Art & Culture

Collectible’s Founders Share 8 Must-Visit Stops in Brussels

Here’s what else to see when you’re in town for the March 5–8 design fair, according to Clélie Debehault and Liv Vaisberg

By Galerie editors

March 4, 2020

Contemporary art installation with colorful wall art and sculptures in a brightly lit modern gallery space. — At P.O.C., Galila Barzilaï-Hollander’s private collection of contemporary art is presented in a former industrial space reimagined by architect Bruno Corbisier. Photo: Courtesy of P.O.C

Modern interior with a spiral staircase, unique sculptures, wall art, and a black chair on a concrete floor. — Galila Barzilaï-Hollander’s private collection of contemporary art at P.O.C. Courtesy of P.O.C

1. Private Art Museum P.O.C.

P.O.C. is Galila Barzilaï-Hollander’s private museum, which was previewed during Collectible last year. An intuitive, eclectic, and expansive collection of several thousand works, P.O.C. (which stands for Passion, Obsession, Collection) showcases Barzilaï-Hollander’s finds, often gathered around themes. As it is not open to the public, visitations are arranged through preregistered group tours.

Modern white building with large windows, featuring curved lines, set against a clear sky, blending contemporary and classic architecture. — Exterior of Atelier Jespers. Courtesy of Atelier Jespers

2. Atelier Jespers

Located in a modernist building created in 1928 by Belgian architect Victor Bourgeois, Atelier Jespers is an ambiguous space that combines a private residence, studio, and an art center that hosts exhibitions curated by Jean-François Declercq.

Industrial art installation with suspended tables, coral sculpture, and views of urban buildings through large windows. — Plastic artist Elsa Guillaume’s “Slices” exhibition at Eleven Steens in 2019. Courtesy of Eleven Steens

3. Eleven Steens Art and Design Center

Launched last year during Collectible, Eleven Steens is an art and design center founded by collector Serge Carrasco. The building, formerly owned by the Belgian national electricity company, is a great exhibition space featuring shows by emerging artists and designers. On the top floor, you can ask to see the “collector’s apartment” with pieces from the owner’s personal collection.

Colorful outdoor staircase at ADAM Brussels Design Museum against a glass facade and trees under a blue sky. — Entrance to the Adam Brussels Design Museum. Courtesy of ADAM Brussels Design Museum

4. Adam Brussels Design Museum

Adam, situated next to the emblematic Atomium, is a museum that hosts exciting exhibitions, like the current show “Standing Stones” from studio Objects of Common Interest cofounders Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis as well as a collection of more than 2,000 design pieces made from plastic.

Eclectic indoor space with plants, wicker chairs, sofas, rustic brick walls, large windows, and a wooden ceiling. — Inside Ateliers Zaventem. Courtesy of Ateliers Zaventem

5. Ateliers Zaventem

Ateliers Zaventem is a very special place, right outside Brussels. Initiated by Lionel Jadot, who renovated an old printing factory, the space is home to dozens of designers who work in studios with transparent doors, allowing everyone to see what the others are doing, help each other, and collaborate.

Modern cafe interior with unique patterned curtains, sleek furniture, and decorative mirrors creating a stylish ambiance. — Dining area of Café Victor. Frederik Vercruysse

6. Café Victor

We love the Café Victor at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, especially the nook behind the Valérie Mannaerts curtains. Victor is where we hold meetings, interviews, and brainstorming sessions, and being part of the Bozar art center, it’s also a great opportunity to pop in for a show or a little concert.

People walking inside a grand, ornate shopping arcade with a glass roof and elegant architectural details. — Hotel des Galeries is located within the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

7. Hotel des Galeries

Hotel des Galeries is a lovely little hotel nestled under the magnificent vaults and windows of the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert. Not only does it have incredible design, the hotel is only a few steps away from the Vanderborght building, where Collectible takes place.

Exterior view of a charming bookstore with large display windows showcasing a variety of books. — Exterior of Peinture Fraîche. Courtesy of Peinture Fraiche

8. Peinture Fraîche Bookstore

Peinture Fraîche is a particularly good bookshop that specializes in art, architecture, and design. It has a beautiful façade and an exquisite selection.

Collectible runs March 5 to 8 at the Vanderborght building in Brussels.