Things to do in Belgium this week: greenery in Brussels, photography and a book launch in Antwerp, an art night in Hasselt, and more. See you there!
Plants & Greenery: Seeds at För
Thursday, 7 May, 18-21h00 Brussels
In the last years gardening has lost its dusty, grandmotherly image with magazines like The Plant and original urban gardening projects such as Berlin’s Prinzessinnengarten seeming to hit a nerve with the younger generation. It is in this spirit that the initiative Seeds was founded, a Brussels collective based on the belief that humans are connected to plants and the environment. With a series of events in different locations Seeds wants to foster discovery, exploration and creation around the world of plants, bringing together people from all walks of life. The project kicks off this Thursday at lovely Brussels concept store FÖR, offering an exhibition by biologist-meets-artist Nils Grauerholz, plant-swapping as well as “The Wishful Garden”, a collaborative planting concept inviting everyone to plant the seeds of their choosing.
Opening: Photographs from the Floating World at Ibasho Gallery
Thursday, 7 May, 18-22h00 Antwerp
Ibasho Gallery, one of the newest additions to Antwerp’s gallery scene, invites you to the fascinating group exhibition “Photographs from the Floating World”, showcasing the works of four different Japanese photographers, who all in their own way celebrate the ancient Japanese art of “Ukiyo-e”, beautiful woodblock prints depicting historic events, folk tales, landscapes, erotica and more. Interestingly, the rise of photography is actually one of the causes for the demise of this iconic, labour-intensive art form. With works by Keiichi Ito, Taichi Gondaira, Yoshihiro Tatsuki and Naoyuki Ogino.
Art night: Kunstennacht Hasselt
Thursday, 7 May, 18-00h00 Hasselt
Paul Smith at Modemuseum Hasselt. Photography Veerle Frissen
There’s much more to the Belgian art scene then Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent, and newly launched Kunstennacht Hasselt is proof of that. At the initiative of Hasselt’s Triennale you’re invited this Thursday to a special art night, when 18 museums, galleries, art spaces and artists will open their doors for art fans until late at night, offering exhibitions, lectures and an after party at CIAP art center. Do check out the Konstantin Grcic exhibition at Z33, an expo about Paul Smith at Hasselt’s Fashion Museum, and have a look at the full programme here.
Book launch: Harry Gruyaert at FoMu
Thursday, 7 May, 19h00 Antwerp
Harry Gruyaert, one of Belgium’s most prominent photographers, will be at Antwerp’s FoMu this Thursday to present his brand new photo book, answering questions and signing copies. The release coincides with his current exhibition at Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, the first major retrospective of his fascinating work. The Magnum photographer is mainly known for his explorations of the functions of light and colour, which are evident throughout his oeuvre ranging from TV images to photographs taken on his travels in Moscow or Morocco.
Night out: OPUS at Mirano
Friday, 8 May, 23h00 Brussels
We all remember the legendary Dirty Dancing nights at Brussels’ Mirano (and do miss them a bit, admittedly) which is why we’re delighted to hear that nightlife concept OPUS will take over the beautiful premises this Friday in an attempt to revive and refresh the venue’s mythical spirit. After four years OPUS, which wants to bring electronic music together with the visual and interactive arts, has finally found a permanent home in the former cinema, inviting you to dance the night away every second Friday of the month. Don’t miss this week’s inaugural edition with Dario Rossi, D’julz and many others behind the decks. Can’t wait to step on that moving dancefloor again.
Talent fair: Nationa(a)l Expo Store 2015
From 8 to 17 May Brussels
Nationa(a)l Expo Store is a hard one to define, as the exhibition-meets-pop-up-store-meets-event-venue offers an eclectic and exciting mix of everything from music and visual arts to fashion, design, gastronomy, cinema and publishing. This third edition is once again all about celebrating and supporting Belgian talent, giving you a glimpse on current trends and emerging up-and-comers in the country’s creative scene. The whole shebang kicks off this Friday and until 17 May you can stop by every day to shop, watch movies, eat, see concerts, and much more. Check out the full programme here.
Art festival: Kunstenfestivaldesarts 2015
From 8 to 30 May Brussels
This Friday the 30th edition of Kunstenfestivaldesarts kicks off with a huge opening party featuring performances, drinks and lots of music. It’s all going down under the open sky on the stairs of Brussels’ Stock Exchange and later at the Beurskaffee. The cosmopolitan art festival celebrating theatre, dance, performance and the visual arts takes over the city of Brussels each May with a fresh, international and truly exciting programme, while trying to lessen territorial, linguistic and cultural divides.
Music festival: Nuits Botanique 2015
From 9 to 19 May Brussels
Photo Damon De Backer
Every year during the sunny season Botanique’s concert programme invades the park around its gorgeous premises to throw a lovely outdoor festival which is mainly dedicated to discovering new talents but also to reinforcing musical careers. The multifaceted line-up pleases every taste and crosses all genres, including everything from Jacco Gardner’s psychedelic pop to Theophilus London’s hip hop. When it comes to homegrown talent we’re especially looking forward to discover Great Mountain Fire’s release gig, the brand new atmo-acoustic show “Lapland Skies” by indie space pop five-piece Recorders, and The Sunday Charmers’s debut at Botanique.
Cover photo Margaux Nieto
