BIRTH DAY

Recently I visited the exhibition "BIRTH DAY" by the Belgian photographer Lieve Blancquaert. It is part of a big project - the round-the-world journey of a mother, photographer and journalist searching for the answer to the questions: ”Why do we bring children into the world today? What does it mean to be born in a particular place in the world? 

In each location Lieve stepped into a maternity ward and so literally into the life of the baby and its family, meeting the mothers during one of the most emotional events of their lives: the birth of their child. But she also talked with family members, visiting their homes, taking part in in festivals and rituals, travelling to special places and events that told her more about the culture in which the child will grow up.

Lieve Blancquaert worked two years on this project, visiting 14 locations around the world. A mix of rich and poor, and of cultures, religions and communities. We see enormous differences: from very primitive conditions due to extreme poverty (i.e. in Africa) to mega-rich Kuweit, where the newly mother is treated as a princess in her 5 star hotel/hospital room …

Aside from a unique selection of large format photos, she also captures the diverse and amazing stories into a documentary series for television. Some excerpts shown at the exhibition were very captivating. 

Most compelling was the harsh situation of some families in my own city, Brussels. Families with (little) children living in extreme poverty, in an unhygienic, unsafe, squat. Unbelievable this exists in a so-called western welfare state!

Even more poignant is the fact that this building have been evacuated a couple of days ago by police force in a coarse way … putting (some illegal) people on the street and families in temporary transition housing … just when winter is around the corner.

Beauty of the photos next to harsh reality … life is unfair ...

FLOWER CARPET

For 5 days last week the Brussels' Grand Place was covered by a gorgeous flower carpet. This bi-annual event has been a summer highlight since 1971. 

To create the 80 metres long carpet,An army of 120 volunteers spended 48 hours installing hundreds of thousands of begonias, cultivated in Ghent. The theme of this year's edition was Africa, so there were extra elements, such as bards, sands and precious materials imported for the occasion.

I was lucky to get invited on the inaugural night where I could view the evening spectacle from the balcony of the historical City Hall. Aside form a stunning aerial perspective, there was a wonderful light and sound , a live musical act by the Belgian-African band MIxtuur, and fireworks as the climax of the opening event. Very impressive!

Thousands of tourists came for a look at the marvel. Since it were extraordinary hot summer days, the terraces and restaurants on the Grand Place did extra good business!

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!