The Horta Museum in Saint-Gilles is set to launch a new exhibition titled 'Art Nouveau versus Art Deco? 1850-1950: A Century in 32 Chairs,' running from June 25 to January 11, 2027. The showcase utilizes 32 chairs designed by prominent architects and designers alongside archival documents to trace the stylistic and ideological evolution of Western design. A unique collaborative element features students from La Cambre, who will present chair designs in Victor Horta’s workshop for a public vote.
By focusing on the chair as a primary vessel for architectural and design theory, the exhibition seeks to bridge the historical gap between Art Nouveau and Art Deco. It moves beyond simple aesthetics to examine how manufacturing processes, extra-European influences, and the concept of 'constructive sincerity' shaped a century of creative output. This scholarly yet accessible approach highlights the Horta Museum's role in contextualizing Belgium's rich design heritage within a broader international framework.