A new hybrid cultural center called BRUSK has opened in Bruges, Belgium, designed by Robbrecht en Daem and Olivier Salens. Part of the Musea Brugge network, the venue blends ancient art with contemporary and AI-driven works, featuring two inaugural exhibitions: "Bigger Picture. Connected Worlds of Bruges 900–1550," a historical survey co-curated with historian Peter Frankopan, and "Latent City," the first Belgian solo show of digital artist Refik Anadol. The building offers free ground-floor public spaces, including a café and a permanent mural by Laure Prouvost, aiming to attract both tourists and locals.
BRUSK matters because it redefines the traditional museum model as a flexible, multidisciplinary platform that bridges historical heritage and cutting-edge technology. By integrating free public areas and a program that ranges from medieval artifacts to AI-generated art, it addresses the challenge of mass tourism and museum fatigue, positioning Bruges as a global cultural hub. The project also highlights the growing trend of museums adopting hybrid identities to remain relevant and accessible in the 21st century.