MIMA Museum Opens in Molenbeek, Brussels, as a Response to Terrorism

In the wake of the March 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels, the Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA) opened on April 15 in the Molenbeek district, an area often labeled as high-risk due to its immigrant population and previous tensions. The museum, dedicated to 2.0 culture and new creative trends, spans three floors and includes a terrace, café, and shop. Its collection features works by Parra (who also designed the logo), Alicia McCarthy, Todd James, and Barry McGee. The opening, originally scheduled for March 24, was postponed after the attacks and became an inclusive celebration with no VIP entrance. Street artists such as Swoon, Maya Hayuk, Momo & Fayle, and FTRSND performed. MIMA was founded by Alice van den Abeele, Raphaël Cruyt, and Michel and Florence de Launoit; van den Abeele and Cruyt are co-founders of Alice Gallery, while Michel de Launoit is a producer and founder of Akamusik. The museum's launch occurred during a period of heightened security concerns for the upcoming Art Brussels fair, whose manager Anne Vierstraete gave an interview to Artnet to reassure collectors and visitors about safety measures. MIMA's opening drew large crowds of young people and curious visitors, symbolizing a triumph of life and art over fear.