Tag: Behind the scenes

“I try to keep away from the Internet and social media as much as possible.” Composer John Gilbert Colman on the recent reissue of his little-known, nearly disregarded Belgian theater score

Enigmatic and elusive Antwerp-born composer John Gilbert Colman's reminiscence over Daedelus, from composing its pop-musique concrète soundtrack to witnessing 45 children perform through lack of inhibition.

The art of togetherness: De Zwarte Zusters on the power of mutual improvisation

In the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival, various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, rounding up with Ghent's De Zwarte Zusters.

“I walk around, I ask a lot of questions, and I’m as naive as possible.” Bert Villa on human design and rediscovery

Various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works in the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, continuing the stream with multi-platform artist Bert Villa.

“A fascination for city structures.” How sculptor Elias Cafmeyer turns reality into fictional and alienating situations

Various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works in the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, following up with Antwerp-based sculptor Elias Cafmeyer.

“I would like to interrupt today’s machine gun of images for a moment.” Oona Libens’ questioning of today’s imagery

In the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival, various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, including multi-skilled artists Oona Libens.

Crazy days in Comblain: How a tiny hamlet nestled deep in the Belgian Ardennes became home to the world’s biggest jazz festival.

From the late 50s through to the mid-60s, Comblain-la-Tour played host to the world’s biggest jazz festival. Jazz expert Lander Lenaerts takes a trip down memory lane, speaking to locals and performing artists about the festival’s enduring legacy, its liberating ethos and the lasting impact it had on the country’s jazz scene.

“Running a cassette label was basically just another means of coping with my addiction.” EE Tapes’ unabashed infatuation with obscurity

In a rare interview, EE Tapes' founder Eriek Van Havere talks tape swaps, his love of compilations and why he continues to release Alain Neffe music.

“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.

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.

51N4E: The architecture practice using Brussels as a testing ground for future change

We sat down with Brussels-based architectural practice 51N4E's co-founding partner Freek Persyn to talk about their growing influential role, the necessity of a bottom-up approach to city planning and how Brussels is the best playground an architect could currently hope for.

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.

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.

“I don’t trust anyone who says they don’t like pop music!” Inne Eysermans on new adventures in sound art.

Composer, producer and Amatorski frontwoman Inne Eysermans discusses influences, her monthly show on The Word Radio and the liberating effect of not being tied to any release schedule.

“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.

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.

“If we dig it, we’re going to spit over it.” Brussels-based rap phenomenon Le 77 on the past, the present and the future

In the whirlwind that was their second release Bawlers, we managed to catch Dr. Peet and manager Rayan of Le 77 in the comfort of their home to talk houseparties, influential aesthetics and repping area codes.

“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.

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.

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.

On documenting a tower block’s dying days by Christina Vandekerckhove

Ghent local Christina Vandekerckhove talks us through her most recent creation Rabot, a heartwrenching portrayal of urban demise and human perseverance, which hit the silver screens in January to much acclaim.

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.

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

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.

On why future generations need us to act instead of talk

Editor-in-chief Nicholas Lewis considers the all-inclusiveness and tolerance suddenly besieging the cultural sector.

The 40 best photographs of 2017

Class of ’17 – Part III

Take a look at 7 more of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

Class of ’17 – Part II

Take a look at 8 more of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

Class of ’17 – Part I

Take a look at the first 8 of some of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

“I think you need some guts to live here”: The enduring and contradictory appeal of Borgerhout

We round up some of Borgerhout’s most involved and committed residents to consider the neighbourhood’s many different facets and discuss what makes it the hotbed of possibilities and potential it is today.

Behind the scenes of Lieven Segers’ unconventional studio

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

Brussels-based electronic producer Simon Hold on his latest 7″ release

From humble beginnings to high-fashion runways, the Ghent native talks candidly about the makings of his most recent Vlek release.

GOAT

Masks, headgear, Tintin and more masks. What happened when we handed Swedish outfit GOAT one of our throwaway cameras.

Cocaine Piss

Here's Liège queer-punk outfit Cocaine Piss acting all silly with one of our office throwaway cameras.

The throwaway project: Jonathan Meese

As throwaway adventures go, artist Jonathan Meese's one is pretty fucking bonkers.

M.E.A.N.

More backstage snap-happiness, this time courtesy of Antwerpers Middle Earth All Nighters

Ten things to do during Design September

What to eat, see, buy, visit and listen to during this year's edition of Design September, which opens tomorrow.

Backstage at Dour with Recorders

Inside Dour festival's artist village (sort of) with Recorders

Music: Interview with 10 Days Off’s Jeroen Delodder

He talks pop star DJs, ones to watch and choosing the lineup for one of the world's most progressive electronic music gigs.

The Throwaway project: The second best edition preview

The second best edition is out on Friday. An exclusive preview...

Great Mountain Fire

The Belgian electro-pop-rock stars go forth and do their thang, equipped with one of our famed little throwaway cameras...

The throwaway project: Design Miami with Victor Hunt

Build-up, beaches and Mustang backseats all feature in this latest palm tree-themed instalment of The throwaway project...

Fit to print

In a converted printing press we learn about the early days of Brussels' art activism and post-digital letterpresses.

The year’s three most infamous fashion industry cat fights

In the second installment of our best-of list fest, we look at the ballsiest and bitchiest fashion cat fights of 2012. Meee-ow...

MoMu director Kaat Debo on its first decade

Kaat Debo waxes fashionable about the first ten years of MoMu, Antwerp's prestigious fashion museum.

Fashion designer Christian Wijnants on his 20th collection and winning the Woolmark prize

Throwing a big party to celebrate winning the Woolmark prize is not really Christian Wijnants' thing, he's saving his energies for Paris next year.

New Build

Hot Chip- side project New Build has taken one of our disposable cameras on tour with them and produced this no-holds-barred gallery of everything from delighted fans to dinner tables.

Booka Shade, Brodinski and Alexander Waldron about the ultimate party

What makes a party memorable? Which sound system is the heaviest in the world? Which track is sure to get the crowds going? What is the planet's best club? We put these questions, and others, to some of the world's best DJs.

Some of the world’s best DJs about life in the DJ booth

We talked to Jimmy Edgar, Boys Noize, Fur Coat and many more about what life in the DJ lane feels like, what really makes a good party and which tracks always get the crowds going.

Inside the very serious business of Belgian beauty

Here’s our shoutout to the people behind Belgium’s parties for the pretty, from the Mister Belgium promoter to Belgium's Miss East Africa.

The best weightlifters in Belgium

Weightlifters are often (wrongly) perceived as steroid-hungry meatheads. Truth is, the discipline, resilience and mental strength needed to master this Olympic sport would make any other professional athlete run for cover.

Belgian interiors imprint Calcutta’s 165 years in the business

Belgian interiors company Calcutta has been around since 1848, making world-famous wall coverings. Here's a glimpse at the fascinating process.

Inside Brussels’ latest hotbed of design innovation Studio With A View

We dropped in on Studio With A View, an innovative artist hub that unites five designers, two photographers and an architect under one roof.

An interview with high fashion shop Smets’ buying director Pascaline Smets

Glamorous style heiress Pascaline Smets uses her role in the family business to bring a cosmopolitan edge to Brussels.

The craftsmen that are the backbone of Belgium’s design industry

It’s a well-known fact: behind every great designer lies a great craftsman. We've visited five specialised ateliers in Belgium to bring to the fore those that usually take a backseat.

A visit to upscaling design practice Atelier 4/5’s Brussels workshop

With a penchant for craft, these two architects by training have been making over furniture since 2009. As part of Design September's Open Doors, they're inviting us all in for a look around.

Open doors at Brussels’ design, architecture and film production hub L’Amicale

A bunch of seasoned Brussels designers of different stripes are throwing open the doors of their shared St. Gilles studio as part of Design September this weekend. Pleaseletmedesign's Damien Aresta tells us why we should visit L'Amicale.

An interview with hot and up-and-coming Brussels design practice Hopop Studio

These two architecture graduates set up shop in Brussels' St. Gilles neighbourhood last September and they've been renovating, renewing and recycling furniture ever since. Their atelier, Hopop Studio, is open to the public for one weekend only.

Textile design practice No More Twist opens the doors to its Brussels studio

Brussels' design studios fling open their doors to the public this weekend as part of Design September. We've selected a few that are worth a visit. First stop: Brussels textile design team No More Twist.

Brazilian design celebrated at stunning Brussels venue Ampersand House

We made ourselves at home at Ampersand's very homely gallery to contemplate the Brazilian Modern exhibition, an insightful showcase of Brazilian furniture worthy of extra special attention this Design September.

Graphic design exhibition Eat symbols opens at Pimpinelle in Brussels

We paid a visit to Rue de Flandre's Pimpinelle, a unique concept store that will play host to its very first art exhibition this weekend as part of Design September. We found a unique cooking class replete with graphics and sound.

Sylvain Willenz’s Glassworks exhibition opens at design dealer Victor Hunt in Brussels

Probably the most exciting glass-based design expo you're likely to see in a while, we got a sneak preview of local boy Sylvain Willenz's tables and vases at Victor Hunt in the lead up to Design September.

A wide-eyed interview with homegrown up-and-coming artist Gideon Kiefer

We're bringing our art special to a close with a conversation with Belgian artist Gideon Kiefer about his new Indian adventure, nightly terrors and ego's place in the life and death of an artist.

Canadian fashion designer David Szeto

Yes, you can build a successful career as a designer without the usual exposure. In an atelier in Saint-Gilles, we catch up with David Szeto, one of fashion's best kept secrets.

The inner workings of Belgian artist Caroline Coolen’s studio

A final nose around the inspiring interiors of Belgium's artist spaces with a visit to visual artist Caroline Coolen's studio.

Inside artist Sara Bjarland’s Ghent studio

Finnish artist Sara Bjarland has set up a temporary digs in Ghent's HISK, which we took as our cue to have a nose around at her nature-inspired work...

The best new faces in Belgian fashion

With the new fashion season upon us, we review agencies' books, sifting through their pages for the new faces of tomorrow.

A walk around up-and-coming Belgian painter Matthieu Ronsse’s house-come-studio

We visit Matthieu Ronsse's studio, which also doubles up as his home to discover this promising artist's eclectic and fascinating body of work.

Inside Ghent-based Belgian artist Sofie Muller’s studio

The next instalment in our peeping tom series on artists' studios, we let ourselves in to Ghent-based Sofie Muller's workspace.

A conversation with artist Sophie Kuijken

We sit down with Belgian painter Sophie Kuijken to talk about random internet searches, escaping artistic trends and painting people.

The role of death and depression in photographer Anne De Gelas’ work

In a frank conversation about death, legacies and the trials and tribulations of life, photographer Anne De Gelas opens up to reveal a little more about her work.

Inside Brussels painter Karen Vermeren’s studio

In part three of our series on artists' spaces, we pay a visit to Brussels-based painter Karen Vermeren's studio.

Tom Liekens

In our second studio visit of the month, we drop in on Belgian painter Tom Liekens, who let us into his Antwerp studio for an exclusive peak around.

An interview with Belgian painting prodigy Rinus Van de Velde

We sit down with Belgian artist Rinus Van de Velde to talk about his working process, living in a fake reality and why the world doesn’t really need art.

Inside the studio of Belgian painting royalty Sam Dillemans

We continue this month's art special by dropping in on Belgian painter Sam Dillemans in his studio.

A conversation with Antwerp fashion designer Jan-Jan Van Essche

We sit down with menswear designer Jan-Jan Van Essche to talk about the pleasure of comfort, putting seasonal cycles aside and why less is always more.

An interview with Berlin rap outfit Puppetmastaz at Dour

We tried to interview Berlin's Puppetmastaz in Dour's press tent last weekend but all our grown-up questions got drowned out in expletives and absurdity. But that's what you get when you interview soft toys.

An interview with French indie rockers Stuck in the Sound at Dour

We got stuck in the mud with Stuck in the Sound at Dour last weekend, a bunch of DIY-minded Paris rockers in the midst of their second foray into Belgium this year. Nice lads.

Visionary Paris-based Belgian designer Bruno Pieters on sustainable fashion

Graced with an interview with designer Bruno Pieters, we discuss 'Honest by.', a new concept that focuses on high-end, sustainable clothing. Transparency is the new black.

Poliça at Dour

The charming Channy Leaneagh of Poliça loves festivals, hates porta-loos. Her band, a favourite of Bon Iver, were born of the Minneapolis music scene and she was with the Word at Dour to tell us about it.

Dour

Knee deep in dirt, our own Joke De Wilde went down to Dour festival at the weekend to capture all the fun on film.

Backstage at Dour

Get a load of our backstage polaroid adventures at Belgium's premiere field fiesta at the weekend: the legendary Dour, now in its 24th year.

BRNS at Les Ardentes

Four young Belgian lads who go by the name of BRNS are currently braving their very first summer festival season. We caught up with them at Les Ardentes at the weekend and pestered them with questions.

Reeling in the years

Martin Scorsese called it one of the most important film collections in the world: We profile Belgium's Royal Film Archive.

Pablo Henrard

Pablo Henrard, a talented fashion student we spotted last year, opens up to fill us in on his 4th year womenswear collection, getting the girls for his last show and interning with the "family" at Gaultier Couture in Paris.

Photographers…and everyone around them

Photographers need a whole team of specialists behind them, from framers and printers to airbrushers. In a bid to shine a light on those professions essential to the photographic process, we profile four of these artisans.

The middleman

We sat down with Marc Gysemans to talk about his collaboration with industry darling Raf Simons and his profession as a producer in general.

Man vs. machine

Saturo Toma, Michel Mazzoni and Frederik Heyman talk about their weapons of choice: We profile three Belgian photographers' cameras.

A taste for paradox

We sat down with Paris-based Belgian Kris Van Assche - who designs Dior menswear as well as his own line - to talk about his style, avoiding sartorial clichés and why having fun with clothes is so important.

Truck drivers

Belgium is an obligatory pit stop on most truckers’ itineraries. Here, we hitch a ride with some of the local boys, capturing the loneliness that comes with having chosen life on the road.

Christian Astuguevieille

On the eve of one of his biggest auctions in Belgium, we chatted to French wunderkind Christian Astuguevieille about his relationship with Rei Kawakubo, his unusual career path and his contagious passion for tactile objects.

The best graffiti writers in Belgium

We hunted down six legendary Belgian graffiti writers, each with their own speciality, and got them talking about their nighttime obsessions.

When Patrick met Nigel

We sat down with Bellerose boss man Patrick van Heurck and British designer Nigel Cabourn to discuss the fruits of their first team-up, a sleek duffle coat for next season.

Welcome to the jungle

We invited a number of fashion experts including American style icon Diane Pernet to discuss the industry and what it takes for young designers to make it.

Fifteen questions to Caroline Van Hoek

Here's us chatting with Brussels-based gallery founder Caroline Van Hoek about her take on the artist-as-jewellery-maker, why she expanded her space upwards and talent-scouting.

Art Brussels with Aeroplastics gallery

Brussels-based gallery Aeroplastics continues our series of throwaway projects today. Kitted out with their very own plastic snap box for Art Brussels, here's their staff's behind-the-scenes diary at Belgium's biggest art fair.

Orange amps

We talked to three Belgian musicians about their 'thing' for Orange amps. One of them is Wallace Vanborns frontman Ian Clement, who made it onto the cover of our orange album.

Art Brussels with Bodson-Emelinckx gallery

As part of our Art Brussels coverage, we've craftily equipped three Belgian galleries with nifty little throwaway cameras for a behind the scenes gander at the country's biggest art fair. Today: Brussels-based Bodson-Emelinckx.

Xavier Hufkens

In the very last installment of our interview series with Belgian gallery owners, we have a chat with Brussels-based Xavier Hufkens about this year's Art Brussels gig and art fairs in general.

Rodolphe Janssen

Art is in the air in Brussels today as the city's big art bash kicks off. We had a sit down with gallery owner Rodolphe Janssen to speak about his show at the prestigious Art Brussels fair and his job as juror.

Tim Van Laere

This weekend sees Belgium's art event of the year roll into Brussels, and we've sat down to get the view from gallery owner Tim Van Laere on his upcoming show at Art Brussels.

Baronian Francey

In the second part of our ongoing interview series with Belgian gallery owners, we speak to Baronian Francey founder Albert Baronian about his plans for Art Brussels.

Alice Gallery

We kick off a week of Art Brussels coverage with an interview with Alice van den Abeele and Raphaël Cruyt, the creative geniuses behind Brussels' Alice Gallery.

New Build

Brit band New Build partake in a bit of a Word-exclusive Q&A about constant references to Hot Chip (which they don't mind), their tour, and a brand new album.

The best new female models in Belgian fashion

We've selected our favourite Belgian cover boys and girls for spring, eight fashion forward faces that'll soon be gracing a glossy cover near you, if not already. Here's the ladies.

Decap organs

Decap organs have been a family business since 1902, even though they look more like something from Bladerunner. We found an Antwerp producer who's equipped this old-timer organ with a midi interface, bringing it to life again.

Casiokids

The Word's throwaway project whisks you backstage for a peek at Norway's Casiokids doing their thang on their latest tour.

New name, new game

We're talking band re-baptisms as part of our series on new beginnings, with Belgian musos The Glimmers, MonkeyRobot, New Bleeders and BRNS on why they did it and how it changed things (or not).

M O N E Y

After their gig in Paris' Point Ephémère last month, M O N E Y, Mancunian band on their way up, strip down naked for our throwaway project. Literally.

Sei A

We sat down with Scottish producer Sei A AKA Andy Graham in London to talk about his music and how moving to the big smoke has affected it.

Fifteen questions to Alice Knackfuss

We talk to the designer about feminism, the "freedom" of menswear and why she ultimately refuses to believe in fast fashion.