Hesselt (Brussels Morning) – The Paardsdemer Chapel located inside the Z33 arts center in Hasselt will be open permanently after the Virga Jesse Festival. It features a wooden interior and a mural by Amber Andrews depicting Mary and other women in various roles of service and care.
The Chapel of Paardsdemer will be open permanently during the Virga Jesse Festival. It’s inside the Z33 arts center with a wooden interior dedicated to women. After the festival it will be a modern spot for reflection in Hasselt. The chapel has a long history since 1374 moved to Z33 in 1958. It used to open every 7 years during Virga Jesse.
What is the significance of the Paardsdemer Chapel opening permanently?
On September 8, 1374, a wooden statue of Mary washed into the city with the Demerwater. It got stuck on a wooden bridge where Nieuwe Demer meets Hellebeek. The chapel linked to this legend will open permanently during the Virga Jesse celebrations starting on August 11. Architects Pauline Clarot and Leander Venlet designed a wooden interior for the chapel. The 16th-century statue of Mary is cleaned and put back in its niche.
The artist Amber Andrews will paint the chapel completely. There will be 5 niches with different functions. one for the statue of Mary another with a bench to view the statue and one to connect Z33 and the chapel visually. The design by Pauline Clarot and Leander Venlet is inspired by Renaissance furniture that solves various needs in a space blending modernization with classical architectural principles.
The wooden canvas for the mural will be 10 by 3 meters. Artist Amber Andrews will place the image of Mary among other women with various functions and mythical elements. The mural will include nods to miracles depicted during the Virga Jesse celebrations. The story can be read from left to right and right to left, encouraging people to slow down and observe. Andrews emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to sit and truly see contrasting the fast pace of platforms like Instagram.
Mary’s Neighbors: A Celebration of Service and Care
Artist Amber Andrews describes the women she portrays in the mural as Mary’s neighbors each fulfilling their roles of service and care in unique ways all equally important. By depicting these women alongside Mary Andrews highlights the diverse yet interconnected roles individuals play in serving their community and nurturing those around them. This representation emphasizes the idea of shared responsibilities and the collective efforts of individuals in supporting and caring for one another.
Starting from August 11 the newly renovated Paardsdemerkapel will be open to everyone during Z33’s opening hours, including at night. The chapel will continue to remain open even after the Virga Jesse celebrations. It’s a present from Z33 to the city of Hasselt. The cost of 200,000 euros will be covered by the National Lottery and funds from Z33.
