Brussels is shy

I'd like Brussels to show off - to dare and share. It's not as much a matter of taste as of dynamics.

Summary of the last century : we've had Art Nouveau before WWI, a little Art Déco and modernism before WWII, and that's about it. I guess the last time something interesting popped up must have been the Expo 58.

I like the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park in London : each year they commission an architect to design an open pavilion for the duration of the summer.

Due to delays in the 2007 project, a short-lived interim installation was brought up by Zaha Hadid and partner Patrick Schumacher in July - result : Lilas (pictures in the next post). I want that in Brussels!

There are I think four schools of architecture in Brussels *; can't we tap into their creativity?

On the better side, in the last few years, the Schuman roundabout has become the stage for various displays of art or citizenship projects by states holding the 6-months presidency of the EU. The Dutch even got Rem Koolhaas/OMA to contribute in 2004!

Serpentine Gallery pavilions
Zaha Hadid Architects
OMA, Europe exhibition

* La Cambre, Victor Horta/ULB, Saint-Luc, Sint-Lucas