Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, the Belgian design studio founded by Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, has created "CLAUSURA," a life-size steel sculpture tracing the footprint of the vanished 16th-century Gothic church at Herkenrode Abbey in Hasselt, Belgium. The ethereal framework of slender steel rods rises from the original site, offering a transparent, abstract reconstruction that evokes the abbey's lost architecture through suggestion rather than literal rebuilding. The first phase opens to the public on June 18 as part of a broader restoration led by Herita.
This work matters because it demonstrates how contemporary art can engage with historical memory and cultural heritage in a sensitive, non-reconstructive way. Rather than attempting to replicate the past, "CLAUSURA" uses abstraction and transparency to create a dialogue between the vanished church and the present landscape, offering visitors a space for reflection. It also highlights the ongoing regeneration of Herkenrode Abbey, one of Belgium's most significant cultural sites, and underscores the role of artistic interventions in heritage preservation.