Meet the MoMu Team

There’s much more to an exhibition than meets the eye. Four MoMu staff members share what their behind-the-scenes roles involve.

MARIE VANDECASTEELE: "I work closely with scenographers, curators, and installation teams to make sure exhibitions are delivered on time. My role includes turning design concepts into physical installations, and coordinating the transport and placement of artworks. Throughout, I keep a close eye on the approved plan and budget. We place great value on sustainability and are committed to making the entire process as environmentally friendly as possible. I think about ways to minimise waste during the construction of the scenography and explore which materials can be reused after the exhibition ends. There’s something special about the moment when the scenography is complete but the objects haven’t yet arrived. Everything is neatly in place, just waiting for what’s to come. The enthusiasm of everyone involved means that, even on the most intense days, it still feels like a true team effort."

JULIETTE DE WAAL: "I support the MoMu curators in preparing exhibitions and coordinate all incoming loans. For each show, we borrow garments, objects, and artworks from fashion houses and designers, private collectors, galleries, and museums. I organise the transport and oversee how everything is arranged in the exhibition space. My favourite moment is when it all finally comes together after months of preparation. There’s still something magical about unpacking and installing objects I’ve only seen in photos. It’s also the time when I meet colleagues from other institutions face to face – usually we’ve only been in touch by email until then. I love being involved in the whole process, from the first concept to the final installation. Working with such beautiful and inspiring objects, and learning something new each time, is incredibly fulfilling."

BIRGIT ANSOMS: "As a librarian, I’m involved in exhibitions right from the very start. A lot of research happens before the curators settle on a final exhibition concept, and I support them in their search for relevant literature and visual material. Sometimes it’s quite a quest to track down the right pieces, but it’s incredibly rewarding when part of our rich library collection ends up in the exhibition. I also handle the contact with photographers whose work we include in the catalogues. They’re always delighted to have their photos featured in our publications. There’s always a bit of a buzz here when we get permission to use an image as a campaign visual – it suddenly makes the upcoming exhibition feel very real, and it gets everyone even more excited about what’s to come. And there’s always a real sense of anticipation in the run-up to the day the pallet of freshly printed catalogues arrives – it’s a brilliant moment."

BELGIZ POLAT: "All the contemporary looks you see in the exhibitions have passed through my hands. Together with my colleague Frédéric Boutié, I check their condition and dress them on mannequins. We always try to shape mannequins in a way that really brings out the full beauty of each silhouette. To do this, we often search for reference images online or in the MoMu Library. Some pieces can be quite a challenge. Mannequins are always placed at the very end of the exhibition build – once the scenography is fully complete, we put them in position. I’m only happy once every look is perfectly presented, knowing that thousands of people will eventually come to see them. Working with the garments is exciting, but sometimes the setup period is so hectic that I’ve actually turned up to work wearing two different shoes!"

Curious after reading this magazine article? Be sure to visit one of our exhibitions or drop by the library.