LABIOMISTA, Arts centre and studio in Zwartberg, Belgium
LABIOMISTA is an arts center and studio spread across 24 hectares that combines art installations, animal enclosures, three ponds, and walking paths through natural landscapes and exhibition spaces. The site blends open parkland with curated display areas where visitors move freely between outdoor nature and indoor contemporary art.
The site was originally a public zoo and later a coal mining area until artist Koen Vanmechelen established his studio and foundation headquarters there in 2017. This transformation redirected the space toward artistic and scientific research instead of its previous commercial uses.
The center functions as an open platform where art, science, and community engagement come together through exhibitions and collaborative research projects that visitors can explore and witness.
The grounds are expansive and offer multiple routes to explore, with guided tours providing the best way to understand the highlights across the site. Comfortable footwear and extra time for walking are important for experiencing the different areas thoroughly.
The site houses specially designed structures by architect Mario Botta, including The Battery as a studio space, The Ark for exhibitions, and The Looking Glass as a specialized conservatory. These architectural features create distinctive visitor experiences throughout the grounds.
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