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Neighbourhood life

Belgium building

Discussing iconic Belgian architecture with urban planners, architects, writers and curators.

Do the right thing

Weekly listings of exhibitions, concerts, openings, parties and events to do over the weekend.

Area codes

Local heroes reveal their favourite neighbourhood hotspots and hangouts – from bars and bookshops to restaurants and galleries.

This is Belgium

The best Belgian-only art, food, photography, music, travel, architecture and neighbourhood tips from the magazine’s team of editors.

hub heroes

We team up with hub.brussels, Brussels’ Business Support Agency, and shine a light on 50 of the Region’s start-up success stories driving the capital city’s economic landscape forward. From the eco-conscious manufacturer to the technology-enabled post-production imprint, our 50-strong selection of portraits and interviews plays testament to the Region’s dense and dynamic culture of entrepreneurship.

The Brussels Bike Hundred

We’re teaming up with Bike for Brussels to put together a 100-strong selection of local heroes shaping the city each in their own way. From designers and DJs to performers and publishers, these are the creatives riding Brussels forward.

The Mechelen Hundred

Nestled between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen has often been overshadowed by its larger neighbours. Yet teaming up with the City of Mechelen, our line-up of 100 of the city’s most prominent people, places and projects proves the extent of its potential. From artists and creatives to critical thinkers and fighters, these are the powerhouses driving Mechelen forward one step at a time.

The House Hundred

We’re teaming up with Bulldog to select 100 essential people, places and projects in Belgian house music. From producers and DJs to record labels and festivals, these are the forces driving the homegrown house scene forward, one BPM at a time.

The Leuven Hundreds

We’ve joined forces with Leuven to highlight 100 local people, places and projects that contribute towards making the city what it is today. From artists and architects to producers and professors, these are the driving forces powering Leuven forward one ingenious initiative at a time.

The Antwerp Hundreds

We've teamed up with This is Antwerp to bring you The Antwerp Hundreds, a 100-strong selection of local movers and shakers setting the tone for the neighbourhood of tomorrow.

Art

On-design

An in-depth look at the work of Belgian design studios, published monthly.

Favourite Belgian movies

Selections of essential Belgian movies handpicked by artistic directors, curators and all-round cinema connoisseurs.

Curator talks

Intimate conversations with curators dissecting the ambitions, intentions and narratives of their recently opened exhibitions.

Exhibition reviews

Visual documentaries of recently opened contemporary art exhibitions in Belgium.

Portfolio reports

Reviewing the practice of Belgium-based artists through in-depth looks at their recent works.

Studio visits

Exploring the environments and artistic spaces of some of the country’s foremost contemporary artists.

The art throwaway project

Insights into the lives of local contemporary art movers and shakers through our office Quicksnaps.

Music

Exclusive mixes

Hour-long mixes recorded by the crème de la crème of Belgian DJs and producers exclusively for us.

Favourite Belgian releases

Selections of essential Belgian tracks handpicked by local tastemakers, from DJs and producers to record label heads and record store clerks.

The music throwaway project

Backstage antics, tour tales and onstage adventures with some of the country’s most exciting musical talents captured with our office Quicksnaps.

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Neighbourhood life, 
art and music
made in Belgium

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Art Portfolio reports
Goeun Choi aka Chego’s patchwork elements and punchy confessions

Goeun Choi aka Chego’s patchwork elements and punchy confessions

As part of BOZAR's Somewhere In Between, the group exhibition Fremdkörper brings together various voices to explore the elusive boundaries between physical corporalities and abstract identities. For the occasion, we've invited five participating artists to showcase their works, including Goeun Choi aka Chego.

Art Studio visits
“I have three chickens, it’s located by the Atomium and my neighbour is the King.” Inside Martin Belou’s studio

“I have three chickens, it’s located by the Atomium and my neighbour is the King.” Inside Martin Belou’s studio

Martin Belou, currently based in northwest Brussels, is no stranger to the raw and organic, performative and artisanal. With a solo exhibition of his work now showing at Hasselt’s CIAP, contemporary artist Martin Belou discusses the place his studio occupies in his collage-esque body of work, why a circular space makes all the difference and the Pink Floyd video shot on the studio’s rooftop.

Art Portfolio reports
Immersion into the unknown: Marijke De Roover’s DIY visual activism

Immersion into the unknown: Marijke De Roover’s DIY visual activism

As part of BOZAR's Somewhere In Between, the group exhibition Fremdkörper brings together various voices to explore the elusive boundaries between physical corporalities and abstract identities. For the occasion, we've invited five participating artists to showcase their works, among them Marijke de Roover.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to visit BOZAR’s RESIST!

Five reasons to visit BOZAR’s RESIST!

BOZAR has launched its second major summer exhibition RESIST! - unmissable, but if you need more convincing, here are five reasons why you should go.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons not to miss BOZAR’s Somewhere In Between

Five reasons not to miss BOZAR’s Somewhere In Between

To make navigating through BOZAR's expansive Somewhere in Between exhibition easier, we've hand-picked five reasons why you simply cannot miss this.

Art Portfolio reports
Different normalities: How Jean-Samuel N’Sengi accepted and freed himself through art

Different normalities: How Jean-Samuel N’Sengi accepted and freed himself through art

As part of BOZAR's Somewhere In Between, the group exhibition Fremdkörper brings together various voices to explore the elusive boundaries between physical corporalities and abstract identities. For the occasion, we've invited five participating artists to showcase their works, carrying on with Jean-Samuel N'Sengi.

Art Portfolio reports
Reflecting on the in-between: Megan-Leigh Heilig on understanding “reality”

Reflecting on the in-between: Megan-Leigh Heilig on understanding “reality”

As part of BOZAR's Somewhere In Between, the group exhibition Fremdkörper brings together various voices to explore the elusive boundaries between physical corporalities and abstract identities. For the occasion, we've invited five participating artists to showcase their works, starting with filmmaker Megan-Leigh Heilig.

Art Studio visits
“My studio is more intimate than my bedroom, almost an extension of my own body.” Inside the studio of Hannelore Van Dijck

“My studio is more intimate than my bedroom, almost an extension of my own body.” Inside the studio of Hannelore Van Dijck

We spoke to Ghent-based artist Hannelore Van Dijck about the importance and impact of her studio on her artistic practice.

Art Portfolio reports
Plant sounds and travel logs: Romain Scaillet’s mixed-medium artistic approach

Plant sounds and travel logs: Romain Scaillet’s mixed-medium artistic approach

From photography to drawings, short film to music production, we took the chance to get some insights into Romain Scaillet's work by posing a couple of questions.

Art
25-to-life: Part 5 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

25-to-life: Part 5 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, rounding it off with Part 5.

Art
Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Bluebeard’s Castle & The Miraculous Mandarin

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Bluebeard’s Castle & The Miraculous Mandarin

Renowned for Béla Bartók's gothic magnificence, we select five reasons why La Monnaie's next double-bill productions are unmissable.

Art Portfolio reports
Translating conversations into photographs: Hadrien Duré’s search for great stories behind local people

Translating conversations into photographs: Hadrien Duré’s search for great stories behind local people

We posed Hadrien Duré a couple of questions about keeping the camera rolling outside of the boxing ring, travelling all over the Mediterranean and keeping everyone on their toes.

Art Portfolio reports
“I was respected in Charleroi because no other girl had the balls to do what I had done.” Sarah Lowie’s vivid new realism

“I was respected in Charleroi because no other girl had the balls to do what I had done.” Sarah Lowie’s vivid new realism

We put a few last-minute questions to emerging photographer Sarah Lowie in a Whatsapp conversation as stern and sincere as her artistic narrative.

Art
25-to-life: Part 4 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

25-to-life: Part 4 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, carrying on the five-part series with Part 4.

Art On-design
Conceptual re-evaluation: Balthazar Delepierre’s design exploration

Conceptual re-evaluation: Balthazar Delepierre’s design exploration

From familial inspiration with typography to finding his stride in style, Brussels-based independent graphic designer Balthazar Delepierre talks us through his portfolio.

Art
On the streets of Belgium, Part 4: Thomas Ost

On the streets of Belgium, Part 4: Thomas Ost

The Word Magazine and Fujifilm have partnered up, and we sent our own in-house photographer Thomas Ost to capture our streets for the occasion.

Art
On the streets of Belgium, Part 3: Joke de Wilde

On the streets of Belgium, Part 3: Joke de Wilde

The Word Magazine and Fujifilm have partnered up, and we sent our own in-house photographer Joke De Wilde to capture our streets for the occasion.

Art Curator talks
Ballon Rouge Collective curator Evelyn Simons on collective speculation

Ballon Rouge Collective curator Evelyn Simons on collective speculation

We put a few questions to Brussels-based curator Evelyn Simons on her current exhibition with Philip Janssens, about being at the forefront of an international movement, and why they needed a thousand tulips.

Art
On the streets of Belgium, Part 2: Eva Donckers

On the streets of Belgium, Part 2: Eva Donckers

The Word Magazine and Fujifilm are happy to invite you to a free street photography workshop, and for the occassion, we sent our own in-house photographer Eva Donckers to capture our streets.

Art
25-to-life: Part 3 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

25-to-life: Part 3 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, continuing on the five-part series with Part 3.

Art
Five reasons not to miss deSingel’s BOUGE B

Five reasons not to miss deSingel’s BOUGE B

Renowned for its fresh perspective and multisensory approach to performance art, we select five reasons why this year's BOUGE B is one to be noted.

Art Curator talks
“We’d rather invite the guys you probably never heard of.” Splḗn co-founder Felix Claus on the next energetic edition

“We’d rather invite the guys you probably never heard of.” Splḗn co-founder Felix Claus on the next energetic edition

With the next edition of energetic festival Splḗn hosted this coming weekend, we put a few questions to co-founder Felix Claus about breaking the music festival mould, championing up-and-coming artists and how to keep energy levels high.

Art
On the streets of Belgium, Part 1: Miles Fischler

On the streets of Belgium, Part 1: Miles Fischler

The Word Magazine and Fujifilm are happy to invite you to a free street photography workshop, and for the occassion, we sent our own in-house photographer Miles Fischler to capture our streets.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Lohengrin

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Lohengrin

We select five reasons why La Monnaie's next month-long production Lohengrin is one to be noted.

Art
Rhythm is a dancer: Brussels-based contemporary dance school P.A.R.T.S.

Rhythm is a dancer: Brussels-based contemporary dance school P.A.R.T.S.

How exactly does the internationally acclaimed dance school P.A.R.T.S. manage to churn out future talent after future talent in such a diminutive and unassuming manner?

Art Favourite Belgian movies
KASKcinema’s Bert Lesaffer selects 10 classic Belgian movies

KASKcinema’s Bert Lesaffer selects 10 classic Belgian movies

In honour of their spring programme being in full swing, KASKcinema teacher and programmer Bert Lesaffer presents his favourite Belgian movies.

Art Curator talks
“I want to create something that can stand on its own.” Midnight Chardonnay founder Mamiko Motto on the debut edition of her nomadic festival concept

“I want to create something that can stand on its own.” Midnight Chardonnay founder Mamiko Motto on the debut edition of her nomadic festival concept

With the first edition of Midnight Chardonnay hosted this coming Saturday at Antwerp's Het Bos, we put a few questions to founder Mamiko Motto.

Art
25-to-life: Part 2 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

25-to-life: Part 2 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, carrying on the five-part series with Part 2.

Art Studio visits
Behind the scenes of Kasper De Vos’ hectic studio

Behind the scenes of Kasper De Vos’ hectic studio

Inside access into Kasper De Vos' mad scientist's laboratory, with rusted scissors, scattered photographs and half-finished sculptures giving a taste of his multidimensional mind.

Art Portfolio reports
“I believe that art is a human need”: Tatjana Gerhard’s re-invention of the world

“I believe that art is a human need”: Tatjana Gerhard’s re-invention of the world

Zürich native and Ghent-based artist Tatjana Gerhard showcases her long career tributing the human figure, ahead of her upcoming solo-exhibition Rag Doll Act at Waregem's Be-Part.

Art Portfolio reports
The way you make me move: Recently deceased Ghent-based artist Lucas Devriendt, as recalled by friends, colleagues and students

The way you make me move: Recently deceased Ghent-based artist Lucas Devriendt, as recalled by friends, colleagues and students

A series of first-hand tributes collected by artlead.net's Thomas Caron, commemorating the legacy of artist and teacher Lucas Devriendt, and how he touched so many lives.

Art Portfolio reports
Philip Vormwald’s tribute to chaos

Philip Vormwald’s tribute to chaos

Next up with Philip Vormwald's monochromatic chaos, we're shining some light on The Hope's nominees ahead of Collectible's opening in a rather impromptu yet necessary collaborative mini-series.

Art Portfolio reports
Héloïse Rival on her work, challenges and the everyday inspirations

Héloïse Rival on her work, challenges and the everyday inspirations

Continuing with Héloïse Rival's unconventional practices, we're shining some light on The Hope's nominees ahead of Collectible's opening in a rather impromptu yet necessary collaborative mini-series.

Art Portfolio reports
The lighter side of satire: William Ludwig Lutgens’ unfiltered mind

The lighter side of satire: William Ludwig Lutgens’ unfiltered mind

Antwerp-based visual artist William Ludwig Lutgens takes us through the chaotic thought processes behind his rebellious works.

Art Portfolio reports
“Belgium is challenging as it is an unescapable art platform in Europe”: Eric Stephany’s work on balance

“Belgium is challenging as it is an unescapable art platform in Europe”: Eric Stephany’s work on balance

Carrying on with Eric Stephany's geometric forms, we're shining some light on The Hope's nominees ahead of Collectible's opening in a rather impromptu yet necessary collaborative mini-series.

Art Portfolio reports
Martin Hyde’s questioning of the real world

Martin Hyde’s questioning of the real world

Kicking off with Martin Hyde's surrealism, we're shining some light on The Hope's nominees ahead of Collectible's opening in a rather impromptu yet necessary collaborative mini-series.

Art
25-to-life: Part 1 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

25-to-life: Part 1 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, kicking off the five-part series with introductory Part 1.

Art Curator talks
“Fighting against an unequal relationship”: Kaaitheater’s Katleen Van Langendonck on WoWmen! 2018

“Fighting against an unequal relationship”: Kaaitheater’s Katleen Van Langendonck on WoWmen! 2018

Brussels-based performing arts centre Kaaitheater’s artistic programmer Katleen Van Langendonck spills the beans on this year’s program of WoWmen!, kicking off this Monday 5th.

Art Curator talks
Interrogating the individual: Island’s Emmanelle Indekeu on Me, me, me, me

Interrogating the individual: Island’s Emmanelle Indekeu on Me, me, me, me

Curator Emmanuelle Indekeu unpicks the temporality and pertinence of bringing artists together for Brussels-based gallery Island's current exhibition, whilst tapping into her own creative inspirations

Art
On capturing portraits of a generation by Gen Z’s Salvatore Calcagno, Antoine Neufmars and Emilie Flamant

On capturing portraits of a generation by Gen Z’s Salvatore Calcagno, Antoine Neufmars and Emilie Flamant

Questioning what it means to be a youth in the digital age and how political consciousness is shaping their future choices, the result is the interdisciplinary documentary event Gen Z that reconciles Millenials in all their complexities.

Art On-design
Resurrecting darlings: Ines Cox’s design self-reflections

Resurrecting darlings: Ines Cox’s design self-reflections

From childhood games with a copy machine to finding inspiration from her students, the unrelentless Ines Cox talks us through her portfolio.

Art Portfolio reports
Seeing the bigger picture: Nick Ervinck’s virtual reality

Seeing the bigger picture: Nick Ervinck’s virtual reality

With the virtual world at the tips of his fingers, Nick Ervinck's brush is a radical tool for control and manipulatation, and in creating exciting new possibilities like printing pre-designed food.

Art Curator talks
Digging deep into the Acker process: Florian Fischer on To Name Herstory

Digging deep into the Acker process: Florian Fischer on To Name Herstory

It's your last chance to catch To Name Herstory, and director Florian Fischer gives his own interrogative take on Kathy Acker's intentions and discusses the challenges of transforming her work into theatre for the occasion.

Art Curator talks
Bridging the makers with the viewers: Eva Van Tongeren on Visite’s fourth edition

Bridging the makers with the viewers: Eva Van Tongeren on Visite’s fourth edition

With the opening night of their fourth edition set at Brussels' Beursschouwburg this Wednesday, the rest of Visite will be carried out in its home-base Het Bos till 3rd of March.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci

Taking to the stage next week Tuesday 6th of March, we select five reasons why this month-long double bill production is one to be noted.

Art Portfolio reports
“Art should protect vulnerable histories and project future hypothesis, repositioning perspectives and unravelling potentiality.” The cerebral work of Emmanuel Van der Auwera

“Art should protect vulnerable histories and project future hypothesis, repositioning perspectives and unravelling potentiality.” The cerebral work of Emmanuel Van der Auwera

Emmanuel Van der Auwera discusses the genesis of his artistic practice, the inflection point that was 9/11 and how society at large processes trauma.

Art Curator talks
On battling indifference

On battling indifference

Based off of an interview with S.M.A.K.'s Philippe Van Cauteren, a manifesto concerning the power of museums in battling indifference and its ability to shape engaged and motivated individuals.

Art
The 40 best photographs of 2017

The 40 best photographs of 2017

Art Studio visits
Inside Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven’s visual paradise

Inside Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven’s visual paradise

With Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven's grand AMVK exhibition set to take over M HKA starting tomorrow, here's a chance to look behind the curtains.

Art Curator talks
From riots to regeneration: Operational Aesthetics opens today at CIVA in Brussels

From riots to regeneration: Operational Aesthetics opens today at CIVA in Brussels

We consider the transformative effect of Neighbourhood Contracts on Brussels' landscape, economy and social cohesion. 

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The Word Magazine is Belgium’s leading English-speaking free media platform, documenting and championing the best in neighbourhood living, music and art. Published every two months, the magazine is distributed in over 500 distribution points across the country.

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