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The Word Magazine

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made in Belgium

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The Export Edition

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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

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Art Portfolio reports
“My practice is one of astonishment that consists in opening images up.” How the work of Benoît Platéus makes you see what you weren’t supposed to

“My practice is one of astonishment that consists in opening images up.” How the work of Benoît Platéus makes you see what you weren’t supposed to

We speak to Benoît Platéus about his versatile artistic practice, the role accidents and imperfections play in his work and his laser-like focus on the myriads of possibilities inherent in imagery.

Art Portfolio reports
Forlorn photography and brutalist structures: Max Kesteloot’s House Van Wassenhove residency

Forlorn photography and brutalist structures: Max Kesteloot’s House Van Wassenhove residency

As part of the contemporary art centre's Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens residency programme, we visit Max Kesteloot in the comfort of his new address to discuss his artistic practice and how to inhabit House Van Wassenhove.

Art Studio visits
Inside the studio of Antwerp-based artist Nel Aerts

Inside the studio of Antwerp-based artist Nel Aerts

We capture Nel Aerts in the serenity of her studio space, amongst pieces that you may be able to catch at M HKA's current group exhibition Salon de Peinture.

Art Portfolio reports
“My paintings are like an interior.” The geometric art of Léon Wuidar

“My paintings are like an interior.” The geometric art of Léon Wuidar

Liège-born and -based painter Léon Wuidar celebrated his 80th birthday this summer. With two shows in Brussels this September, the public has been spoilt rotten with opportunities to discover his wonderful paintings.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Studio visits
Inside Michèle Matyn’s private sanctuary

Inside Michèle Matyn’s private sanctuary

Photographer Joke De Wilde headed to the Antwerp-based artist's atelier, delving deeper into the intricate mosaic that is Matyn's practice.

Art Studio visits
Inside Tom Poelmans’ Berchem studio

Inside Tom Poelmans’ Berchem studio

Step inside the Antwerp-based painter's tiny, light-flooded studio.

Art Studio visits
Inside Nadia Naveau’s Antwerp studio

Inside Nadia Naveau’s Antwerp studio

In a new series of studio visits, photographer Joke De Wilde headed to the Antwerp-based artist's spacious, light-flooded Antwerp studio to capture and document the inner workings of her practice.

Art Studio visits
Six spaces for emerging art in Antwerp

Six spaces for emerging art in Antwerp

Some of the diamond city's finest places for exciting art.

Art Studio visits
Brussels-based artist Etienne Courtois’ studio space

Brussels-based artist Etienne Courtois’ studio space

We take a look around Brussels-based artist Etienne Courtois' natural light-filled studio.

Art Studio visits
Inside artist Tim Onderbeke’s Ghent studio

Inside artist Tim Onderbeke’s Ghent studio

We talk space, suitability and sunlight with the Ghent-based artist.

Art Studio visits
Opening tonight: Parallax Scrolling group show

Opening tonight: Parallax Scrolling group show

A group show presenting the works of six upstart Brussels-based artists.

Art Studio visits
Preview: an interview with Belgian photographer Julie Calbert

Preview: an interview with Belgian photographer Julie Calbert

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the revamped Word magazine is almost here. A tantalising teaser of what's in store...

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

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.

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

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.

Art Studio visits
The inner workings of Belgian artist Caroline Coolen’s studio

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.

Art Studio visits
Inside artist Sara Bjarland’s Ghent 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...

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

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.

Art Studio visits
Inside Ghent-based Belgian artist Sofie Muller’s studio

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.

Art Studio visits
Inside Brussels painter Karen Vermeren’s studio

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.

Art Studio visits
Tom Liekens

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.

Art Studio visits
Inside the studio of Belgian painting royalty Sam Dillemans

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.

Art Studio visits
Open door policy: Studio Simple

Open door policy: Studio Simple

Meet designers Ann Vereecken and Jeroen Worst from Ghent-based design practice Studio Simple in part three of our series on Belgian design studios.

Art Studio visits
Open door policy: Inside Raphael Charles’ studio

Open door policy: Inside Raphael Charles’ studio

In part two of our feature on designers' studios, we visit Brussels-based Raphael Charles.

Art Studio visits
Open door policy: Inside Maarten Deceulaer’s studio

Open door policy: Inside Maarten Deceulaer’s studio

We visit the studios of Belgium's leading designers - Maarten Deceulaer, Raphael Charles, Studio Simple, Tom Mares and Atelier 4/5 - to find out what, exactly, really happens behind closed doors.

Art Studio visits
The Word magazine

Studio show: Matthew Crasner and Christine Philipp

Galleries and museums are all fine, but they can sometimes be rather bland and impersonal affairs. You know, white walls, empty spaces and an overall sense of detachment from the actual art on show. That’s why we like studio shows so much. They immerse you in the artist’s world, draw you in and impregnate you […]

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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