Liège's Openairs Triennial Features Inflatable Sculptures by Eight Artists

The fourth edition of Openairs, a public art triennial in Liège's historic center, runs from May 12 to September 30, 2012. Curated by artist Johan Muyle, the exhibition exclusively features inflatable works, challenging conventional sculpture. Eight artists present site-specific pieces that engage with urban space. Highlights include Peter Kogler's 80-square-meter air cushion at the Musée de la Vie wallonne, Claude Lévêque's golden tank 'Cathedral of Tears' in a labyrinthine alley, Audrey Frugier's inflatable house replacing a vacant lot, and Johan Muyle's pirate ship perched on a tea room roof. Other participants are Sophie Giraux, Orlan, Frédéric Plateus, and Elvis Pompilio, who contributes an inflatable hat. Concurrently, Les Brasseurs gallery hosts a solo exhibition of painter Michaël Matthys from May 16 to June 23, 2012, where he revisits his colonial family album in large-format works mixing charcoal, graphite, and blood.