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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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menu The Word Magazine

Neighbourhood life, 
art and music
made in Belgium

Follow us

Art
“The chaos of the city could be exhausting as a citizen, but as an artist, it’s a treasure.”

“The chaos of the city could be exhausting as a citizen, but as an artist, it’s a treasure.”

Five foreign-born, Brussels-based artists on their newfound home, and the kind of impact the city has had on their work.

Art Portfolio reports
“I look at life with an urge to understand its shape and core”: Elke Andreas Boon’s gaze at the brutal and vulnerable

“I look at life with an urge to understand its shape and core”: Elke Andreas Boon’s gaze at the brutal and vulnerable

Nothing holds Ghent's Elke Andreas Boon back as she unflinchingly tackles thorny questions on belonging and survival, pain and empathy in her wide-ranging oeuvre.

Art The art throwaway project
Pink spring: Alejandra Hernández’s snaps of India

Pink spring: Alejandra Hernández’s snaps of India

Bogota-by-Brussels artist Alejandra Hernandez's journeyed through India last year, and luckily for us, she brought back a throwaway to share.

Art Portfolio reports
Delicate intimacy in Maria Baoli’s photography

Delicate intimacy in Maria Baoli’s photography

Amongst FoMu platform .tiff's selection of ten strong artists this year, one in particular caught our eye: Brussels-based Maria Baoli breaks down her past, present, and future works for us.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to visit BOZAR’s Are You Series? 2017

Five reasons to visit BOZAR’s Are You Series? 2017

With only one day to go, we handpick five reasons to not miss this year's edition of Are You Series?, the Brussels-based festival celebrating all things international TV series.

Art Studio visits
Behind the scenes of Adelheid De Witte’s charming studio

Behind the scenes of Adelheid De Witte’s charming studio

Telling snapshots of Ghent-based artist Adelheid De Witte's mysterious and vibrant studio.

Art Curator talks
Perpetual Uncertainty: a talk with Z33 curator Ils Huygens

Perpetual Uncertainty: a talk with Z33 curator Ils Huygens

Z33 curator Ils Huygens bridges art and science with Perpetual Uncertainty, exploring contemporary nuclear science's omnipresence in our lives.

Neighbourhood life
Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 2)

Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 2)

Nine more Brussels-based locals imagine the potential futures for architectural design in their neighbourhoods.

Art
Honey I shrunk the kids: Jaco Van Dormael’s bagload of capsules

Honey I shrunk the kids: Jaco Van Dormael’s bagload of capsules

Celebrated Belgian filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael discusses scales, studio tactics and how lovely it is to get to work with family in light of his series of seven capsule videos, in collaboration with signature leathergood imprint Delvaux.

Art Curator talks
visionandfactory’s Hugo Puttaert on Integrated 2017’s urgent manifesto

visionandfactory’s Hugo Puttaert on Integrated 2017’s urgent manifesto

Curator Hugo Puttaert shares the aims and visions involved in this year's Integrated conference, which will be held at Antwerp's deSingel over the next two days.

Art
On capturing the future, by Agence Future

On capturing the future, by Agence Future

We sat down with the duo behind Agence Future to discuss their lives' work, blurring the boundaries between academic vigour and creative art.

Art Curator talks
The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 5: The Aesthetics of Abundance

The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 5: The Aesthetics of Abundance

A "thrilling adventure of the real": how plastics facilitated formal innovation in the 1960s.

Art Portfolio reports
“I’ve always had something of a fascination for folkloric figures”: The tall tales of sculptor Eric Croes

“I’ve always had something of a fascination for folkloric figures”: The tall tales of sculptor Eric Croes

We caught up with the artist Eric Croes in his Etterbeek studio to talk myths, artistic renewal and the clumsiness of ceramics.

Art Studio visits
Behind the scenes of Lieven Segers’ unconventional studio

Behind the scenes of Lieven Segers’ unconventional studio

Look behind the scenes at Antwerp-based artist Lieven Segers atelier.

Art Curator talks
The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 4: Design as a Trojan Horse

The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 4: Design as a Trojan Horse

Was American design in the 1970s protest or pure innovation?

Art Favourite Belgian movies
10 essential movie posters – Part 2

10 essential movie posters – Part 2

From the essential (La Promesse) to the graphic (De Zaak Alzheimer) and the revolutionary (23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles), we zoom in on the artwork that positioned these movies for longevity.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five things to check out at ING Art Centre’s “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Urban Projects”

Five things to check out at ING Art Centre’s “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Urban Projects”

ING Art Centre are visiting Christo and Jeanne-Claude's impressive career for this year's expansive exhibition, and we handpick five unavoidable points for the occasion.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to go and see La Monnaie’s Lucio Silla

Five reasons to go and see La Monnaie’s Lucio Silla

We dissect five key points for attending La Monnaie / De Munt's new, sublime opera Lucio Silla, which is opening tonight.

Art
On the fanclub we created for artist Vaast Colson, by Herman Labro and Julien Stiers

On the fanclub we created for artist Vaast Colson, by Herman Labro and Julien Stiers

Non-profit collective art space w wh at* discusses the beginnings and processes involved in their intriguing project, voorforvaast fanclub.

Art Favourite Belgian movies
10 essential Belgian movie posters – Part 1

10 essential Belgian movie posters – Part 1

From the essential (C’est arrivé près de chez vous) to the graphic (Bullhead) and the tragic (La Merditude des Choses), we zoom in on the artwork that positioned these movies for longevity.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons not to miss this year’s BOZAR Electronic Arts Festival

Five reasons not to miss this year’s BOZAR Electronic Arts Festival

Out of an already fine selection, we've hand-picked five of our not-to-be-missed events in prep for the opening night tomorrow Thursday.

Art Studio visits
Visiting Rinus Van de Velde’s larger-than-life Antwerp studio

Visiting Rinus Van de Velde’s larger-than-life Antwerp studio

We snoop around the Van de Velde's spacious Borgerhout studio filled with - perhaps unsurprisingly - plenty of light, concocted ideas and over-sized canvases.

Art The art throwaway project
Sam Steverlynck’s action shots at Nepal’s Kathmandu Triennale

Sam Steverlynck’s action shots at Nepal’s Kathmandu Triennale

Globetrotting art critic Sam Steverlynck brought back a collection of throwaway shots from his stint at Kathmandu Triennale earlier this spring.

Art Curator talks
MuHKA’s Bart De Baere on the contemporary art institution’s recent expansion

MuHKA’s Bart De Baere on the contemporary art institution’s recent expansion

We talk to Bart De Baere, MuHKA's director, about the institution's recent changes, choices and visions for the future.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons not to miss Yves Klein’s monographic exhibition at BOZAR

Five reasons not to miss Yves Klein’s monographic exhibition at BOZAR

We dissect the quasi-retrospective in five essential points - don’t sleep.

Art Studio visits
Inside the hectic whirlwind studio of Gijs Milius

Inside the hectic whirlwind studio of Gijs Milius

A telling silhouette of one of the capital's most forward-thinking creators Gijs Milius in his natural habitat.

Art Portfolio reports
“I always liked a good story”: the new mythology of Kasper Bosmans

“I always liked a good story”: the new mythology of Kasper Bosmans

In a candid interview, the young Brussels-based artist discusses making drawing and wood sculptures from a very early age, the importance of context and why success is really such a stupid word.

Art Favourite Belgian movies
Revelatory film centre Cinea’s Bart Versteirt selects 8 Belgian movies

Revelatory film centre Cinea’s Bart Versteirt selects 8 Belgian movies

Cinea coordinator Bart Versteirt presents his favourite Belgian movies, from the early silent days to the end of the 20th Century.

Art Portfolio reports
Vulnerable clarity and delicate geometrics with Antwerp’s Frederic Geurts

Vulnerable clarity and delicate geometrics with Antwerp’s Frederic Geurts

From an inherent spatial awareness to a playful fascination with light, Frederic Geurts is no stranger when it comes to public art.

Art Exhibition reviews
Five reasons to go to YO! Brussels Hip Hop Generation at Bozar this summer

Five reasons to go to YO! Brussels Hip Hop Generation at Bozar this summer

Five essential reasons why this summer's Bozar exhibition dedicated to Brussels' burgeoning hip hop culture is a must for your cultural calendar

Art Studio visits
The inviting cave of wonders of Philippe Van Snick

The inviting cave of wonders of Philippe Van Snick

Airy, fresh snapshots of the distinguished artist's Brussels studio.

Art On-design
On aesthetics and trust with Specht Studio’s Stephanie Specht

On aesthetics and trust with Specht Studio’s Stephanie Specht

Vivid and vibrant aesthetics courtesy of the equally vivacious Antwerp-based Stephanie Specht.

Art Portfolio reports
Sum of its parts: The patchwork oeuvre of Ghent-based artist Kasper de Vos

Sum of its parts: The patchwork oeuvre of Ghent-based artist Kasper de Vos

High-brow sensibility on "low culture" moieties with Ghent-based Kasper de Vos.

Art Curator talks
The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 3: The Capsule, the Conquest of Space Takes Form

The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 3: The Capsule, the Conquest of Space Takes Form

Plastics during the Golden Sixties: from sci-fi memoribilia to Cold War décor.

Art Favourite Belgian movies
De Imagerie’s Anne Reijniers selects 5 Belgian movies

De Imagerie’s Anne Reijniers selects 5 Belgian movies

De Imagerie film collective member, and one half of its film festial Visite's curatorial duo Anne Reijniers shares her five most Favourite Belgian Movies.

Art Studio visits
Glimpsing into the private sanctuary of Arpaïs Du Bois

Glimpsing into the private sanctuary of Arpaïs Du Bois

Intimate portraits of the working habitat of the painter-drawer.

Art Portfolio reports
The pertinent eclecticism of Dieter Ravyts

The pertinent eclecticism of Dieter Ravyts

Young contemporary artist Dieter Ravyts talks us through his vivid portfolio, from starting points to inspirations.

Art On-design
Graphic design duo Atelier Brenda discuss studio dynamics

Graphic design duo Atelier Brenda discuss studio dynamics

We talk motivation, artistic integrity and getting your feet too close to the fire with graphic design duo Nana Esi and Sophie Keij of Atelier Brenda.

Art Exhibition reviews
5 works by Pol Bury not to miss at BOZAR

5 works by Pol Bury not to miss at BOZAR

With three weeks left to catch this extraordinary exhibition, we compile five works to prove why this show is definitely one not to miss.

Art Curator talks
Curator Eva Wittocx on Dirk Braeckman’s show for the Belgian Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennial

Curator Eva Wittocx on Dirk Braeckman’s show for the Belgian Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennial

A silent momentum amidst the busy Venice Biennial.

Art Studio visits
At home in Jorinde Krosenbrink’s studio

At home in Jorinde Krosenbrink’s studio

A space filled with movement, memories and inspiration.

Art Portfolio reports
The limitless world of artist Bert Jacobs

The limitless world of artist Bert Jacobs

Brussels-based Bert Jacobs, Dusangneuf Osangsett 's new resident artist, talks perspectives, space and upcoming plans.

Art Favourite Belgian movies
Night of the Experimental Film curator Sofie Verdoodt selects 7 Belgian movies

Night of the Experimental Film curator Sofie Verdoodt selects 7 Belgian movies

Art history lecturer and Ghent University's Film-Plateau coordinator Sofie Verdoodt is teaming up with Ghent-based label B.A.A.D.M. for the Night of the Experimental Film, and compiled us a selection of must-watch Belgian movies.

Art Curator talks
Construction and innovation at Hasselt’s Z33 House for Contemporary Art

Construction and innovation at Hasselt’s Z33 House for Contemporary Art

A candid interview with the institution's artistic director Jan Boelen on moving beyond the traditional exhibition program, heritage and future endeavors.

Art Studio visits
Step inside Sanam Khatibi’s back house studio

Step inside Sanam Khatibi’s back house studio

Lifting part of the veil on the Iranian-born, Brussels-based painter's practice.

Art Favourite Belgian movies
Film historian Wouter Hessels selects 11 Belgian movies

Film historian Wouter Hessels selects 11 Belgian movies

Contemporary gems and all-time cult favourites collide in film historian and RITCS cinema coordinator Wouter Hessels' selection of Belgian cinematic masterpieces.

Art
25 standout booths at Art Brussels

25 standout booths at Art Brussels

The team's top picks at this year's edition of Art Brussels.

Art Exhibition reviews
10 reasons to head to Independent art fair this weekend

10 reasons to head to Independent art fair this weekend

With contemporary art crowds flocking to Brussels from all over, we headed over to Independent art fair and came back with a little review of our afternoon spent walking through the venue's many halls.

Art Portfolio reports
The opaque realities of Simon Asencio’s “The Book of Rumours”

The opaque realities of Simon Asencio’s “The Book of Rumours”

The French artist reveals his newest book project, as part of his residency at Bureau des Réalités.

Art On-design
Ghent-based designer Corbin Mahieu talks trust and honest simplicity

Ghent-based designer Corbin Mahieu talks trust and honest simplicity

"As a designer, you don’t always have to create what your clients want to see."

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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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