Art in Antwerp
Even though I have left my hometown more than 20 years ago, and have no intention of ever moving back, I do enjoy the occasional visit.
Antwerp, always known for its hospitality, good food and drink, has over the years become a destination for Art and Design. We are all familiar with the Antwerp Six in fashion, but now the town has some world class galleries and museums as well.
Galleries tend to concentrate around a neighborhood called Het Zuid, where also the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is located. The noeclassical building was designed by Jacob Winders (1849–1936) and Frans van Dijk (1853-1839), and the paintings and sculptures are an extraordinary representation of the Lowlands art scene from the 15th to the 20th century. Unfortunately the museum is currently closed for renovations until 2017.
The district Het Zuid, which was less than desirable when I was living in Antwerp, is now one of the most bustling areas in the city. There are many high quality galleries to visit, but I wish to single out Tim Van Laere Gallery, established in 1997 and representing an impressive stable of contemporary artists. The gallery plays on a very international field, and participate in various art fairs.
It is worth noting though that, much like in my current adopted hometown, artist and dealers continuously look for the new thing (and area), and one of the gallery pioneers of Het Zuid, Frank Demaegd, moved his Zeno X gallery seriously off the beaten track to Borgerhout.
Pretty much on the other side of the center of Antwerp, in a district called ‘t Eilandje, the Museum Aan de Stroom opened in 2011. It is an impressive structure, designed by Neutelings Riedijck Artchitects, and houses a vast array of objects covering many topics, including the largest collection of pieces about the history of the Port of Antwerp.
The museum is very family friendly, with several interactive spaces for the younger ones.
MAS Visit
Besides the gallery spaces to visit, make sure you take time for a meal. You can go top of the line upstairs at ‘t ZILTE, a Michelin starred locale for fine dining. Downstairs, and with a great terrace overlooking the marina, stop by café STORM. The menu is good quality casual and the pastries, including the cupcakes are worth the calories.
So, whether you live in Antwerp or pass through for a visit, make sure you insert some culture in your planning. For those in need of a comfortable place to stay, I recommend Hotel Julien, which provides a quiet and creative atmosphere and on a nice day (no comments please) is in walking distance of all the spots mentioned in this post.
Bon voyage.
