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Gothic Brussels! Avantgarde art galleries in Belgium: Maison Particuliere, coffin Goth metal bar.

goth christmas tree, decoration

It’s almost the holidays, and I’m winding down my travels for the year. While in Hong Kong this month, I snapped some photos in front of a cute Xmas tree and decorations.

goth christmas decor, style

I’ve had so many work trips this year that it’s been hard to catch up on blogging. There’s a lot from Asia to come (Hong Kong, Myanmar, Japan).

But before Christmas comes around, it feels right to release my final post from Brussels — one of my favorite destinations of 2016.

private art centre Brussels, library

If you Brussels is a boring city — then I have a feeling this story will change your mind.

“Bruxelles” is currently one of the best places in Europe to be a young artist. There’s a huge number of new galleries and fairs here, which are open to emerging artists. These experimental attitudes and relatively low rents have resulted in a vibrant scene (remember the David Bowie mural I wrote about?)

Not convinced? Then let’s start with a visit to a fetish art exhibit!

Maison Particulière art gallery brussels

Visit Belgium introduced us to Maison Particulière, and it turned out to be one of the best exhibits I’ve seen in a long time. (Address: Rue du Châtelain 49, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium)

This unconventional space is a private townhouse originally built in 1880. Nothing is for sale, but anyone can walk in and appreciate the works without fees. Maison Particuliere encourages you to pick up a book, curl up on one of the seats, and enjoy the displays for as long as you wish.

edgy fetish art exhibition

The exhibits are constantly changing, and pertain to a theme. With S&M birdhouses, silicone labias and Thai ladyboys… I’d say this “ta.bu” curation lives up to its name!

(I’m wearing a velvet dress by Alice’s Pig, a London vintage-inspired brand. You can purchase it directly from me from my wardrobe sale.)

taxidermy deer sculpture

Everything — from Mapplethorpe nude photographs, to scandalous taxidermy — reflected on the idea of taboo.

“Banned, proscribed, prohibited, censored, feared, dreaded, transgressed, trespassed… Taboos are inherent to society and to mankind. No matter what they are, taboos are invariably rooted in the fear of danger.”

Maison particulière weird bizarre art

The idea of Taboo was expressed in an impressive range of mediums. Age, disease, sexuality, sadomasochism and other “repulsive” subjects are brought to the forefront for discussion.

holocaust painting, concentration camp

Some of the works were unnerving, such as large-scale paintings that depicted the Holocaust.

crazy art galleries brussels

Others took a funny, pop culture approach. Quite the surprise to come across giant hanging boobs, and a monkey fetus in a sack!

tattooed pig sculpture

I came across works that commented on body modifications, such as this tattooed pig. Maison Particuliere did an incredible job at facing these social dangers head-on, and left me with a lot of food for thought.

Galerie Daniel Templon brussels art

Onward, to a very different yet equally impressive environment. The St. Gilles district is home to many top galleries, including Galerie Daniel Templon (Address: Rue Veydt 13A, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium).

I was immediately captivated by the dream-world spun by Japan’s Chiharu Shiota. She covered the room in black cobwebs, hand-laced and knotted by hand. With this deceptively simple technique, she conjures up subconscious feelings: the past, dreams, anxieties.

Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota

Brussels is a magnet for the world’s most exciting contemporary artists. Perhaps you’ve heard of Chiharu Shiota from her massive display of keys, strung by red yarn, at the 2015 Venice Biennale. 

venice biennale artist japanese installation

She created this original installation in a single week. At the opening of “Sleeping is like Death”, her two assistants slept in hospital beds covered by dark spider webbing — uncanny, eerie, magnificent.

belgium optical art

I explored more of Brussels’ art scene with my local friend, Jérémie Venganza of Super Dragon Punch!!, a synthbit Industrial band.

We walked next door to the Op Art exhibition, called “Let’s Move” at La Patinoire Royale.

(I’m wearing a coat by Alice’s Pig.)

op art exhibit, galllery

We were dazzled by the eye-popping displays of kinetic art from 1955 to 1985. There were works from more than 30 artists, all of which tricked the mind into perceiving motion and dimensions. Once again, an offbeat and world-class collection — free for anyone to see.

pop art museum brussels

Our last stop was “Pop Art in Belgium,” a temporary collection at the ING Art Center. It brought together famous works from stars of the movement (Warhol, Lichtenstein, Rosenquist) — and even had a funny photo booth in the basement.

le cerceuil bar brussels

After all that astonishing modern art, it was time for a drink. Jeremie took me to a Gothic / metal bar, Le Cerceuil or “The Coffin.”(Address: Rue des Harengs 10-12, 1000 Bruxelles)

Le Cercueil burst into the city center in 1974, after the popularity of horror movie, “The Exorcist.” The decor lives up to its morbid names: Skulls and bones and death, oh my!

heavy metal bars europe

Inside the dive-y basement, we sat on couches next to ribcages and monster paintings. Metallica and other metal bands blasted from the speakers.

coffin shaped table, bar

Like a scene from The Rocky Horror Picture Show… the table are shaped like coffins, with skeletons inside!

brussels goth bars, clubs

The drink menu had a long list of gruesomely-named cocktails, like Sperm of the Devil and Piss of the Cadaver.

cerceuil coffin hard rock bar

We had a fabulously spooky time at Le Cerceuil. Highly recommended for those who like to hang out in cemeteries.

absinthe bar brussels belgium

Jeremie also recommended Floris Bar, nearby in the City Center. (Address: Impasse de la Fidélité 12, 1000 Bruxelles) I nicknamed it “Absinthe Heaven” because… well, this photo says it all.

Over 350 varieties of the Green Fairy, including  Belle Epoque, Die Grune, Fee Verte, Tabu. The environment is a little touristy, but the spectacular selection of absinth — served French-style, with flames — makes it worth the trip.

brussels hipster fashion art

Did I change your preconceptions of Brussels? I found out for myself that the modern art scene is edgy, and among the most vibrant in all of Europe. (Belgian photos by BorderlessMedia.)

PS – you can purchase this exact dress that I’m wearing on my Depop (browse all items here, and email gothiccarmina@gmail.com to buy directly from me). There’s also a similar velvet dress by Alice’s Pig available here, at a discount.

gothic christmas decorations, xmas tree

Got any Nightmare Before Xmas plans? Will you be traveling anywhere over the holiday season?

SHARE & COMMENT

22 Comments

  1. linafriedman
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 6:53 am | Permalink

    So Fashionable

  2. Tarryn
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 3:46 pm | Permalink

    best

  3. Clarice
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 3:46 pm | Permalink

    Very nice.
    Clarice

  4. Sbara
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm | Permalink

    The coffin bar 0.0 !!!!

  5. wim
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm | Permalink

    I have to… go there…

  6. u.e
    Posted December 16, 2016 at 3:51 pm | Permalink

    y are my favourite.

  7. Yans
    Posted December 17, 2016 at 8:25 pm | Permalink

    Merry Christmas.

  8. Danny
    Posted December 17, 2016 at 8:25 pm | Permalink

    I love this! Cheerio. Dan

  9. Francine Blogs
    Posted December 17, 2016 at 8:26 pm | Permalink

    I’m going to Brussels next year, I will stop by this gallery with the Taboo for sure now.

  10. Suz
    Posted December 17, 2016 at 10:08 pm | Permalink

    Belgium is a country I love – one of Europe’s most under-rated countries, and has always produced weird and amazing art!

    • lacarmina
      Posted December 19, 2016 at 6:47 pm | Permalink

      I was glad we went and saw this side of the city.

  11. Ian
    Posted December 18, 2016 at 12:24 am | Permalink

    Weird and wonderful art. Like Tim burton kinda.

  12. Cherry
    Posted December 18, 2016 at 12:24 am | Permalink

    Xmas cheers. ❤

  13. burkerabe
    Posted December 20, 2016 at 4:34 pm | Permalink

    So Beautiful

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