Some of the Christmas-decorations I have enjoyed seeing daily going from home (Mechelen) to work (Antwerp)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Time
Some of the Christmas-decorations I have enjoyed seeing daily going from home (Mechelen) to work (Antwerp)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sigur Rós (Forest National, Brussels, 16-11-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Sigur Rós are simply divine. The music and especially the vocals can be so fragile they literally move you to tears. Other times the music is like a thundering waterfall almost drowning you and everything around you.
And sometimes the music is so happy it'll make you laugh through your tears.
It was nice to see Sigur Rós this time without all the extras: no violins, no big bands just the band. It sounds cleaner but no less brilliant!
Brussels Biennial (12-11-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Well, there are probably loads of new and exciting things going on in Brussels but this time I'm referring to the Brussels Biennial.
On two major and some smaller locations museums, galleries and other institutions are showing us some of their artists and their art.
It's not as exciting or organised as the Documenta in Kassel but maybe someday it will be. The locations are brilliant already and some of the works are too.
It's well worth checking out if you are interested in post-modern art. More info on their site: http://www.brusselsbiennial.be/
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Habeus Corpus (Botanique, Brussel, 12-11-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Another brilliant exhibit in the Botanique! This is definitely one of the best exhibits I've seen this year!
All the works are obviously about the human body and they are all beautiful, thrilling, exciting, interesting or funny.
So check out the exhibit! It runs un till 30-11-2008 and it's only 4 euros. More info: Botanique
There is also a free exhibit in the gallery which is very nice so check that out too ;-)
House of Folklore&Traditions (Brussels, 9-11-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
At the moment there is an exhibit about amber-jewellery and textiles from Latvia. The objects are all extremely visually pleasing!
You can still see this exhibit un till 30-11-2008.
More info: http://www.brupass.be/ (French & Dutch)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thinking the World (La Centrale Electrique, Brussel, 9-11-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Another interesting exhibit in La Centrale Electrique! 12 French artists exhibit their works and they are all good and some are even great!
The works don't look very "French" because they are about the world and the artists vision on (part) of our world.
Exhibit un till 11-1-2009 so loads of time to check it out!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ecohouse Spider Exhibit (antwerp, 25-10-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
If you are interested in spiders or if you want to learn more about them you should definitely visit the spider exhibit in the Ecohouse in Antwerp.
It's a really great exhibit with loads of pictures, information and fun facts about the spiders in our neighbourhood.
The exhibit is free. More info (dutch!) here. Exhibit un till 30-11-2008.
Abbey Museum (Koksijde, 19-10-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Another great place to visit on the Belgian coast is the abbey Museum "Ten Duinen 1138" in Koksijde. As the name suggest this museum is about the old abbey that used to be where the museum is situated. Sadly the abbey is just ruins now (see pic).
But inside the museum you can learn all about this abbey and other abbeys too. It all looks great and there is information in four languages!
More info: http://www.tenduinen.be/
Amazing Acts (exhibit about the circus past, Oostende, 19-10-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
If you are planning to go to the Belgian coast consider to visit this fun exhibit with loads of really cool pictures of old circus acts. There are some old and more recent movies too. And you can learn all about the really amazing acts that made the circus such a great place.
It's not very expensive and Oostende is a fun place to visit anyway!
More info (dutch!). Exhibit un till November 16th.
For cool circus act pictures: click here.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Eire 2008: Ardgillan Castle & Skerries
Monday: to the Irish sea where there are great views, places and people!
Visit Skerries Mills visitor centre for a great tour of the mills and great sandwiches (flower for the bread is from the mills! yummmm!)!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Eire 2008: Hill of Slane & Mellifont Abbey
Sunday: great ruins! http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/slane/index.html (loads of info on the other sites too!)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Museum of Playing Cards (Turnhout, 19-9-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
The museum is in an old playing card factory so they have loads of really cool machines including one that works on steam power. Very impressive stuff!
There's a lot of fun information about playing cards and their history but mind: it's all Dutch!
There is a room for special exhibits and the current one is about Tarock/Tarot. There are some very fine sets to be seen in this exhibit! And you get to learn about the history of Tarot cards which is quite interesting.
You can visit this exhibit un till 30-11-2008.
More info: http://www.turnhout.be/speelkaartmuseum/
There's a nice shop in the museum too where you can buy all kinds of sets of playing cards. You can get a special entrance fee which includes a set of cards and a visit to the museum!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Summer Festivals II
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
11-7-2008: Guldenontsporing, Brussels
A very special concert for this regional holiday: Dez Mona, one of our favourite Belgian bands, played a concert with Go_tell (a gospel choir) in the parliament of Brussels. Wow³!
I hope they do something like this again next year!
2-8-2008: Lokerse Feesten
A night of Punk!
- Buzzcocks (UK)
Their music sounds a lot cooler than they look! Ah well, Punks get older too but they still rock ;-)
- The New York Dolls (USA)
Great to finally see this very influential band. Something between Blues/Rock and Punk. The lead singer still looks cool btw ;-)
- Sex Pistols (UK, well originally anyway)
ANARCHY!!!! Punk as a commercial and sell-able product but we don't care ;-)
Very enjoyable!
14-8-2008: Pukkelpop
So much to see, so little time!
We heard some and hardly saw: Amy Macdonald, Soko, The Tings Tings
Nice Enough: Serj Tankian, Ian Brown
Great stuff:
- Little Dragon (check video)
- Circ Isnietsch (a cool theatre-circus act, check site)
- Tricky (So cool! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricky)
- Roisin Murphy (Always great)
- The Killers (So many terrific songs!)
Brilliant:
Editors (Just go and see a concert you'll see what I mean)
Mercury Rev (Finally!)
23-8-2008: Maanrock, Mechelen
The Tellers: a terrific Belgian band. Check http://www.thetellers.be/
Dead Souls: former Joy Division coverband, great songs of their own now!
The Germans: Belgian band, I was very impressed! Check http://www.thegermans.be/
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Summer Festivals I
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
27-6: Dijlefeesten, Mechelen
- The Rudy Trouvé Septet: Belgian music at it's best
- Think of One: great world music from Antwerp
29-6: Ottertrotter, Mechelen
A great free multi-cultural festival with great mojito's, mouth watering food and hot Flamenco ;-)
6-7: RockWerchter
- Devotchka: Terrific! Brilliant! Just listen: http://devotchka.net/
- Tim Vanhamel: some great Belgian songs
- Hercules & Love Affair: interesting disco tunes
- The Kooks: nice
- The Raconteurs: great! pity we can only see part :-(
- Grinderman: Woohoo! Love Nick Cave and his new band!
- Justice: French dance fun
- Beck: weird guy with brilliant songs (or vice versa...)
- Deus: still great ;-)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Oriental Fascination (Brussels, 7-9-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
There are some terrific works of art here so it's highly recommended to have a look. The exhibit is in the City Hall of Brussels so it's easy to find!
Exhibit un till 28-9. More info: http://www.brupass.be/
You can visit this exhibit and "Fables" (see review) for 7 euro!
Fables-Karen Knorr (Brussels,7-9-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
I love the strange and poetic world of Karen Knorr (http://www.karenknorr.com/). It's full of animals in strange places and perfect compositions. She has a nice way of seeing the world and I hope she'll make lots of other projects!
Exhibit un till 28-9. More info: http://www.brupass.be/
You can visit this exhibit and "Oriental Fascination" (see review) for 7 Euro.
The British Royal Collection (KMSKB, Brussels, 7-9-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Ok you can see works together that have never been together since probably the time they were painted but I think you have to be an art-historian specialized in the period to actually enjoy that.
So if you aren't just don't pay the extra money for this exhibit and see the normal collections. They are interesting enough!
Exhibit un till 21-9. More info: http://www.fine-arts-museum.be/
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Jens Berre-Caermerklooster (Gent, 31-08-08)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
If you are interested in anthropology and you are in or near Gent this weekend you should definitely visit the exhibit with pictures and short movies from Jens Berre.
This Danish explorer has made some really exciting trips to the San (Bushmen), the Wailbree Aboriginals and the cannibals of Papua New Guinea in the early fifties. His pictures show practices and peoples that now have all but disappeared.
Very exciting and free! Exhibit ends september 14th.
BELvue Museum / Coudenberg (Brussels, 24-08-08)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
A definite must for every-one who wants to know more about Belgium and see a cool archaeological site as well!
The BELvue Museum is located on the "Coudenberg" in Brussels in an 18th century hotel. The location is very beautiful and luxurious. The rooms show all kinds of interesting facts, pictures, posters, objects, etc. of Belgium history. You can learn and see a lot here!
Underneath the hotel are the remains of the former "Palace of Brussels" which was originally built in the 11th century. This is where Emperor Charles V used to live when he was in Brussels so lots of exciting historical facts took place here!
In 1731 a huge fire destroyed the palace and the ruins where finally taken down in 1775. But underneath the street level you can still see some of the rooms.
They aren't decorated but it's a fascinating walk none the less (see pic).
You can visit both museums from tuesday to friday for only 5 euros! More information: http://www.belvue.be/ or http://www.coudenberg.com/ (a cool site with music!).
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Fotomuseum: Guy Bourdin
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Guy Bourdin was the fashion photographer of Vogue Magazine and he made some really funny, weird, intriguing pictures. He has had a lot of influence on current fashion photography so check him out! http://www.guybourdin.org/
There is also an exhibit about sports photography which is well worth a watch.
Check: http://www.fotomuseum.be/
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Castle Gaasbeek (27-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
A great castle with great exhibits! We have visited once before but we did get to see different parts of the castle this time. A visit is very much recommended!
The exhibit has ended but you can still check out the paintings Johan Clarysse: http://www.johanclarysse.be/ (also in English!).
More info on the castle: http://www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be/ (Dutch, French, English and German).
Anno Expo (Mechelen, 20-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Fifty years ago Brussels was the scene of a World Fair and this is celebrated throughout Belgium this year. The 1958 World Fair (Expo '58) gave us the best attraction ever to see the face of the earth: the Atomium (more info).
There is a special exhibit here which we will probably visit soon but there is also a nice exhibit in Mechelen.
The Anno Expo exhibit is a nice way to discover the architecture of the World Fair and the Fifties. If you are interested in either of those this is a great exhibit to visit ;-)
You can visit un till 14-9-2008. More info: http://www.anno-expo.eu/
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wiels - Mike Kelley (Brussels, 13-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
It's easy to reach on foot from Brussels South station so check it out some time.
The last time we visited Wiels it was for a retrospective of Mike Kelley which has ended by now.
Mike Kelley is an American artist who makes pictures, movies and installations. Most of his works are about memories but they aren't nice ones!
Looking at his work I'm sure he didn't have a very nice childhood and he definitely hated high-school. But it does make interesting art ;-)
Check his site: http://www.mikekelley.com/
Saturday, August 23, 2008
It's not only Rock'n'Roll, baby! (Bozar, Brussels, 11-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Cool exhibit about musicians who also make art.
Includes works from David Byrne, Patti Smith, Brian Eno, Pete Doherty (see pic), Yoko Ono, The Kills, etc.
You can also watch several video-clips!
Exhibit un till 14-9-2008. More info: http://www.bozar.be/
Mapas Abiertos (Bozar, Brussels, 11-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Exhibit un till 21-9-2008.
More info: http://www.bozar.be/
Sioux in Paradise- Johan Muyle (Bozar, Brussels, 11-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Impressive free exhibit of this Belgian artist. His sculptures are terrific!!
They are weird, freaky, surreal, funny and they move!
Check it out: http://www.johanmuyle.com/
Exhibit in the Bozar un till 21-9-2008. More info on site Bozar: http://www.bozar.be/
SMAK-Guillaume Bijl (Gent, 5-7-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Guillaume Bijl is a Belgian artist who makes weird, un-real installations of modern live. He shows us our modern day and age posing as fake museums and fairs.
I think his work is really exciting because it is so surreal. There is no craftsmanship in his art and not even real beauty. His work is scary like an empty supermarket where the music is still playing and the lights are still on but where there is no-one to be seen or heard.
If you have a chance to see one of his installations I thoroughly recommend the experience ;-)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Museums in Anderlecht (Brussels, 28-6-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
The first one is situated in the beguinage which is rather cute and small. The museum shows all kinds of objects related to Anderlecht and the beguinage. It's rather quaint so I totally love it ;-)
The second museum is the house of Erasmus (see pic). This Dutch Humanist lived here for a while, very much enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
In this museum there are special exhibits, objects Erasmus used to own and of course books from Erasmus.
Check out the site: http://www.erasmushouse.museum/
You can visit both museums on the same ticket (and it's very cheap!).
You can easily reach Anderlecht by taking a metro from Brussels Central Station.
See pics here.
Botanique-museum (Brussels, 11-6-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Not just concerts here but also a restaurant, a park, a gallery and a museum! Check out the exhibits in the museum here.
Exhibits in the gallery are free, the museum is around 4 euro's. You can buy a ticket for a concert+the museum too!
Argos-Centre for Art&Media (Brussels, 11-6-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
A cool art-centre in Brussels with really interesting exhibits. Check out the site (English): http://www.argosarts.org/index.do
Don't forget to take a look at the really cool loo's =>
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Asian food in Paris (may 2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Also take-away.
See a French review here.
Shenaz: a nice Indian restaurant between metro-stations Pigalle and Abbesses. Great decorations and lovely food! More info here.
Le Thai: obviously a Thai restaurant. Great food! Check it out! Same street as Shenaz (rue Houdon).
Le Jumbo de Paris: Chinese restaurant near the Gare du Nord with a funny name. Decent chinese food!
La Pinacothèque de Paris (Paris, 19-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
A place for exhibits behind the Madeleine-church. Exhibits are not cheap but pretty special. We saw an exhibit on Chinese ceramic-warriors (still running un till sept. 14) and one on Man Ray.
I love Chinese ceramic warriors (see picture) so seeing them live is always pretty cool. There were some pretty special ones in this exhibit. It's not a very large exhibit but it's diverse enough and the information is ok. Check the site: http://www.pinacotheque.com/
I love Man Ray's work (check this site: http://www.manraytrust.com/) so it was exciting that there was an exhibit on his work here too. Not a very big exhibit either but many nice works and I learned a lot about his life.
Eglise de la Madeleine (Paris, 19-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Interesting neo-classical Roman temple built for the glory of Napoleon's "great army" which became a church later. Pretty dark interior.
The site of the church: http://www.eglise-lamadeleine.com/
More information in Wikipedia. Especially note the famous funerals held here!
Cinémathèque Française - Georges Méliès (Paris, 18-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
There is a permanent exhibit on the history of films with some truly great examples from the early days.
We were there for the special Georges Méliès (1861-1938) exhibit which was really magical!
You may not know this pioneer but maybe you remember the video for the Smashing Pumpkins song "Tonight, tonight" which was based on one of his best known movies ("Voyage dans la Lune" from 1902).
Sadly not many of his movies survived (he destroyed a lot of them himself) but the ones that did are all fantastic. His special effects are pretty special for the early 1900's.
This exhibit re-opens on the 27th of August so you've still got time to go and see! You can also buy some of Méliès' work on dvd ;-)
The site: http://www.cinematheque.fr/fr/la-cinematheque-francaise.html
(also English information!)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Musée National du Moyen-Age (Paris, 18-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Much of he building is still in it's original medieval state.
Around the museum is a "medieval" garden which is used by passers-by as a place for a quiet lunch.
During the slower, less touristic period this museum is free so it's a good idea to visit it in april/may.
The museum is filled with medieval treasures. The most famous artworks are the 15th century tapestries called "La Dame à la Licorne" which celebrates the senses. It's definitely worth a look! (see pic, this one is called "A mon seul Désir").
All information (also in English and Spanish!): http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/
Cimetière de Montmartre (Paris, 18-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Read more: here
See pics in Paris!-album.
Musée de la Vie Romantique (Paris, 17-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
This museum about the Romantic period is small but beautiful. There is a magnificent garden with roses and a tea-pavilion (see picture). It's all very very Romantic so the setting is perfect.
Because it was free this night it was rather busy but you could still see everything quite well.
Read more about the museum and it's exhibits: here
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Louvre (Paris, 17-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
And one of the main reasons to go to Paris was the fact that Jan Fabre was exhibiting in the Louvre so it really is time for my first visit ;-)
As most of you will know the Louvre is very big and has a vast collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities. It's easy to get lost here so it's nice there are free plans in all languages. These plans are also handy to pick out what you want to see because, frankly, I do not care much for Greek and Roman sculpture.
The Fabre exhibit was in the part with the paintings from the Netherlands and Belgium (it has ended a few days ago btw). We both love his works and it was great to see the interaction with the rooms and the old paintings!
After seeing this exhibit and the rest of the wing with paintings from France it was time for a drink. Luckily you can get food and drinks in this museum!
There was another temporary exhibit here that we wanted to see called "Babylon" (it has ended too a few days ago). It was a nice exhibit about the real Babylon and the more imaginary, biblical Babylon as seen in art and literature. There were some beautiful works of art there, a lot of which you can still see in the permanent collection.
So what else did we see?
- the Napoleon III rooms: Wow! Ornaments and colours everywhere!
- Medieval art objects: lovely stuff, great to see some things I know from books
- loads of Italian and French paintings on our way to see the Mona Lisa
- arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas
And several other paintings, sculptures etc just walking around searching for a way in or out of exhibits ;-)
Next time I want to see the Egyptian part!
All info here
Centre Pompidou (Paris, 16-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
The building itself is very special and rather chaotic on the inside. Temporary exhibits and restaurant are at the top floor where there is a great view of the city.
We had an especially great view as there were some thunderstorms hanging over parts of Paris ;-)
The permanent collection and the temporary exhibits are open late every day so it's perfect to visit the Centre after all the other museums have closed. There is also a library and a movie-theatre here so fun for every-one!
See their site: http://www.centrepompidou.fr/
We visited the Louise Bourgeois exhibit (it ended june the 2nd), the "Traces du Sacré"-exhibit (still running un till august 11th!) and the permanent collection.
I am a great fan of Louise Bourgeois because I really love her images. And the fact that she is still making art a the age of 97 makes her a role model for all of us!
"Traces du Sacré" is a brilliant exhibit about the "spiritual" in art. In the exhibit there is art about the divine, the apocalypse, paganism, sexualism, futurism, nostalgia, the absolute and much much more.
I can guarantee that you will leave this exhibit a changed person (especially if you've gone through "the Doors of Perception")!
The permanent collection is always interesting to watch as the are some great works in it by all the well-known 20th century artists. They've recently re-arranged all the rooms so it was even new for us now even-though we've already seen the permanent collection several times.
Petit Palais (Paris, 16-5-2008)
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
This museum has a fine arts collection of 19th and 20th century art but there are also temporary exhibits. The building itself is well worth a visit too!
The palais was built for the 1900 World Fair and re-opened in 2005 after large-scale renovations. The inside ànd outside are full of ornaments, paintings, gold, exotic plants, etc. etc.
We were here for a Goya exhibit (which was terrific by the way) and we didn't see the permanent collection. The Goya exhibit has ended by now but I'm sure there will be new exhibits!
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