« MAUVAISES VIES ? » : When uninhibited eroticism comes to LaVallée for the Brussels Pride

At LaVallée, we never do things halfway. To kick off Pride week in Brussels, the cultural centre is hosting an exhibition titled ‘MAUVAISES VIES?’ by Marc Martin, photographer and shaker of standards, from the 9th to the 23rd of May 2025. The exhibition is free, but not without ideas: here, intimacy is revealed, eroticism is unfiltered, and diversity is celebrated with performances, debates, clubbing and safe places. In short, a programme as rich as the colour palette of a rainbow flag.

When intimacy becomes political (and a little spicy)

At a time when society oscillates between open-mindedness and prudish tension, Marc Martin is taking the bold step. His exhibition opens up to an uninhibited eroticism, far from the beaten track of heteronormativity. Here, bodies express themselves, sexualities are told, and intimacy becomes a political playground. Because yes, even in the age of oversharing, art that speaks of intimacy continues to make people “cringe”. The question is no longer whether we are “normal” or “abnormal”: the norm is to laugh about it, and above all, to free ourselves from it.

Safe place, sweet place

The exhibition’s scenography is based on the notion of ‘Safe Places’. There’s no question of visitors being left alone to face stares or hasty judgements: here, the most vulnerable are protected, otherness is celebrated, and our differences are transformed into a collective strength. The aim? To encourage everyone to broaden their understanding of the challenges of emancipation and the fight against stigmatisation. And if we can break down a few mental barriers in the process, we’re not going to miss out.

A cocktail of events to suit every taste

On the menu: never-before-seen photographs, immersive installations, performances, debates, clubbing, a drag show and even DJ sets to keep LaVallée buzzing late into the night. With Benjamin as performer (@Personne_Public), Maurizio @DJAthome (Kiosk.radio) and a host of artists, the exhibition promises to shake things up… and our bodies too.

In a nutshell:

“Turning otherness into strength and diversity into richness. Unite in our differences through our differences“.

At LaVallée, the exhibition ‘MAUVAES VIES ?’ proves that all lives are equal – and that bad tongues are asked to stay at the door. So, are you ready to shake up your certainties and celebrate Pride as it should be?