I was slightly concerned about being in Bruges as it does have a reputation as tourist central. Actually in certain areas it is. Fortunately there are other parts to Bruges that are far more interesting than chocolate...chocolate...600 different beers...chocolate...lace...chocolate...churches and tour groups. I'm sure you get the picture. The town definitely has two distinct sections, the overtly pretty tourist centre and the more normal town around it. That is not to say the 'normal' town is not pretty it's just not on the bulk tourist route and has normal businesses that do not include ......chocolate.
Every three years Bruges hosts a sculpture triennial throughout the city. Pieces are in the streets, on/in the canals and in buildings. The theme this year is 'Liquid City'. Well I suppose they want a theme but really they are sculptures or installations sprinkled throughout the city.
Margaret inside a sculpture at Grootseminarie.
If you prefer the official stated aim of the Triennial, I quote '..... Not only water, but ideas also flow through the city. Zygmunt Beauman described today's society as a 'Liquid Society', as Liquid Time. Everything is in flux. Nothing is fixed. Everything is fluid. By means of this metaphor, he described the contemporary era as a time of transition. Old forms and thoughts flow past....' Make your own mind up.
A luxurious piece flowing from the altar.
The Triennial linked up with FRAC Centre-Val de Loire in France and borrowed various pieces as above. The others were created and/or commissioned for the Triennial. A very striking piece was the Bruges Whale made from plastic debris that floats in the oceans and was collected from a beach in Hawaii. The drama of this huge whale leaping out of the water at the end of this canal is definitely arresting.
The Bruges Whale by StudioKCA and Geoff.
It takes a full day by bike to visit all the locations and installations. Well worth it and requires a rest every so often.
Margaret taking a rest on 'The Floating Island' by the Korean architectural company OBBA.
Whilst there were some pieces that you thought 'whatever' overall it was excellent with great variety and energy in the installations. Well done Bruges.
2 comments:
Brilliant!
Very interesting works,, good pictures...and clever of you Geoff to have your Hawaiian shorts on in front of their debris installation!
Anne W
Love the whale.
Think there should be one on every waterway in the world. Would be a good use of plastic pollution.
Indeed well done Brugge.
Loving the blog as ever!
V xxx
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