Things to do in Belgium this week: exhibitions, birthdays, food, music, and more in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. See you there!
Last days: Steven Baelen at Levy.Delval
Runs until 23 May Brussels
Steven Baelen, born in Roselaere, lives and works in Ghent. He’s principally known for his intense, overly detailed drawings based on his densely filled notebooks in which he meticulously records his surroundings. “Nostalgic feelings”, currently on show at Brussels gallery Levy.Delval, reveals a more sensual side to Baelen’s practice, focusing on a mesmerizing series of multi-layered oil paintings.
Birthday bash: MA
Thursday, 21 May, 18h00 Brussels
It’s been two years that Belgian designer Marina Bautier launched her very own furniture line MA, a collection that skillfully marries simplicity and practicality with a certain Nordic elegance. The Designer of the Year 2014 celebrates this milestone with a proper birthday bash this Thursday at the premises of her Brussels store and studio in Forest. Have a look at her beautiful creations here.
Opening: Larry Fink at Box Galerie
Thursday, 21 May, 18h00 Brussels
The captivating images of American photographer Larry Fink have already been shown in renowned places such as at the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of Modern Art. Now you can discover his gripping work at Brussels’ Box Galerie. The exhibition “The Beats” assembles photographs Fink took while he immersed himself in New York’s second generation of the legendary Beat Movement, whom he attested much less talent than their famous predecessors. “They desperately needed a photographer to be with them, to give them gravity, to live within them, record and encode their wary but benighted existence”, he says.
Food: Open Kitchen at Coffeelabs
Thursday, 21 May, 19h00 Antwerp
Coffelabs, one of Antwerp’s best places for coffee which also prides itself with a super cool rooftop garden to hang out in the summer, kicks off a new project this Thursday: Open Kitchen. Expect some delicious outdoor cooking, this time by Antwerp food collective Les Odettes which focuses on seasonal and local ingredients. Reserve your table via coffeelabs@idealabs.be. Bon appetit!
Concert: Joy Wellboy at De Roma
Thursday, 21 May, 20h30 Antwerp
Belgian electro pop duo Joy Wellboy just released their second album “Wedding”, and this Thursday you can discover it live on stage in the beautiful setting of Antwerp’s De Roma cinema. Joy Adegoke and Wim Janssens, who are not only a couple when it comes to music but also in real life, have been signed by Berlin label Bpitch Control and are embarking on a tour bringing them to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Opening: Teardrops (in my eyes) at Base-Alpha
Thursday, 21 May Antwerp
Antwerp’s Base-Alpha Gallery just blew us away with their fresh and fascinating booth at Art Brussels, which is why we’re really looking forward to this promising group show kicking off on Thursday. “Teardrops (in my eyes)” unites the works of Nadia Naveau, Lieven Segers, Katleen Vinck, and many others.
Music meets charity: Kunst voor Nepal at Vooruit
Thursday, 21 May, 17h00-00h00 Ghent
Belgian artists team up to raise money for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal with a huge charity event this Thursday at Ghent’s Vooruit. On the programme are concerts by Deus and Nordmann as well as an art auction, a book sale and a performance with Wouter Deprez , Carll Cneut and Ruben Focketyn. With contributions by Gideon Kiefer, Guillaume Bijl, Matthieu Ronse, Rinus Van de Velde, Bieke Depoorter and many many others.
Summer hangout: Friday rooftop sessions
Friday, 22 May, 17h00 Brussels
What better place to hang out during the summer than a rooftop with a stunning view over the city. The Playlabel rooftop on top of Crosly Bowling offers you just that this Friday, together with music brought to you by the Brussels-based label’s own artists.
Opening: Bert Danckaert at 44 Gallery
Sunday, 24 May, 16h00 Bruges
Art festival Triennale Brugge 2015 is opening this week, and 44 Gallery’s solo show presenting works by Belgian photographer Bert Danckaert is part of the eclectic programme. Danckaert is a master at finding beauty in the ordinary, transforming banal cityscapes into powerful, minimalist works of art focusing on colors and geometric shapes. A must-see.
Shopping: Designer market at Stulp
Sunday, 24 May, 10h00 Antwerp
Pop-up bar Stulp, a temporary creative hub aiming at bringing together artists, art enthusiasts and everyone else for exhibitions, film screenings, performances, workshops, parties and more, invites you to their designer market this Sunday. It features a selection of young creators from Atelier April and Studio Bibette to Josien Baetens and Soppafest. Check out their objects, accessories and clothes while munching a delicious cake.
Cover photo Margaux Nieto
