BRAFA ART Talks

Dominique and Sylvain Lévy have been collectors for more than forty years. In 2005, they founded the DSLcollection, which is now recognised as one of the most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art in the world. From the outset, they chose to conceive of their collection differently – not as an accumulation, but as a space of transmission, open to technology and devoted to sharing. Their ‘phygital’ approach combines the physical lending of works with the exploration of digital tools. The DSLcollection is a pioneer in this field, having embraced digital innovation since 2006: it launched its first virtual museum in 2012 and currently develops immersive and interactive artistic experiences across the globe. It is this unique journey of a phygital collection - and the reflections it inspires on the role of the modern collector – that they wish to share.

How to make an exhibition about an animal that does not exist? The unicorn is magical. No one has ever seen one alive, and yet everyone has a certain idea of what they look like. This is based on the countless paintings, drawings, tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, and sculptures that artists have created of this mystical animal since the Middle Ages. The Barberini Museum in Potsdam and the Musée de Cluny with the Grand Palais RMN in Paris have organised the exhibition Unicorn: The Mythical Beast in Art, featuring over 140 loans from international museums. The lecture explains how to organise an exhibition on such a “magical” topic, how to select the loans, how to obtain them and what new insights can be gained from this work.

Born in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) sets itself the mission of protecting Belgium’s cultural heritage. As early as 1948, it trained the members of the Civil Protection, drew up lists of priority works to safeguard, and advised on the construction of atomic shelters. This expertise is now more relevant than ever: in 2021, floods damaged more than 250 cultural sites in Belgium, a stark reminder of heritage’s vulnerability to disasters. Today, KIK-IRPA is reviving this knowledge through its Sustainability Unit, combining scientific research with concrete action to help cultural institutions, churches, and private collections prepare for the challenges of the future.

In this Art Talk, Michiel Vervloet will highlight the various aspects of risk management that different market players in the art and antiques world must implement in order to comply with applicable anti-money laundering legislation. Drawing on his extensive practical experience, he will use concrete examples to guide participants through the roll-out of their risk-based policies to ensure that the art sector cannot be misused for money laundering and/or terrorist financing.

As the King Baudouin Foundation marks its 50th anniversary, this panel explores how a half-century of philanthropic engagement has shaped the cultural and heritage landscape - and how these lessons can guide us in the future. With contributions from the King Baudouin Foundation’s leadership, a donor, and a grantee, we will reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead: how philanthropy sustains heritage, how cultural initiatives transform lives, and how looking back enables us to go further.

Selling art and antiques is a long-standing profession, dating back at least to the early modern period. However, new market forces and competitors, online sales, and shifts in taste and lifestyle are requiring dealers to rethink their profession, adapt their practices, and renew certain long-standing business strategies. How are they addressing these challenges? And what key role do art and antiques dealers still play in today’s cultural ecosystem?

The art market is being reshaped by new generations of collectors. Their approach challenges established codes, embracing values such as sustainability, diversity, and digital innovation. Even the notion of ownership is evolving: possessing a work no longer follows the same logic as in the past and now comes with new expectations. Collecting is no longer confined to traditional formats but extends to new media, immersive experiences, and socially engaged art. It has become a way to express identity, values, and to engage in dialogue with the world.

In this exclusive keynote speech, Professor Maus, the author of the book Kunst en Fiscus will provide insight into the complex world of art and taxation. What fiscal considerations should artists, gallery owners, and art collectors take into account when trading or acquiring art? The keynote speech will not only focus on income tax and VAT, but also on inheritance tax and registration duties.