Things to do in Belgium this week: design in Hasselt, an art sale in Antwerp, an exhibition in Ghent, music in Leuven, and more. See you there!
Design: Konstantin Grcic at Z33
Until 24 May Hasselt
Hasselt’s Z33 teamed up with Vitra Design Museum to bring you “Panorama”, the largest solo exhibition ever made exploring the work of German design star Konstantin Grcic. The highly influential designer from Munich is the creative mind behind classic such as the Mayday lamp (1999) and is known for combining industrial aesthetics with artistic, experimental and playful elements. Besides showcasing the results of Grcic’s daily work, the expo also makes room for a number of large-scale installations revealing the designer’s personal visions about the way we’ll live in the future. A must-see, not only for fans of contemporary design!
Art shopping: RUIS concept store
From 16 April to 12 June Antwerp
We just interviewed photographer Miles Fischler about newly founded Antwerp art collective RUIS and their first group exhibition, and now the busy bees are already on to new adventures: This week the RUIS concept store opens its doors, an initiative that’s part of the “Pop up to date” project aiming at reviving the city’s Berchem neighbourhood. The shop features a selection of the collective’s artworks in the form of posters, postcards, notebooks, photo books and more.
Fashion: Stock sale at Maison Margiela
From 18 to 25 April, 12-18h00 Brussels
Maison Margiela is undoubtedly one of Belgium’s most celebrated fashion houses, currently under the reigns of enfant terrible John Galliano, who became creative director last year. The store in a Brussels corner house in the Dansaert area was the first one to open in Europe back in 2002 and carries all Margiela lines. Now you can get your hands on accessories, clothes, jewellery and shoes from previous seasons at reduced prices during their stock sale. Don’t forget to ring the doorbell!
Happening & exhibition: Gaston Meskens at These Things Take Time
Thursday, 16 April Ghent
Since 9 April one of Ghent’s best independent art spaces, These Things Take Time, presents “The Consolatory Practice of Leaving”, an exhibition showcasing the work of Gaston Meskens. This Thursday, a few days before the closing of the expo on 19 April, the artist invites you to a mysterious happening under the title “Melancholies of Modernity”, including a screening of “A Journey into the Land of the 4th Dimension” and more. “Melancholy is practicing the aesthetics of imperfection, decadence and uncertainty, although with a constant awareness of – and care for – the possible of human possibilities”, writes Maskens.
Night out: God Save The Swing at Flamingo
Friday, 17 April, 21h00 Brussels
Swing is having a bit of a revival these days, and the recurrent swing nights at Flamingo are proof for that. For a while now the sextet God Save The Swing regularly makes a joyful crowd move to Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jitterbug and more, taking you back down memory lane. This Friday you’ll have the occasion once more to put on your dancing shoes!
Gallery re-opening: Marcin Dudek at Harlan Levey Projects
Saturday, 18 April, 18-21h00
Brussels’ Harlan Levey Projects are just back from the Dallas art fair, and now they’re already inaugurating their new home in Ixelles. The first show after their move presents a selection of works by Polish-born, Belgium-based artist Marcin Dudek. In “Saved by an Unseen Crack”, he takes the Heysel tragedy in 1985 as a starting point and blends autobiographical experiences with his interest in the architecture of spectacle. The artist will be present at the opening and invites you to a performance at 19h00.
Music I: Record Store Day at Coffee & Vinyl
Saturday, 18 April, 10-18h00 Antwerp
This weekend it’s all about Record Store Day in the music world, and numerous special events are popping up all over Belgium for the occasion. One that’s definitely worth checking out is taking place at one of Antwerp’s best music stores, Coffee & Vinyl, which offers a perfect blend for music and coffee lovers alike. You can get your hands on special limited vinyl releases and discover a photo exhibition by Marcel Vanthilt. Plus, there’ll be concerts all day long, featuring Belgian bands such as Marble Sounds or Tiny Legs Tim.
Music II: 35 years Radio Scorpio
Saturday, 18 April, 13h00 Leuven
On Record Store Day Leuven-based Radio Scorpio, founded back in 1979, also celebrates its 35th anniversary with quite a big birthday bash. The independent radio station is Belgium’s oldest, and is run by a mix of Leuven locals and students. Their goal: enrich the radio waves with alternative and experimental sounds that you won’t get to hear anywhere else. For their birthday at Leuven’s nicest culture venue STUK, they’ve invited Hiele, Ignatz, The Tone Zones, Sixsixsixties, and many more.
Music III: Record Store Day with Onda Sonora & friends at Bonnefooi
Saturday, 18 April, 21h00 Brussels
There’s no doubt that all the Record Store Day fuzz can get a bit much at times, which is why Brussels DJ duo Onda Sonora and the city’s major music bar Bonnefooi invite you to unwind from all the stress and just enjoy the music “with your ears, your heart and your booty”, as they put it. Until midnight music nerds are invited to share their favorites from their personal collections, and afterwards Onda Sondora will make you dance with their usual brilliant mix of music that doesn’t fit any category.
Night out: Open The Box at Théâtre Varia
Saturday, 18 April, 23h00 Brussels
You might have already noticed that we’re big fans of the so-called Open The Box parties, which is why we’re delighted to announce another edition taking place this Saturday. This time it’s all going down in the magnificent Théâtre Varia with, as always, a great line-up. Germans Florian Kupfer and Roger 23 as well as the usual suspects Fais Le Beau and Vieira will make sure to keep you moving till dawn.
Cover photo Camille Testard
