- uhoda
- Sprüth Magers