Paths Towards Modernity III

A fictive documentary in art and fashion.

1. Walter van Beirendonck Spring/Summer 2014
2. Isa Genzken Bouquet, 2004
3. Isa Genzken Mutter Mit Kind, 2004
4. Isa Genzken Oil (Detail), 2007
5. Walter van Beirendonck Fall/Winter 2013
6. Walter van Beirendonck Fall/Winter 2009
7. Isa Genzken MLR, 1992
8. Isa Genzken Schauspieler, 2013
9. Nick Knight Dream The World Awake, 2011
10. W&LT Fall/Winter 2009
11. Isa Genzken Schauspieler, 2013
12. Isa Genzken Installation view, 2012
13. Walter van Beirendonck Fall/Winter 2012
14. Isa Genzken Fuck The Bauhaus, 2000
15. Walter van Beirendonck The Sequel, 2009
16. Walter van Beirendonck Spring/Summer 2008
17. Isa Genzken Installation view, 2012
18. Isa Genzken Mona Isa X (Gold), 2010
19. Walter van Beirendonck Fall/Winter 2013
20. Isa Genzken Schauspieler, 2013
21. Walter van Beirendonck Spring/Summer 2009
22. Walter van Beirendonck Landed-Geland Part I, 2001
23. Isa Genzken Ohr, 1980

Cardboard, plastic, mirror, spray-paint, acrylic, metal, textile ribbons, light ropes, mirror foil, colour print on paper, MDF and casters. Materials that constitute the fashion collections and art installations of Walter van Beirendonck and Isa Genzken. Glitter foil and foam structures are their totems of popular culture, stacked on top of each other.

Rather than propelling a material-ist approach of 'readymades', the works function as allegories. The matter's value is absolutely neclected and the singular parts taken out of their original purpose and meaningfulness. By re-combining this 'material', Beirendonck and Genzken create new bodies, structures and machines that are abstract and futurist in form but reminiscent of everyday, well-known ideas and domestic objects.

The end result is a 'transformational cluster' of non-related parts that are forced or molded into a new grouping. Similar to child play or alchemist experiment, both figures follow the human urge to explore the principle of cause and effect. A 'what-happens-if' working mode.
/HORST

Antwerp Picks

A concise guide through the city that almost sleeps - had it not been for the Antwerp Six who called this city 'home' and sparked an avantgarde awakening beyond all borders and within the world of fashion.

Best Shop
Ann Demeulemeester
Leopold de Waelplaats

The first floor, a white open space with wooden floors, reminds of an art gallery - long dresses suspended from the ceiling. Following a narrow staircase, the upper level is divided into smaller segments and themes, accented by round black chaiselongues.

Best Restaurant
Renaissance
Nationalestraat 32

An almost clinical, minimalist space dominated by white marble, steel and glass. The kitchen itself is classic with experimental fusion twists and the menue offers a wide range of choices for lunch as well as dinner.

Best Bar
Vitrin
Marnixplaats 14

The triangular space is defined by raw wooden wall panels and an open-plan glass front that allows inside/outside views and nurtures the social atmosphere. A great spot for after-shopping drinks, preferably a glass of Kriek cherry beer.

Best Snack
Haute Frituur
Vlaamse Kaai 66

Fries, croquettes and other deep-fried delicacies are served in this stylish fast food bistro located at Klosterstraat - close to the numerous vintage furniture boutiques. Although the interior looks tasty, a calorie warning is mandatory.

Best Magazine Retail
IMS
Melkmarkt 17

For a collector of the monthly printed matter, this magazine shop holds all relevant international titles - shortly after their original release. Practical: a self-scan terminal displays the item price - ideal to synchronize one's budget.

Best Concept Store
RA
Kloosterstraat 13

RA begins where the Rupocalpse has ended. Visually as entertaining as the closet of a drag queen (exploded), the concept store offers a colourful mix of Japanese design, London graduate collections and conceptual accessories.

Best Shoe Boutique
Cocodrillo
Schuttershofstraat 8

Offering a small but careful selection of designer shoes, it is the first address on the hunt for key pieces from runway collections. Raf Simons, Prada, Balenciaga. The best of the best. Guests are kindly treated with complementary Belgian chocolate.

Best Hotel
Sir Plantin
Plantin en Moretuslei 136

A sinister, postmodern atmosphere with oversized Renaissance portraits printed directly onto the walls. Black hallways, dimmed lightning and bright pop colour rooms call for spending a night in this off-centre but noteworthy location.

Best Café
De Muze
Melkmarkt 15

One of the oldest Jazz cafés in Antwerp, the narrow brick wall building surprises with a multi-storey interior that allows multi-angular views on bar and guests. The outside seating in turn functions as great spot for people watching.

Best Museum
MoMu
Nationalestraat 28

The Belgian epicentre for fashion exhibitions on Walter van Beirendonck or Yohji Yamaoto that are eleborately enhanced with a strong technical point of view - and thus do not soley focus on the visual or seductive quality of clothing.

Best Book Shop
Copyright
Nationalestraat 28

Attached to MoMu, the shop offers a wide range of fashion related publications, alongside its strong focus on architecture and art. Here you will come across classic publications on the Belgian and Japanese avantgarde that might be sold out elsewhere.

Best Vintage Furniture
Viar
Kloosterstraat 65

Art nouveau and postmodern surrealism - the spacious furniture gallery offers beautiful plexiglass pieces, coffee tables and brass palm tree lamps at affordable prices. Theoretically, one could always leave with one new acquisition.

Post Paris XXIV

A false encyclopaedic guide to the Paris collections, presenting:
Veronique Branquinho Fall/Winter 2013

1. Veronique Branquinho Archive
2. Adriano Brusaferri Spindle tools used to calibrate organ pipes, 19th century
3. Satoshi Saikusa Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1993

Paris re-opens the chapter of False Encyclopaedia. And since Veronique Branquinho's last show was my first show, this is an appreciation post. Celebrating craft, sincerity and stringency. The colour beige, the bustier top and turtleneck, the Belgian rigor.
/HORST