General Info
Our collection already includes more than 50 permanent artworks and this year we will add ten new murals (the highest is 40 meters!), two gigantic sculptures, a series of smaller interventions, three school projects and an artist in residence that will use the city as her playground (our rebellious Wasted Rita takes on that role!). Join us Saturday April 13th at Monacoplein, where we will present the new works to the public!
Next to that we will organize a debate / artist talks at Kaap. This side event will be hosted by internationally acclaimed art magazine Juxtapoz and can also be followed live on Facebook and Instagram. More info click here!
To top things off, there will also be an official opening party on Saturday evening 13 April in collaboration with Instant Karma. The musical line-up consists of: The Glücks, La Jungle, Material Girls and a DJ set by Thibault (Equal Idiots) and Stijn Vandevoorde (StuBru). More info click here!
Case Maclaim (DE) - Crystal Wagner (USA) - David Walker (UK) - Escif (ES) - Helen Bur (UK) - Jaune (BE) - Leon Keer (NL) - Lonac (HR) - Marina Capdevila (ES) - Miss Van (FR) - Mohamed l’Ghacham (ES) - Paola Delfin (MX) - Tom Herck (BE) - Wasted Rita (PT)
Theme
The Dictatorship of Art, the theme of the fourth edition of The Crystal Ship arts festival, is in fact not meant as a provocative statement. It is, quite simply, manifest. For let us be honest: we have already tried everything else – popes to presidents, communism to capitalism, aristocracy to mediacracy – and the world is still on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
And that is why The Crystal Ship is – emphatically, because only then we can make a difference – aligning with the German artist Jonathan Meese, who states that Art is by far the most radical thing you can do with your life. Forget politics, forget religion, forget ‘purchasing power’ or other truisms. Only Art has the power to truly change the world. Only Art will let you bring something meaningful to the table.
Choose Art. Choose The Dictatorship of Art.
So stop what you are doing. Now! Right away! Drop everything, muster all your passion and creativity, fire up all your lust and enthusiasm, and go nuts. Not half-heartedly, not just a bit, but completely nuts.
Visit us
The Crystal Ship is easily accessible by public transport, car and / or bicycle. The starting point is at Tourism Ostend, where you can request a free cycling and walking map that will guide you through the open-air exhibition.
All artworks remain permanently in the public domain and can be visited freely.
By car
When entering Ostend (via E40/A10) follow the direction Centrum (second exit at the roundabout). Drive right ahead up to Vuurkruisenplein and take the third exit there. Go straight on at the traffic lights, the Tourist Information Center is at the end of that road and right across the casino. There is a car parking under the casino.
By train
There are many direct trains to Ostend daily, departing from Brussels , Antwerp, Ghent and Hasselt. Information and timetables are available on nmbs.be.
By bus or tram
Every 10 minutes, there is a bus/tram to and from the Marie-Joséplein, which is at 50 meters from Monacoplein. Tickets and information via www.delijn.be.
By bike
You can rent a bicycle at the station and from various outlets in the center. More information at Blue-Bike.