The Death of James Lee Byars

About

Based in Brussels, the non-profit Vanhaerents Art Collection presents its second major exhibition outside of Belgium. Opening in time for the Venice Biennale, 'The Death of James Lee Byars' pairs artists Byars and Moultaka in an existential conversation about mortality and mysticism.

Set to occupy Venice's Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione is The Death of James Lee Byars, an exhibition curated by Walter Vanhaerents pairing conceptual American artist James Lee Byars and Lebanese artist composer Zad Moultaka. The historic church along the banks of the Giudecca Canal is best known for its classic Renaissance façade and wooden-paneled ceiling. It was a fascination with museum architecture that originally drew Walter Vanhaerents to the arts in the first place, years after he had joined the family construction business. Eventually, he founded the not-for-profit Vanhaerents Art Collection in 2006.