Europalia.Brazil and Literary Enlightment

First of all, the hiatus in my blog postings is primarily due to a practical reason. – And I know, it’s an excuse ...

More than a month ago my laptop (= my access to the world) has been stolen ... a terrible thing... Have to buy a new one. In the meantime, got to use a computer temporarily, so to help me out.

Back to my “musings”... finally!

In these dark wintery days, I can luckily escape to many art and cultural events in town. There are plenty organized for “Europalia.Brazil”, a prestigious biennial festival, putting Brazilian culture in the spotlight. Highlights are the exhibits “Brazil.Brasil” & “Art in Brazil” at the Brussels “cultural palace” BOZAR; and a photography show in BIP (Brussels Information Point) “Building Brasilia”. This exhibition offers a wide view of the period of Brasilia’s construction, with a special emphasis on the architectural pieces by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer

Another powerful photo exhibit I visited was “Urban Survivors”, on the harsh, miserable life in the slums, organized by Doctors without Borders ... definitely one with a firm social statement.

Switch to another art form. A literary highlight last week was a lunchtime reading by the multi-award winning Irish writer Glenn Patterson. He read and talked so passionate about his work that I got so inspired, as to pick up my blog!

 

Night of the “Zoute” and Christo

After the previous very successful weekend at the sea, in Oostende, for a theatrical and culinary treat, the seaside was calling again on the eve of my birthday. Destination: the rather mundane town Knokke, for the “Night of the Zoute”.

At this summer happening, all chic designer stores on the Ocean Avenue stay open late and welcome visitors to nice tunes and … champagne.

More over, I was a sunny afternoon so I enjoyed the beach and a revitalizing swim in the ocean. Then my friend Erika joined me for a stroll along the avenue, for some “people watching” while sipping champagne. Remarkable that quite some men were wearing red pants! Typical for Knokke?

Many well-known art galleries were also participating in the nocturne. An absolute hit was the opening of Christo’s “Over the River” at Guy Pieters: an impressive exhibition of designs of Christo’s next project for the Arkansas River. Christo plans (in 2014) to suspend 5.9 miles of silvery, luminous fabric panels high above the Arkansas River along a 42-mile stretch of the river between Salida and Cañon City in south-central Colorado. Even the master of landscape art himself was present, signing catalogs.

I couldn’t resist of having my picture taken with him, my highlight of a wonderful evening!

Photo courtesy (c) Donald Woodrow

Summery Spring

It’s hard to believe that 1 year ago I was packing up my studio in Venice Beach … Wow, time has flown! One of the hardest thing I miss here in Brussels are the beach and the ocean; I’ve only seen the sea twice since my stay here and that is way not enough for the ocean lover I am! But we were treated by a most wonderful summery, sunny, and warm spring – one of the best in years – so that made up. I got reinvigorated!

Add on the lively cultural scene here, with plenty of interesting (some even free) events, outstanding galleries with international allure showing quality contemporary art, its art openings, even met new contacts there … all cool things to nurture my creative soul. Last Wednesday I mingled among oriental and tribal art collectors attending the “Boa Fair” at the classy, high end Place du Sablon, sipping expensive champagne over good conversation!

In the local town paper Metro a semi-touristy article on Los Angeles, entitled “The Splendid Ugliness of the City of Angels” caught my eye. Even though not going very in-depth (which was also not its purpose), it touched quite accurate on some of the city’s double-sided aspects … it resonated very much … even elicited a smile on my face!

From VillaVif to a French Romance

It was a true pleasure to see my friend Genevieve aka VillaVif performing at the Beursschouwburg a few nights ago with her small and vibrant band. Her persona – mystery sexy gogo girl in a golden-laced kimono – fascinated the minute she took stage. A contemporary dancer, Vif masters the stage. With her nasal, broken voice, resembling one of a cabaret singer, she brings us very personal songs, using ambiguous texts. Balancing between subtle moods and deep emotions, I sense some Patti Smith, Marianne Faitfull, and even Marlene Dietrich, while always carry on her own self. Ending in sublime beauty with a tender song about her son …”I get love because love makes me strong” … truth revealing… Fabulous VillaVif!

A total different genre of music I experienced on Friday night at the Flagey where I attended “Une Romance Francaise” (a French Romance), a program of French “romantic” inspired classical music by the Brussels Philharmonic. Under the frivolous direction of Herve Niquet, the orchestra played excerpts of Bizet’s Carmen, the Symhonie romantique in e mineur by the kinda rebellious composer Victorin Joncieres. After the break, the “Vlaams Radio Orchestra” were accompanied by three strong vocalists to perform Gustave Charpentier’s Didon. I must admit, it’s been years since I’ve been to a classical concert but I did enjoy and went joyously with the differential musical flows.

Museum Night Fever at La Monnaie

Last Saturday, Museum Night Fever offered a rare opportunity to escape the (last of) the wintry and dark days. 19 Brussels museums opened its doors (almost) the whole night and offered guided tours, animations, music, dance, performances, in collaboration with students of numerous artistic high schools.

Too many to visit all (in the rain), so my favorite pick were the workshops (Ateliers) of the Royal Monnaie Theatre, a most prestigious opera house in Europe. Its workshops are one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Though not strictly to be considered a museum, but rather a very active creative part of an opera world. Would the unique journey (parcours) through its workspaces appear a source of inspiration (as the program announced)?

Indeed, it was, in the first place for the students of the Brussels school of Arts.

Figures disguised in black outfits and forehead masks, armed with I-pods playing excerpts from Mozart’s La Finta Giardiera, guided us – solely using “body language” through the various workshop spaces. Wardrobe, sewing, wood, metal and painting… unknown worlds of big-scale, hence creative activities opened up for me.

And everywhere young dancers (on of the them the daughter of good friend of mine) enhanced the de-mystifying experience with their fresh movement and dance creations. At the end we could watch parts of a rehearsal for Cosi Fan Tutti by singers of the famous music chapel Queen Elisabeth. An inspiring journey it was!

Belated New Year's Party

Belated New Year’s Party

One of the strange traditions here is that the New Year is celebrated throughout the entire month of January.

People visit friends and family over the weekend for a casual, semi-festive lunch or dinner … a great way to catch up.

Organizations and companies throwing receptions to give back to the community or to make its new year resolutions “public”.

Last Friday “De Markten”, a cultural centre (catering to mostly Flemish speaking folks) in the heart of Brussels, opened up its doors for a marvelous new year’s party. Of course, I had to be there.

After a warm welcome by the director Nora, I munched on hearty international and Belgian food prepared by members of the board of directors – more than heartwarming on a cold winter night.

Glad to hear other languages too. I ended up talking (in English and Dutch) with two young women, Shosha and Juliane – dancers - who are in the process of creating a new choreography and are rehearsing in De Markten. Looking forward to this piece of these “Body Talkers” (bodytalker.be). After all, isn’t dance a most wonderful way of communication?

Ending a nice evening to the swinging and cheering tunes of the European bluegrass band “Sons of Navarone” … alright, let’s dive into 2011!!!