09 Sep 2023 -  17 Sep 2023

Between heaven and earth

Event organised by Myriam Thomas

In Flanders, beguinages were established from the 13th century onwards for women who wanted to lead a devout life without taking a monastic vow. From 1940 on, the beguine movement declined sharply and in Flanders it has completely died down since. Glass artist Myriam Thomas used some archive daily life photos from beguines in Ghent around 1920 as starting material to evoke a now silenced world in a small 3D installation of viewing boxes.

Myriam Thomas received her glass art training at the Institute for Arts and Crafts IKA in Mechelen (B) where she graduated in 2020 with an installation that immediately garnered international selections. She chooses and adapts her techniques depending on the atmosphere she wants to evoke, sometimes relying on her scientifical background. Now she works as an independent glass artist in her studio in Belgium.

Works on display:
Title of works: Between heaven and earth (1. The bride 2.The bleaching meadow 3. The sewing room 4. The convent corridor 5. A room for her own 6. The daily bread 7. The evening service 8. The last journey).
Technique and materials: Kiln fired processed photographic decals, kiln fired painting, cold working.
Float glass panels 4 mm, viewing boxes in wood.
Dimensions: 19,3 cm x 17,5 cm x 11,4 cm (each viewing box)

Event Dates

From Saturday 09 September to Sunday 17 September

Event Notes

10am - 6pm

Il servizio serale (uno degli otto contenitori dell'installazione
The evening service (one of eight viewing boxes of the installation “Between heaven and earth”) - Myriam Thomas, Materials and techniques: Float glass panels 4 mm ; Kiln fired processed photographic decals on float glass , viewing boxes in wood 19,3 cm x 17,5 cm x 11,4 cm - All source material came from the photographic archive in Ghent. This viewing box depicts the evening church service office of the beguines, probably around 1920.
A sinistra:
Left: “The last journey” Right: “A room for her own” These are 2 of the viewing boxes belonging to the installation “Between heaven and earth” - Myriam Thomas, Materials and techniques: Float glass panels 4 mm ; Kiln fired processed photographic decals on float glass , viewing boxes in wood 19,3 cm x 17,5 cm x 11,4 cm (each). The viewing box on the left represents the funeral of a beguine, probably around 1920-1930. The box on the right depicts an anonymous beguine who lived in the Beguinage of St Amandsberg (near Ghent) around 1930. PS. This Beguinage is now classified as world heritage.
“The bride” (from the installation “Between heaven and earth”) - Myriam Thomas, Materials and techniques: Float glass panels 4 mm ; Kiln fired processed photographic decals on float glass , viewing boxes in wood 19,3 cm x 17,5 cm x 11,4 cm. Another viewing box belonging to the same installation: It depicts the ceremony where a young beguine is accepted within the community (probably around 1930).
Get Directions

Between heaven and earth

Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Palazzo Loredan 2945 - 30124 Venezia