City News
Gustavs Klucis, Dynamic City (1919), Latvian National Museum of Art
Brussels’ Centre for Fine Arts or BOZAR (Rue Ravenstein 23; bozar.be) has turned its spotlight on Latvia during the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which ends on July 1. Currently the centre is hosting two exhibitions with works by Latvian artists until the end of May. The first, titled Visionary Structures. From Johansons to Johansons, is showcasing the oeuvres of seven artists from seven generations in the 20th and 21st centuries, starting with Kārlis Johansons, continuing with Gustavs Klucis, Valdis Celms, Jānis Krievs, Artūrs Riņķis and Gints Gabrāns, and ending with contemporary modern artist Voldemārs Johansons. Also on view is The Limp of a Letter, a multidimensional visual exhibition by Oļa Vasiļeva that combines videos, sculptures, textiles, ceramics, drawings and found objects, and that explores the opaque relationship between thought, language, design and the production of objects.
Hôtel des Galeries. Photo: ©Yoann Stoeckel
Those who appreciate small, exclusive hotels that are destinations in themselves should book a stay at the recently opened Hôtel des Galeries (Beenhouwersstraat 38; hoteldesgaleries.be). Located close to a variety of antique shops in the affluent Sablon district, the hotel has only 23 rooms. The fancy 19th-century shopping arcade in which it is situated was built for King Leopold I and was once a popular hangout for such French intellectuals as Victor Hugo and Paul Verlaine. Designed by French architect and ceramist Camille Flammarion, the Hôtel des Galeries sports a tasteful interior that skilfully blends the romantism of the past with modern-day conveniences. The parquet floors and wooden shutters in the guest rooms, together with separate wardrobe spaces and other thoughtful additions impart a special personal feel that makes one’s sojourn all the more pleasant.
Pistolet Original. Photo: Frédéric Raevens
As you stroll among the antique shops and art galleries of Brussels’ Sablon district, it is worth stopping in for lunch at the new deli-café Pistolet Original (Rue Joseph Stevens 24-26; pistolet-original.be). The menu centres on classical Belgian sandwiches known as pistolets, which can be ordered with such ingredients as goat’s cheese, blood sausage, roast beef and marinated herring filets – all obtained from local producers. The interior is set in a playful and carefree old-school style, while the prices are surprisingly low for eateries in this upscale part of the Belgian capital.
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