In this second curatorial project in our new temporary exhibition space in Brussels, we are thrilled to present an exciting duo show featuring two remarkable German artists, FRANZISKA REINBOTHE based in Pretzsch near Leipzig, and TOM FRÜCHTL from Berlin. In CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, the works of the artists come together in a dynamic dialogue—approaching, confronting, and intertwining with one another. This exhibition creates an intimate space where two distinct artistic practices engage in conversation, inviting the viewer to join this encounter. Marking their first exhibition in Brussels, Close Encounters draws inspiration from its title’s cinematic roots in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Much like the film’s exploration of contact and communication across unknown dimensions, this exhibition investigates the interaction between two artistic worlds. Reinbothe and Früchtl challenge the conventional boundaries of painting, each in their own way highlights the reverse side of the canvas, the dark side of the painting. Franziska Reinbothe’s work deconstructs and reassembles the canvas, unveiling its hidden structures and transforming its materiality. Meanwhile, Tom Früchtl reimagines the surface and physicality of painting, meticulously reconstructing forms to expose new visual possibilities. Together, their works resonate, creating subtle correspondences, contrasts, and unexpected connections. Through this interplay, Closer Encounters invites visitors to reflect on proximity and discovery—both between the artworks and within their own gaze. The result is a thoughtful exploration of what emerges in the space between visual worlds: a rich dialogue of shared tensions, affinities, and the magic of encounter.