Right now, Brussels is one of the best places in Europe to be a young creative. The city’s relatively low rents and large number of galleries have shaped a vibrant community for artists.
I recently traveled to the Belgian city, and saw street art influenced by pop culture, including a David Bowie mural that turned into a memorial. Many of the galleries displayed provoking works, including a taboo exhibit that didn’t shy away from racy themes.
Local fashion designers have been making waves worldwide, such as Rick Owens and Raf Simons. There’s a strong focus on artisanship, exemplified by a “lunetier” who spends months crafting glasses with traditional methods.
Brussels’ chocolates and waffles are already world famous. However, I met chefs who are modernizing the food scene: by turning chocolate into haute couture, and vegetables into molecular masterpieces.
Watch a video about La Carmina’s travels in Brussels.
Produced by Borderless Media and hosted by La Carmina.
Disclaimer: La Carmina and Borderless Media were guests of Visit Belgium.
I paid tribute to David Bowie at this Blackstar mural, by Belgium’s Noir Artist. The painting went viral because the day after he completed it, the world learned that Bowie had died of cancer.
I interviewed Noir Artist during his opening night at Mazel Galerie. He only uses black pigment, and his influences range from tattoos to Pop Art.
Once a 19th century townhouse, Maison Particulière is now the edgiest art space in Brussels. At the “Tabu” exhibition, I saw S&M birdhouses, silicone genitalia, and other boundary-pushing installations.
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