I'm watching you in Anderlecht...

I love all the graffiti murals painted on the concrete columns under the Ring road that looms over part of Neerpede's leafy park in the far reaches of Anderlecht. IMHO, it's the best open-air art gallery in Brussels. I even thought about commissioning on of the boys to paint something on my bedroom wall..! However, it's really disheartening that some of the best works of art - which they are - get covered up by ugly tags, which display no artistic merit, talent or imagination. Only territory marking like urinating canines....

Katinka Lampe 1

katinka lampe1

Painting by Katrinka Lampe in her exhibition, 'Rebel and Saint' at the Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire, Brussels. This and many other galleries took part in Brussels Art Day, holding special events and previews etc to encourage people's interest in contemporary art.

It was also great fun.

De Wand Tram Stop

de_Wand2

This tramstop is about to have more grafitti murals added to it, financed by the Brussels municipality. It's a lovely place in a tree lined well below road level. The trams enter and exit through tunnels.

I like the mural that is already there and the pale blue walls. I hope further murals add to the appeal.

Hotel Bloom Revisited

bloom flower artist

I went back to the hotel to get some more photos of the artists and their work and got this great one in one of the most colourful of the rooms. This exuberant display of flowers carried on over the wall and onto the ceiling.

This is a great project and it's inspired me to try to start one of my own, featuring the Mannekin Pis. I'm talking to some artist friends at the moment and doing some preliminary research and I hope to give you some more details soon.

Hotel Bloom

bloom 3

22 European artists have won chance to paint an artwork in Brussels' Hotel Bloom. Each bedroom is unique.

I had a great time wandering around the eighth floor, taking photos for Upfront magazine and chatting to the very friendly bunch of artists who explained what they were trying to do. I didn't seen any works that I didn't like, most I would describe as interesting and some were outstanding.

I'm going back later to photo the completed works, but click on the photo to see my flickr collection of some of the artists and their works.

Coup de théâtre à La Monnaie

Coup de théâtre à La Monnaie
Originally uploaded by MKWM

"Curtain", by Alicja Karska & Aleksandra Went (Project 21 - Poland)

A fortnight ago, as I was having a warm drink, sitting on a terrace in Place de la Monnaie, I kept looking at that red curtain, wondering what it could be all about. Now I know... and I must admit this Agorafolly project actually distracted me from my daily routine in the most pleasant way, unveiling a building I knew nothing about, although I’ve been living in Brussels for over a quarter of a century.

What you can see behind the curtain

The theatre's history

Public Exchange Store

europhilia agrofolly 16

By Yota Ioannidou (Greece)

This is an interesting way of looking at exchange, currency and markets - things that obsess EU decision makers. This triangular cabin is where you can exchange goods for other goods or services.

Part of the Europhilia Agrofolly exhibition of 27 different works in 27 public squares, each artist represents their own EU nation.

You are Here

europhilia agrofolly 15 garden

By Gaja Zornada (Slovenia)

A large whiteboard with marker pens on chains, invites passers by to write, doodle or whatever. The resulting mess is supposed to say something profound. Then the rain washes it off.

Being Belgium, Francophones write on one side, Flemish on the other.

Part of the Europhilia Agrofolly exhibition of 27 different works in 27 public squares, each artist represents their own EU nation.

Adolescence of Force

europhilia agrofolly 18 bench

By Antonio Pio Saracino (Italy)

This is a 2001 style monolith with ap picture of a man and a woman gently nestling a glowing cocoon. This is meant to allude to the delicate balance between force and vulnerability.

It's got a fresh and innocent feel to it.

Part of the Europhilia Agrofolly exhibition of 27 different works in 27 public squares, each artist represents their own EU nation.

Europalia Agorafolly 10

Europalia Agorafolly17

One More Monument by Fia-Stina Sandlung

Not a great photo, but a dark morning suited this piece. In front of the war memorial is a black square set into the ground. On it is inscribed "In Honour Of The Future Victims Of Swedish Made Weapons".

At once this artwork reconciles the homage to the previous previous fallen and a duty towards building a peaceful future.

As you read the inscription you automatically look down, taking in the inscription as you bow your head to the existing monument.

Why Sweden? Well it's neutrality doesn't seem to harm it's weapons sales.

Europalia Agorafolly 8

Europalia Agorafolly14

Another part of Europalia Agorafolly. This one is about consumerism. It looks like a really funky kids playground, a bit like Planet Kids.

I didn't really get this one. Still at least I got a ride in the lift, one that always induces a touch of vertigo in me, but what a view from it.

Welcome Strangers

welcome strangers2

This piece, sending out a message to space is part of the Europarlia festival and part of an Art Walk through Brussels. We'll be covering more of this in the future.

I like this simple sculpture and it's open, hopeful and friendly message.

kaabala

kaabala

Brussels recreates Mecca's famous Kaabala in Martyrs Square off Rue Neuve.

Update: Whoops! I've just realised that this isn't a rennovation of a monument but a work of art for europhilia.

Water Sculpture

water sculpture 1

I'm glad to see Brussels getting into art and installations, even if I don't like a particular piece, as they enliven the capital with their often quirky and eccentric presence.

This is a water fountain/sculpture at Schuman, possibly to celebrate EU Maritime Policy Month, or something similar that is causing spontaneous joy and dancing in the streets all the way to Parc.

It is easy to criticise such EU nonsense and modern art, but to be a bit more balanced I have to say that this is an inventive piece.

By using controllers to start and stop the water, often for micro-seconds, words and images appear in the falling water, such as 'maritime' in this picture. Clever stuff, but I suspect someone's been having fun as I kept seeing a shower of falling willies appearing.

Some may doubt the wisdom of such an installation in rain soaked Brussels, but if you stand in the right place on a clear morning as the Sun's first rays hit the falling water, one can see a golden shower raining over Berlaymont.

Sheer poetry.

Little Flower of Jesus

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I've been a long time admirer of bad art - and I must remember to post a photo of my favourite bad art shop soon. I also love mad religious tat as well. Sometimes both of these interests collide.

This glorious example features top totty, St Therese, in a mild bondage theme for some reason, as she was never imprisoned or chained up in her life.

Cityscape

cityscape1

The cityscape installation is now open and there are some lovely seats as well as a sub-IKEA wooden bench around the exterior. It is a wonderful intrusion into an old city and there's a lovely smell of fresh wood in the air.

I was photographing it for an article in the next issue of Upfront and one of the most interesting aspects was watching people's reactions, I even saw two people bump into each other because they were startled by the installation. Also I noticed how much people enjoyed it, the smiles, the gestures and how comfortable people felt around the sculpture.

Now I have to go and see it under different lights and in the evening. It's a lovely experience. Take a book or an ipod and just enjoy sitting around this imaginative and impressive artwork.

Doorway Decor

door decor kids

Rather oddly, this home owner decided to decorate their doorway with a carving of two kids blowing their noses.

penguin painting

penguin painting

Sometimes I'm suprised at how well a photo can turn out. This painting was in a restaurant window, I think ,in Brussels' gay village area. It looks like a David Lynch shot.

I mist admit that I've got a soft spot for bad art - and this isn't too bad, and actively seek it out wherever I can. There is a great art shop in town that always has a proud display of truly horrible works. I'll show you a picture of it some time.

I've been a bit slow about posting as I'm very busy doing a new website for a project, so be patient. Oh, there's one way of telling when you're in a gay village - none of the streets are straight.