What’s on in Belgium this week: photography and music in Brussels, an arty night in Ghent, and more. See you there!
Photography: Lee Friedlander at Fondation A Stichting
Until 14 December Brussels
Fondation A Stichting, located on the site of the former Bata factories in Brussels, currently presents “Lee Friedlander, Self and Family“, a fascinating solo exhibition giving you a glimpse into the private life of the renowned photographer. Mainly known for his depiction of America’s social landscape, Friedlander invites you into his personal life, touching upon his extensive series of self-portraits taken throughout the years as well as the recently published “Family in the Picture 1958-2013“, a family album full of intimate, beautiful images interweaving births, weddings, funerals and daily life.
Concert: La Roux at Botanique
Wednesday, 3 December, 20h00 Brussels
English synthpop wonder La Roux released her highly acclaimed second album, “Trouble in Paradise”, earlier this year, five long years after her enormously successful debut which even earned her a Grammy Award. This Wednesday you can experience the redhead live on stage at Brussels’ Botanique and dance to the funky tunes from “Bullet Proof” to “Uptight Downtown”.
Art: Museum Night Ghent
Thursday, 4 December Ghent
As every year Ghent’s museums are inviting you for a long night of exhibition hopping, when they open their doors for the public until midnight, and all for free! A great opportunity to check out the Design Museum’s impressive collection, Berlinde De Bruyckere’s solo expo at SMAK or the great selection of Flemish art at the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring pieces by Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens, James Ensor. By the way, Berlinde De Bruyckere will be at Miry Concertzaal that night to give a talk on her work and especially on her use of textile.
Opening: I can live in a living room at Zwart Wild
Thursday, 4 December, 18h00 Ghent
Founded in 2013, Zwart Wild is an alternative art space located in Ghent, offering both studio and exhibition spaces for artists. Coinciding with the city’s museum night, Zwart Wild invites you to the opening of “I can live in a living room”, a group exhibition bringing together emerging artists from Dominiek Colpaert to Matthias Yzebaert. There’ll also be a performance plus concerts on the Friday.
Art: Antwerp Nocturne
Thursday, 4 December Antwerp
Every six weeks Antwerp’s galleries, museums and art spaces located in the city’s Zuid neighbourhood participate in the so-called Nocturne, hosting collective opening nights allowing art enthusiasts to indulge in a serious gallery marathon. Here are our highlights of this week’s vernissages in Antwerp:
Anton Henning at Tim Van Laere
Anton Henning is a German self-taught figurative painter who also makes sculptures and films, ignoring boundaries between genres and styles. His at times provocative works have been shown all around the world.
Leen Voet at Trampoline Gallery
The multifaceted practice of the Belgian-born, Brussels-based artist ranges from drawings to installations.
Joris Ghekieret at Marion De Cannière
“Black doesn’t like yellow dots” presents a selection of works by the Kortrijk-born artist who’s known for his installations and paintings oscillating between the abstract and the figurative.
Michael Wolf at Fifty One Fine Art
Under the name “Blind walls and night trees – My favourite things”, Michael Wolf, one of Germany’s most renowned photographers, showcases a selection of photographs shot in two radically different cities: Paris and his homebase Hongkong with an eye for beautiful geometric abstractions and graphic compositions.
Concert: Recorders and Broadcast Island at Le Salon Silly
Saturday, 6 December, 20h00 Silly
2 for 1: This Saturday you can catch two Belgian indie rock bands on the rise at Le Salon in the Wallonian town of Silly. Headliners are Brussels-based Recorders who released their fantastic debut album “Above The Tide” this fall, earning applause from fans and critics alike. Their sophisticated soundscapes are as atmospheric as the sceneries in their drop dead gorgeous videos. Supporting them are the guys from Broadcast Island, equally from Brussels, whose fresh indie pop might at times remind you of The Smiths. Check out their latest single “Evelyn McHale” here.
Magazine launch: Girls Like Us at Fontainas
Sunday, 7 December, 16h30-19h30 Brussels
Girls Like Us defines itself as “an independent journal turning the spotlight on an international expanding community of women from all breeds and gender within arts and culture”. The fresh, female and original magazine founded in 2005 is made in Amsterdam, published by Capricious New York and sold in several major cities across the globe. This Sunday its newest edition hits stores in Belgium, which is celebrated with a release party at Brussels’ Fontainas.
Cover photo Margaux Nieto
