In a city known for its quirky charm, The Container stands as a testament to Brussels’ embrace of the unconventional. This isn’t just any shipping container. It’s art, perched precariously on its corner in the middle of a roundabout on Boulevard Pachéco. The Container looks like it might topple over any second, defying gravity and expectations. This seemingly impossible balancing act is the work of Belgian artist Luc Deleu. He installed it in 2013, and it has been a conversation starter ever since. Some people find it ugly, an eyesore on the otherwise elegant boulevard. Others are captivated by its audacity, its challenge to traditional notions of art and public space. The city of Brussels clearly falls into the latter camp. In 2020, they purchased The Container for €70,000, preventing it from being relocated to Antwerp. This metal behemoth isn’t just a sculpture. It’s a symbol of Brussels’ willingness to embrace the unusual, to find beauty in the unexpected. The Container also speaks to the versatility of these ubiquitous steel boxes. They carry goods across the globe, and now, in Brussels, one carries the weight of artistic expression. It’s a reminder that art can be found anywhere, even in the most mundane of objects, if we just open our eyes to see it. So, next time you’re in Brussels, take a detour to Boulevard Pachéco. Witness The Container for yourself. Decide if it’s an eyesore or a masterpiece. Either way, it’s sure to leave an impression.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,