The Word Magazine - The Lazy Issue

volume 02 — issue 01

Neighbourhood Life + Global Style

Do not throw on the public domain.

Belgium Living at Mum’s Lifestyle Asleep on the Job Fashion Wasted Days Design Sleep Keepers Culture Motel Coma + The Car Special

www.giorgioarmaniparfums.com

delvaux.com Brillant Black Edition – Box Calf, Glazed finish calf with square markings – 50 examples

EDITOR’S LETTER

THE FIRSTS

The Word Magazine Is Nicholas Lewis

The issue you are holding in your hands is a call to arms of sorts, a frustrated battle cry which spells GET UP STAND UP from the get-go.

Advertising Benoît Berben

Indeed, growing increasingly frustrated at the standardised editorials being pushed onto readers the world over around this period of time (cover headlines that read ‘10 tips on how to uphold your new year’s resolutions’ or, my personal favourite, ‘how to live off salad’) we thought it necessary to refresh preconceived blueprints and add our very own take on a post-New Year issue.

Editor-at-large Hettie Judah

Materialising in our Lazy Issue. Its overriding tone ? Sit back, relax, look around you and breathe. Relish doing nothing. Celebrate hours of idleness. It’s ok if you’re slightly overweight. Fat is good. Make mistakes. Don’t be perfect. Leave it ‘til tomorrow, procrastinating simply is too rewarding. Get to know your bed inside out. Take a minute. No wait, take two.

Design Delphine Dupont + pleaseletmedesign Photography/Illustration Geneviève Balasse Jean-Baptiste Biche Ulrike Biets Sarah Eechaut Opération Panda Rafael Ricoy Yassin Serghini Gaëlle Sutour

This isn’t to say we haven’t worked our arses off in bringing you our sleep-inducing issue. Firstly, as you’ll quickly notice, it comes with a new-and-improved layout and cover design, courtesy of our in-house taste makers. Secondly, it also includes the first instalment of a new section : The Specials - which will focus on one specific industry in each issue. For the Lazy Issue, we chose Cars.

The rest of the issue saw us, among other things, checking into a sleep clinic, discussing the double-edged sword that is advancements in internet technologies, planning for the long sleep with outrageously exquisite urns and berating the boredom of all-in-one, packaged holidays.

Writers Hettie Judah Nicholas Lewis Karen Van Godtsenhoven Jacques Moyersoen Randa Wazen

So there you have it. Enjoy the Lazy Issue, but don’t put too much effort into doing so.

From the depth of my bed, underneath the warmth of my duvet, head plunged into my pillow, I trust you’ll have a good start to the year and hope you’ll enjoy this feathered issue of ours…

Thank you's: Mélisande McBurnie Big-Game Muriel Bleus

Zzz, zzz and more zzz,

Nicholas Lewis

For Subscriptions (6 issues) € 18 (Belgium) Transfer € 30 (Europe) € 45 (Worldwide) To ACCOUNT N° 363-0257432-34 IBAN BE 68 3630 2574 3234 BIC BBRUBEBB

One last word : Sarah, Delphine, Pierre, Eléonore, Damien, Benoît, Hettie, Geraldine, Mario, Mélisande, Yassin, Alex, Randa, Karen, Genevieve, Ulrike, Jean-Biche, Seb, Séverine, this fi rst anniversary issue is for you and you only.

Thank you for this fi rst year. 2009 will be ours even more so than 2008 was.

For Syndication Like what you read ?

Our content is available for purchase.

Go online at www.jampublishing.com or call + 32 2 374 24 95 for more information.

© Sarah Eechaut

Stating your full name and address in the communication box.

On this cover Gerald Claes

The Word is published six times a year by JamPublishing, 107 Rue Général Henry Straat 1040 Brussels Belgium. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without prior permission is strictly prohibited.

All information is correct up to the time of going to press. The publishers cannot be held liable for any changes in this respect after this date.

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THE LAZY ISSUE

CONTENTS PAGE

01. The Firsts Cover Ad Ad Ad Editor's Letter Contents Page Ad Contributors Ad The Diary The Diary The Diary The Diary The Diary The Diary Ad

04. Fashion The Lazy Issue Armani Swatch Delvaux Volume 2 – N° o1 You're Looking at It Superdry It's A Word's World Magritte Museum Post-its Belgium Belgium & UK UK UK & France France Affordable Art Fair

p01 p02 p04 p06 p07 p08 p09 p10 p11 p12 p13 p15 p16 p17 p18 p19

Title Page Meet Tanguy All But Exclusive KVS The All-Inclusive Sofa Day Very Important Form to Complete Lazy Eyes Sunday-Lazy Belgium Mister Golden Key

p20 p21 p22 p23 p24 p25 p26 p30 p32

Tracksuits The Usual Suspects Aspria Bean Counters Count Sheep Frey Wille Web 3.0…

p34 p36 p39 p40 p43 p44

03. Lifestyle Three of the Best The Showstoppers Ad The Business Ad How Lazy You Are…

Living on Empty

p48

05. The Car Special Ad Cover Putting it to the Test Ad The Politics of …

The Teaching Design Design The Word On The Showstoppers

Peugeot The Car Special Driving Miss Daisy Café Modèle I'm Not Anti Cars…

Racing to Nowhere Cross-Town Traffic Supa-Dupa-Ficial Francorchamps Fast and Furious

p56 p57 p58 p61 p62 p63 p64 p65 p66 p68

Laid to Rest Amnesty

p70 p75

Easy Reading The Claimers Girlfriend, I'm in a TV Coma I Can't be Bothered Colophon What We're Listening to

p76 p78 p80 p86 p91 p92

The Word and Others We Love Tamarind Foods Round up The Cinematic Issue Baume & Mercier La Veuve Cliquot

p93 p94 p95 p96 p98 p99 p100

06. Design

02. Belgium The Lazy Papers The Lazy Papers The Lazy Papers Ad As Seen by Gaëlle Time Waster The Word On The Photo Album The Institution

Feature

Objects Ad

07. Culture Shelf Absorbed Pencil Perfect Eye Opener TW on the Street Ad Playlists

08. The Lasts Ad Stockists…

Ad Advertisers' What's Next Ad Ad

Our Inspiration The Big Lebowski, Homer Simpson’s Ass Crack, My Own Private Idaho, Tumble Weeds, Watching BBC World all day, Marlon Brando in his last days and Stubbles

www.superdry.be

10

THE GOOD-FOR-NOTHING ISSUE

It’s a Word’s World

CONTRIBUTORS

El Neoray

Rafael Ricoy

Illustrator ¤

Illustrator ¤

A discovery of Melisande's, El Neoray's simple-minded illustrations more than fi lled the brief when it came to our Car Special's fl ip book. Based out of Antwerp, Mr El Neoray's light pencil touch and subtle humour was exactly the kind of illustrative brilliance we were after to create our Pimp-my-Ride-influenced page-by-page sequence.

We instantly fell for Rafael's canny illustrative style when he emailed us about two months ago. An illustrator based in Spain, he has several commissions for the country's El Pais newspaper under his belt, as well as numerous other editorials.

For our Lazy Issue, we asked him to illustrate the schizophrenic world of Web 3.0.

—

—

Pages n° 53, 55, 57, 59,

Pages n° 44, 45

61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73

Collette Hutchinson Writer ¤

Collette and The Word go way back, and it was only a matter of time before her name reappeared on your illustrious magazine's pages. A freelance writer based out of London, she's our trusted correspondent for all happenings on the city's cultural circuit. For this issue, she delves into our Diary to bring you the best exhibitions the city has on offer.

— Pages n° 16, 17

Andrea Lenon Photographer ¤

Our newly-found fashion director Eleonore had been mentioning Andrea's work for quite a while now, and our Lazy Issue seemed like the perfect time to bring her in. An Irish fashion photographer living in Brussels, Andrea has shot for Vogue Bambino amongst many others.

For this issue, we asked her to apply her feminine, slightly rock and roll-ish, touch to our Fashion pages.

— Page n° 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55

opening: June 2009

Rue de la Régence 3 — 1000 Brussels www.musee-magritte-museum.be open: Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. nocturne: Wednesday until 8 p.m. closed: Mondays, January 1, 2nd Thursday of January, May 1, November 1 and 11, December 25 entrance fee: 8 | 5 | 2 €

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

For the use of L’Empire des Lumières, 1954 © Charly HERSCOVICI, with his kind authorization – c/o SABAM-ADAGP, 2008 For the decorative tarpaulin: © GDF SUEZ

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THE NODDING OFF ISSUE

THE DIARY

THE FIRSTS

13

The Next Few Weeks’ Agenda Fillers

Belgium ( 01 ¤ 10 )

Toygiants À Until 4th February 2009 ☞ Young Gallery, Brussels

www.younggalleryphoto.com

02.

Public Works

Ottmar Hörl is a ¤ public figure. First you had the 5000 garden gnomes on Munich's Max-Joseph place, then the 7000 hares disseminated on 2500 square meters in Nuremberg, the thousands of red and white bears dropped around Berlin and finally, the thousands of owls exhibited during Athens' Olympics.

The exhibition at Jonas Gallery brings together a little piece of each and every installation to date, allowing viewers to see the miniature sculptures featured in these public installations. One piece of work will, however, be on show for the first time in Belgium.

Entitled "Landmines, Broken Wings", it depicts a landmineridden field under the watchful eye of a troupe of black guardian angels.

Multiple Choice – Ottmar Hörl À Until 14th February 2009 ☞ Jonas Gallery, Brussels

www.jonasgallery.com

Patterson's work, ¤ greatly influenced by his mother's heroin addiction and his subsequent adoption by an African-American family, is imbued with tales of struggle. Politically-charged with an undercurrent of pessimistic observance, his drawings either depict small groups of activists of all types or larger-scale productions of intertwined cultural and political worlds.

Underlined by a heavy dose of symbolism, no civil rights injustice is left unturned under the fi rst-hand and unremitting zeal of this art militant.

01.

© Daniel & Geo Fuchs

Art as Artillery

02.

Michael Patterson – Carver À Until end of February 2009 ☞ Sorry We're Closed, Brussels

www.sorrywereclosed.com

04.

Mirror Mirror

After a series of ¤ outstanding presentations at various Biennales and other art fairs, Mark Manders' work has come full circle, with the artist's ability to translate his emotional being through autobiographical sculptures now a distinctive imprint on the international sculptural scene. His knack for occupying spaces through installations with an undertone of intimate nakedness often sucks the viewer into the body of work, enveloping him in Manders' symbolically-charged world.

The exhibition at S.M.A.K, presenting specially-created pieces as well as others from 1990 to 2007, gives a full-rounded view of Manders as he stands today.

03.

The Absence of Mark Manders À Until 22nd February 2009 ☞ S.M.A.K, Ghent

04.

© Werner Schenermann

They've touched ¤ every inch of popular culture, having defined the aesthetic of several past decades and being forever immortalised in countless TV series and Hollywood remakes. Yet, to the slight exception of some Japanese-leaning product designers, they've somehow been left out by the art world. With their new body of work, Daniel and Geo Fuchs rectify the shot, with full-blown prints of plastic toys presented in three sections : portraits, productions and setting up. Including plasticized Manga superstars, Tinseltown bad boys and even an outgoing US president, the exhibition provides pure eye candy, albeit with a slight populist tone.

03.

©Philippe D.

Go Figure

www.smak.be © Dirk Pauwels

01.

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THE LAZY 143 ISSUE

05.

05.

And Justice For All

© Yves Krieff

With established ¤ outposts in New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam and even Melbourne, the Affordable Art Fair (fi nally) reaches Brussels.

Bringing to town a heady mix of contemporary art galleries, the fair operates on a simple yet refreshing principle : to peddle art in between the € 1,000 and € 5,000 price range, allowing buyers to walk out with their purchases instantly. With its international counterparts achieving near sell-out status, sights are set high for the fair's fi rst time in Brussels. The art market being in a quasi-state of paralysis, we can only welcome this slightly more inclusive initiative.

© Julien-Pierre Buse & Anna Michalska

06.

Affordable Art Fair À From 12th until 15th February 2009 ☞ Tour & Taxis (Shed 1), Brussels

07.

Modern Meaning

Part of the Brus¤ sels Biennial Off-Program, the exhibition at CCNOA explores the multifaceted meaning of modernism, drawing on the works of artists who have made it their prerogative to go back to basics in order to reinvent, revisit and remodel. Divided in two parts, part one focuses on conceptual artists influenced by their contemporaries, whilst part two presents artists who have purposefully moved away from prevailing modernist beliefs. Playful yet loaded with artistic heritage, the work on display provides a welcome look at both sides of the story.

Yo, Mo' Modernism… À Until 2nd February 2009 ☞ Center for Contemporary Non-Objective Art, Brussels

www.ccnoa.org

www.affordableartfair.be 08.

06.

Grow Together

Eleven artists coming from all walks of life come together during the month of February to showcase their ephemeral collaborative work.

Comprising everything from installation artists, sculptors and painters, the collective-of-amonth unites around the looselyfitted theme Exponential. With office favourites Jordi Dolinckx and Anna Michalska also exhibiting, the showcase, held in Brussels' historically-charged Tour & Taxi, promises to be a (sometimes brutally) contrasting affair. ¤

© CCNOA

07.

08.

© Hannes Vanseveren

THE DIARY

Winking Man

Bridging the gap ¤ between reality and the imaginary, Hannes Vanseveren's work is characterised by an acute sense of his surroundings and his ability to infuse it with his reinterpretation of everyday items — from the chest of draws to the bathroom sink. One thing you can count on : his often furniture-based work will always keep you grinning. Be it his sideways-severed cupboard or his bench which somehow seems welded into its environment, his work oddly never feels out of place – though it defi nitely should.

EXPOnentiel À From 6th until 28 th February 2009 ☞ Tour & Taxis, Brussels

Hannes Vanseveren À From 11th January 2009 ☞ Hoet Bekaert, Ghent

www.tourtaxis.be

www.iets.be

THE NEXT FEW WEEKS' AGENDA FILLERS

THE FIRSTS

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United Kingdom ( 11 ¤ 18 ) Show Me Leiter

Although his ¤ initial intention upon arriving in New York in the 1940s had been to become a painter, Saul Leiter, to whom the exhibition at Antwerp's Gallery Fifty One is devoted, blossomed into an internationally-renowned photographer. Famed for his ability to capture those "nowyou-see-me-now-you-don't" moments, his poetic prints of urban happenings exude contradictory senses of urgency and calm. The second exhibition of his work put up by the gallery, this one will include his colour as well as his black & white work. Essential.

Saul Leiter À From 30 th January 2009 until 14th March 2009 ☞ Fifty One Fine Art Photography, Antwerp

09.

11.

Through the Window

Considered one of ¤ the most promising of the new generation of New York artists – together with Rian McGinley and Dash Snow – it is fair to say Dan Colen lives, rather than makes, art. His work is a reflection of his generation's rapidfi re ethics, an analysis of his surrounding environment's state.

The exhibition at London's Gagosian gallery is his fi rst in the UK, and is presented in three sequences, each showing a different facet of the artist's world.

Meaningful yet not intellectual, referential yet not historical, his paintings, photographs and thought-fi lled notebooks are elegant and magical.

© Saul Leiter

09.

10.

Dan Colen - An Allegory of Faith… À Until 7 th February 2009 ☞ Gagosian Gallery, London

www.gallery51.com

It's a Set Up

Erna Hecey's exhibition of Belgian photographer Laurie Simmons's work focuses for the most part on that for which she is most renowned, In and Around the House. Visionary when fi rst conceptualized in the late 1970s, it reflected upon prevailing stereotypes, whilst also drawing upon her own personal memories. Unashamedly feminine, her photographs reveal a dreamy world of prearranged fi xtures and fittings, set against a dissembled backdrop of dollhouses. Sometimes puerile, the prints offer an unadultured look into a seminal figure's very intimate aesthetic. ¤

12.

11.

© Dan Colen

10.

© Laurie Simmons

www.gagosian.com

12.

Testing the Beauty of Chance

André Tomkins was ¤ a man difficult to pin down, his work eschewing any conventional defi nition of art as we know it. The Swiss artist, reputed for his relentless innovative nature, produced a near-magical body of work – "Lackskins" - over the course of his 30 year career.

The works of art –lacquered layers of paint meticulously dripped onto the surface of water – are used as sensuous, free-flowing canvases. The technique, discovered in the mid 1950s, reveals the artist's fullblown trust in the unpredictability of chance. And he makes good use of it.

André Tomkins À Until 28 th February 200 ☞ Hauser & Wirth, London

www.ernahecey.com

www.hauserwirth.com

© André Tomkins

Laurie Simmons In and Around the House À Until 14th February 2009 ☞ Gallery Erna Hecey, Brussels

16

THE SLACKERS ISSUE

© Uzifake Zatshon Iinzipho

13.

14.

THE DIARY

13.

Textured Wizardry

For those who love ¤ textiles, colours and textures this show is a must. African artist Nicholas Hlobo's unique style of stitching and weaving together materials such as ribbon, rubber and leather to create tactile artworks fuses feminine techniques with more ‘masculine' materials. Linking the masculine with the feminine in this way, he challenges gender divisions, breaking down boundaries and bringing the two together. A life spent in post-Apartheid South Africa can be felt throughout Hlobo's works, not only defi ning himself but also conveying the hardships of his homeland and hopefully sparking social discussion. (CH)

© Terry Cryer

Nicholas Hlobo - Uhambo À Until 1st March 2009 ☞ Tate Modern, London

15.

Back in the Days

Surveying 1,000 ¤ years of history and incorporating over 300 objects taken from collections across Europe, the USA, Russia, Ukraine and Egypt (some never displayed in public before) this exhibition explores the long and intriguing history of Byzantine art documenting the patrons and artists of the time, the world they inhabited, the art they created and the intellectual, emotional and spiritual energies and thoughts of the time. Although the art they produced is visually and materially restrained, it is the product of passionate beliefs and emotions, and in no better way is this displayed than here. (CH) Byzantium 330-1453 À Until 22nd March 2009 ☞ Royal Academy, London

www.royalacademy.org.uk

www.tate.org.uk 16.

14.

15.

Feeling Blue

With images of BB King and Ella Fitzgerald, this exhibition documents a part of musical history as important today as it was then. With roots in the field hollers and work songs of slavery, blues evolved into a music still central to the identity of African Americans today. Includes iconic images by the very best Blues photographers including Herb Snitzer and Terry Cryer. (CH)

© ProcuratoriadiSanMarcoCameraphoto

¤

The Blues Anthology À Until 1st February 2009 ☞ Proud Camden, London

www.proud.co.uk

16.

In-Betweeners

The Work of a Master

This exhibition ¤ showcases the work of fashion designer Hussein Chalayan, currently Creative Director of PUMA. Well known for his groundbreaking use of materials, technology and innovative patterns, Chalayan deserves continued recognition for his creativity and experimental approach to fashion design. Using it as a medium to explore themes such as cultural identity and migration, he challenges what clothing means rather than viewing it simply as something to be worn.

With elements of architecture, science and more, Chalayan's work is unique, continually looking to the future. This show is a definite ‘must-see'. (CH)

© Chris Moore

Hussein Chalayan The Mighty Underdogs 18th February 2009 at Jazz Café, London – new hip hop supergroup The Mighty Underdogs, consisting of The Gift of Gab and Latheef the Truth Speaker, descend upon London’s Jazz Café for a night of witty lyrical wizardry and funk-fuelled beats.

À From 22nd January until 17 th May 2009 ☞ Design Museum, London

www.designmuseum.org

THE NEXT FEW WEEKS' AGENDA FILLERS

THE FIRSTS

( 19 ¤ 21 )

France Architectural Grandeur

Organised in col¤ laboration with the RIBA and with the Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio in Vincenza, this exciting exhibition celebrates the quincentenary of the famous architect's birth. Undeniably one of the most innovative Italian architects ever to have lived, Palladio's work is justly highlighted here through the skillful use of large-scale models, computer animations, original drawings, books and paintings.

The show covers the full range of his magnificent professional output and makes clear why his name is still so important in any discussion on the history of architecture today. (CH)

17.

19.

City of Lights

Photographer Rob¤ ert Frank needs no introduction. Responsible for some of the most seminal and perioddefining work in photography, he single-handedly paired photography and story-telling together, his prints often exuding an unmistakable urban poetic essence. Although he is most famous for his groundbreaking book The Americans, it is his snapshots of Paris which are on show at the Jeu de Paume.

Something of a chronicler of street spectacle, he managed to capture the city's liberating undertone, immortalising its many components with a distinctive motion-like stance, one which convened a strong sense of urgency to his photographs.

© Alberto Carolo

17.

17

18.

Andrea Palladio: His Life and Legacy À From 31st January until 13th April 2009 ☞ Royal Academy, London

Robert Frank, a Foreign Look À From 20 th January until 22nd March 2009 ☞ Jeu de Paumes, Paris

www.royalacademy.org.uk

www.jeudepaume.org

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize À Until 15th February 2009 ☞ National Portrait Gallery, London

www.npg.org.uk

19.

© Robert Frank

Annually showcas¤ ing the work of some of today's most talented emerging young photographers, The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize attracts thousands of entries, resulting in the submission of over six thousand images.

From these, sixty works are chosen, including the four winners and the winner of the Godfrey Argent Award – this year awarded for the best portrait in black and white. The diverse mix of international entrants produced a collection of photographs that examine a wide spectrum of themes, styles and techniques, resulting in some breathtaking and revealing images, many as yet unpublished. (CH)

20.

20.

Master of Fluidity

Creator and innova¤ tor Ron Arad is a man of many talents. Of Jewish origin, he today lives in London where, in addition to teaching at the Royal Academy of Arts, he has initiated a storm of designpurist controversies with such breakthrough designs as the Bookworm Shelf and his RAD chair. A multi-disciplinary artist, he refuses to be boggeddown by pre-defi ned categories, preferring instead to try his hand at everything from design and architecture to visual arts.

His fi rst major one-man show in France, the exhibition brings together strong examples of his work as a designer, as well as more conceptual architectural projects.

Ron Arad, No Discipline À Until 16th March 2009 ☞ Centre Pompidou, Paris

© Ron Arad

Awarding Zeal

© Murray

18.

www.centrepompidou.fr

18

THE SWEET DREAMS ISSUE

21.

Opposing Views

Paris' Fondation Cartier asks two contemporary luminaries to face each other in an open-ended, visual confrontation exploring the meaning of nativity, and human beings' relationship with it. Inviting cinematographer and photographer Raymond Depardon and urbanite and philosopher Paul Virilio to explore these issues, the exhibition presents a forceful discussion on what links people to their earth, what importance their native rootings have on their lives and the consequences of displacement. The Fondation's main room being taken over by a gigantic map charting migration trends and their causes, modernday urban exile is put to the fore in a visual feast of thought-provoking issues.

THE DIARY

21.

Concerts Pick

¤

Native Land, Stop Eject À Until 15 th March 2009 ☞ Fondation Cartier, Paris

www.fondation.cartier.com

¤ Antipop Consortium on 29 th January 2009 @ L'Ancienne Belgique, Brussels

© Raymond Depardon

¤ Of Montreal on 22nd January 2009 @ Botanique ¤ Sebastien Tellier on 11th February 2009 @ L'Ancienne Belgique, Brussels

In-Betweeners The Paris Metro seen by Akemi Noguchi Until 1st February 2009 at Musée Carnavalet – Japanese photographer Akemi Noguchi entertains a sometimes unhealthy, although always sublime, relationship with Paris’ Metro, an obsession on show at this exhibition not to be missed.

¤ Nostalgia 77 on 13th February 2009 @ L'Ancienne Belgique, Brussels ¤ Giles Peterson on 13th February 2009 @ Het Depot, Leuven ¤ Seasick Steve on 17th February 2009 @ L'Ancienne Belgique, Brussels

What We're Giving Away Two pairs of tickets to the following concerts th ¤ Sebastien Tellier at L' Ancienne Belgique, Brussels on 11 February 2009. th ¤ Giles Peterson at Het Depot, Leuven on 13 February 2009. th ¤ Seasick Steve at L' Ancienne Belgique, Brussels on 17 February 2009. ¤ The Now_Series (Soldout, MVSC and Casiokids) at L' Ancienne Belgique on 19th February 2009.

2 for 1 Ticket To get one free ticket when you buy one (E 12 saved), register at www.affordableartfair.be

Affordable Art Fair Brussels 12 - 15 February 2009 Tour & Taxis

What you need to do.

Send an email to wewrite@thewordmagazine.be, specifying which concert you wish to go to in the subject line.

The first readers to do so will each win a pair of tickets to the concert of their choice.

Conditions.

Until tickets last. Applies to Belgium only. Normal conditions apply.

Contemporary art is contagious

Following success in London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Amsterdam and Paris, the AAF is coming to Brussels! A selection of 65 local and international galleries will represent over 300 known and emerging artists, with all artworks priced under ` 5000.

AAF is the fab, funky fair where visitors can look at, love and leave with contemporary art.

Public opening hours 12-15/02 : 11am - 7pm

Ticket 12` (free under 18)

Affordable Art Fair Brussels Contemporary art under E 5000 - 65 Galleries 12-15 February 2009 Tour & Taxis - Brussels www.affordableartfair.be

20

THE COUCH POTATO ISSUE

THE LAZY PAPERS

— Not that we're about to give you a how-to-guide of donothingness but this month's papers do have a certain sense of sit back, relax and let others do it for you. We check in with a mothered 30 year old, whilst we wash our hands of the responsibility that is planning our own holidays – at the risk of ending up in a hotel room with no window.

Writer Randa Wazen

BELGIUM

21

a parasite. In one word, he is simply not normal. But what exactly is he ? According to a recent study commissioned by P&V, Knack, Le Vif / L'express, RTBF and conducted by the TOR study group of the VUB, a "normal" person graduates around 22, moves in with a partner by 24, gets married around 26 and usually has the fi rst baby on the way that same year, before investing in a house at 27.

Yet about 36% of young adults in Belgium still live with their parents. Even though that figure drops in the capital (17%), it rises in Wallonia (31%) and peaks in Flanders (40%).

Jean-Marc is a self-proclaimed Tanguy.

Until recently this thirty year old half-Italian half-Belgian, who lives with his mother in Brussels, never truly considered leaving the family nest. "All I can see are the benefi ts. I know that when I go home it's a place of quiet where I can relax and where I am taken care of. Why leave it ?" So he used his freedom to try out various jobs and engage in different projects. But none of them quite fitted. The same goes for girls, his relationships all being short lived. "I've gotten so used to my mother's unconditional love that it makes it very difficult for other girls to compete. I feel like it will be impossible for me to find the perfect person.

Unless maybe she's Italian…" he jokes.

But anti-conformism and Oedipus complexes aside, there is a far harsher reality that explains and justifies this growing breed of twixters: an economy that has been sinking since the seventies and, by the look of the current situation, leaves only grim perspectives for what is to come. The future of young adults is more uncertain than ever, unemployment rates keep on rising and so does the cost of life. One would actually have to be mad to relinquish the comfort of your parents' home unless they were forced to in one way or another. Which is exactly how Jean-Marc felt.

"I was never able to run or fi ght for something just because society dictated me to do so".

Add to that a generalized identity crisis and the omnipresent idea hammered by our modern culture that life stops once you hit the big thirty, and you've almost got us packing our bags to settle in Jean-Marc's haven of peace and security !

But then again, seeing all his friends move on with their lives, reaping the benefits of all their hard labour, got him thinking. "I'm thirty years old now. It's a turning point in a man's life. I have to stop fi nding excuses for myself. So yeah, it's defi nitely time I moved on…" (RW)

© Geneviève Balasse

MEET TANGUY

Meet Tanguy Have you met Tanguy ? Of course you have – you know, he's in his late twenties, graduated from college, has a job… but chooses to still live with his parents. While in French speaking countries these post-adolescents or "kidults" are referred to as Tanguys, after the movie by Etienne Chatiliez, they are known as Twixters in America, Nesthockers in Germany, Boomerang kids in Canada, and even Mammoni in Italy. This phenomenon has always existed in certain cultures, mainly Asian and Mediterranean ones, where it seems to be culturally engrained. Yet the Tanguy syndrome has suddenly boomed in Western civilization a few decades ago and people just can't seem to stop loathing and poking fun at these modern day Peter Pans.

And why shouldn't they ? Tanguy lives a pretty neat life : he never has to worry about paying the rent, the mortgage, or about trivial details such as cleaning, cooking and doing the laundry. In a way, he enjoys the freedom we all long for, but lives in a situation widely despised. He is considered at best as an endearing yet pathetic mommy's boy, at worst as

THE SLOUCHING ISSUE

THE LAZY PAPERS

© Sarah Eechaut

22

All But Exclusive When people are asked what they most want from their holidays, the answer is often "sunshine and idleness". A week spent doing nothing ? Talk about pushing the concept of laziness to its extreme, almost turning it into an art form ! Belgian Gérard Blitz seemed to grasp that concept very well when he created Club Mediterranée, the fi rst "all-inclusive" resort, in 1950. This former water polo champion and yoga enthusiast envisioned a holiday village where all services such as travel, lodging, entertainment, food and beverages would be included in a packaged price and where everything would be taken care of, leaving the customer completely relaxed and carefree. Half a century, 80 worldwide villages and millions of customers later, the formula is still ever so popular. Northern European countries like Holland, Germany, Belgium and France are very keen on the tried-and-tested formula.

The Belgians are even the Club Med's most loyal clients, even though its customer base is quite international.

The pros are tempting… With a daily routine of sunbathing, swimming and eating, not much can go wrong. You can stuff yourself till your stomach's satisfied and drink till you drop, without ever fearing a nasty surprise upon receiving the final bill. "Not having to think about money gives our customers a certain freedom. They are carefree. They can do whatever they want, whether it is relaxing, engaging in sports or other activities" explains Quentin Briard, marketing and commercial director for Club Med Belux. And with the recession currently underway, these packages are even more attractive to holiday goers because it allows them to leave with a sealed budget.

That said, whether you go for up-market tour operators like Club Med and Pégase, or their lower end counterparts such as Thomas Cook, Neckermann or Jetair, the result is often the same : a pleasant yet somewhat generic and charmless experience in the heart of mass tourism. The herds flock in every week, following each other in a continuous flow, you are bound to run into the same people during your stay and Russian will probably be the most exotic language you get to hear all week long. If the price tag on your heavenly holiday was suspiciously cheap, chances are you'll feast on the same buffet of recycled food every day, be served ques-

tionable alcohol, fight for a spot around the overcrowded and noisy pool and be fooled by the label of "all-inclusive", because most of the services will in fact be supplements. And don't even think about escaping to the nearest little restaurant, since those resorts are usually located in remote areas, making it almost impossible to visit other parts of the country, let alone interact with locals. The only option is to embark on the hotel's scheduled and impersonal bus tours. Another non-negligible issue is that the huge revenues generated by those resorts barely profit the local economy.

We are in no position to pass judgement on those who choose to travel in a packaged way – the prices are extremely competitive, even more so with "last minute" offers, and they can be very suitable for families, seniors and even singles, looking for fun times. But on the other hand, planning a customized vacation is guaranteed to provide you with a more culturally enriching experience. Sure, it involves more effort and organization and more than certainly plenty of glitches and mishaps. But aren't those the moments that holiday memories are truly made of ? (RW)

Smeds Ensemble + KVS

Mental Finland 11> 22.02

11> 22.02 Director/

Kristian Smeds www. mentalfinland. com

www.kvs.be — 02 210 11 12 KVS/Arduinkaai 9 quai aux Pierres de Taille 1000 Brussel/Bruxelles

Picture © Antti Ahonen Graphic design www.coastdesign.be

A dark comedy about Europe in the year 2069

24

THE YAWNING ISSUE

The All-Inclusive Sofa Day

AS SEEN BY GAﾃ記LE

TIME WASTERS

BELGIUM

25

Very Important Form to Complete Check the boxes after having achieved the action described. Please respect the order of the procedure.

If performed correctly, this should temporarily make office life less boring.

Approximate time consumption: 45 minutes.

NAME

DATE

COMPANY

TIME

U Cut this page from the magazine.

U Look at your watch for five seconds.

U Walk to the nearest photocopy machine.

U Make a copy of this sheet and give it to your nearest colleague.

U Sit down at your desk and sigh.

U Send as many e-mails as possible in less than one minute to junk@thewordmagazine.be.

U Find 3 anagrams for "Work is boring".

U Turn on any database program on your computer.

U Enter the following numbers in the first column 9433; 1353; 4136; 1276; 7889; 5698; 2857.

U Enter the following numbers in the second column 1677; 9757; 6974; 9834; 3221; 5412; 8253.

U Create a third column with the sum of the two firsts.

U Save this database on the desktop in a file you've named TheWordTimeWasters08.

U Go to the bathroom and stay there for 3 whole minutes.

U Walk back to your desk.

U Find four highlighters: one green, one blue, one pink and one yellow.

U Fill in the following diagrams.

Rate Your Colleagues.

Boring Entertaining Sexy Nerve-Racking

S M L XL

How has your day been so far?

JOY

NEUTRAL

BOREDOM

What percentage of your Facebook friends are: 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A. Single B. Married C. With children D. Male E. Female

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

U Go to the www.big-game.ch homepage and count the words beginning with a B. Total words.

U Without moving from your chair, take a serious look around and take a picture of a yellow object (even with your cell phone).

U Send your image to design@thewordmagazine.be.

U Open your agenda and book a day to visit the BIG-GAME exhibition at Grand Hornu.

U Write "Send ASAP" on a post it.

U Grab an envelope and address it to TIMEWASTER RESULT c/o The Word Magazine 107 Rue Gen. Henry Straat 1040 Brussels Belgium.

U Stick the post it on the envelope.

U Find a nice stamp.

U Search Google for an Origami folding, and fold this sheet accordingly.

U Put it in the enveloppe.

U You may resume your normal office activities.

TOTAL TIME TAKEN FOR COMPLETION This moment of random behaviour was brought to you by BIG-GAME

H

M

S

26

THE SLEEPY ISSUE

THE WORD ON

Lazy Eyes The romanticism and beauty attached to what is commonly refered to as a lazy eye made the following portraited feature a sure shot.

Photography Sarah Eechaut

Name : Johannes Verschaeve Age : 28 Profession : Frontman for The Van Jets

From : Ostend, lives in Ghent

造 His eyes get worse when he's tired or nervous. "I've never considered it a problem, and doctors left it unnoticed, unnamed".

LAZY EYES

Name : Gerald Claes From : Ghent

BELGIUM

Age : 32 Profession : Bar Owner

造 Has a dead eye ever since a mould damaged his retina two weeks after birth.

Name : Delphine Cornille From : Leuven 造

Age : 26 Profession : Personal Assistant

Was born with the Marcus Gunn Syndrome.

27

28

THE BEDTIME ISSUE

THE WORD ON

Name : Dr. Ignace De Keyser (PhD) Age : 62 From : Ghent Profession : Head of the Ethnomusicological Section at the Royal Museum for Central Africa 造

Has Congenital Ptosis.

LAZY EYES

BELGIUM

Name : Patrick Van Acker Profession : Bar Tender 造

Age : 38

From : Ghent

Had a car accident when he was 18 and lost his left eye.

29

30

THE LIE IN ISSUE

THE PHOTO ALBUM

Sunday-Lazy Belgium In our quest to perfection our grasp of the true Sunday spirit, we went back to our archive to dig out a faded visual composition of what truly makes the seventh day the most special of them all.

Words MĂŠlisande McBurnie

"Go on love, give us some room"

Sleeping on the job

Eastenders omnibus

Warm and toastie

SUNDAY-LAZY BELGIUM

BELGIUM

"Merrily-Merrily-Merrily, life is but a dream"

The old settee

Productive

Non-productive

Productive

"I ditched Church today"

Pictures chosen whilst making a visible dent in the sofa cushion.

Non-productive

31

32

THE SUNDAY MORNING ISSUE

THE INSTITUTION

Mister Golden Key

Š Jack Moyersoen

A mystery to many but a friend to all, the hotel concierge is the traveller's most overlooked ally. Jack Moyersoen reports on these ultimate insiders and how to put them to work for you.

Marcel Berckmans, concierge "Golden Key" at the Metropole Hotel has 25 years of experience in satisfying any guest's desire.

The Concierge

Marcel Berckmans, 42, has fielded a lot of requests during his 25 year tenure as concierge at Brussels' only 19th-century hotel still in operation. While most renowned Belgian hotels have been sold and swallowed up by international conglomerates, the Metropole Hotel still belongs to the same Belgian family who founded it. "It creates a much friendlier atmosphere", Marcel confides, "The management doesn't put profit at the centre of the equation. The priority is set on the well-being of the employees and the clients. It is not in this house that this could have happened‌", pointing to an article of la "Dernière Heure" on his desk which tells of employee strikes at the Conrad Hotel during a European summit.

Dressed in an old-school black redingote behind the vintage lobby desk of the classified French renaissance hall of The

Metropole Hotel, Berckmans epitomizes the tradition of care that is taken by the 5-star hotel to honour all customer demands.

" We always say that if we can't get you a white elephant, perhaps we can get you a pink one. "

Shunning yellow Post-its in favour of recording guests' desires in meticulously kept notebooks, concierges deal with the mundane (restaurant reservations, theatre tickets, questions about local transportation and

where to check e-mail), to the sublime (help me plan a marriage proposal my intended will never forget). And all requests are fulfi lled in unfl appable style, even when the pressure is on. "A guest should never, ever understand what goes on behind their request," confides Mr. Berckmans. They are courteous, helpful, experienced and discrete. "We are like the 3 little monkeys" as Marcel puts it, "See everything, hear everything, and don't tell anything." And all that expertise, attention and loving care isn't just for VIPs. Hotel concierges serve all guests, regardless of their bank account balance.

No matter how strange the request, concierges rarely turn a guest down. "We always say that if we can't get you a white elephant, perhaps we can get you a pink one," says Marcel. "The word 'no' really doesn't exist. It's a word concierges rebel against." Concierges

may only turn down a request if it is illegal or morally unacceptable. "A few years ago, I had an old man asking me for a second cushion" says Berckmans. "I gave him one of the local publications that had phone numbers in it and told him he had to call for himself.

We are not pimps !" However, this has not always been the case. Long ago, European concierges had a reputation for being pimps — at least in circles that didn't mince words. Today's concierges say they don't go anywhere near "funny massages," but that doesn't mean they don't get asked !

Keeper of the Keys

The origin of the word "concierge" comes from the Latin word conserves, meaning "fellow slave." The word itself is French, meaning "keeper of the keys." During the Middle Ages, concierges did just that. When castles across Europe hosted visiting nobility, the concierge kept the keys to the castle rooms, and ensured that guests had everything they needed during their stay. By the 1800s, every building of any significance in Western Europe (royal, municipal, residential) had a concierge, who was like the building superintendent of today.

The hotel concierge, as we know him, wasn't born until the dawn of the twentieth century, when improvements in steamships and steam train travel brought touring into vogue. Hotels throughout Europe began creating concierge positions to take care of their guests.

Today, the concierge's elegant costume is still reminiscent of that period.

In 1929, Ferdinand Gillet, the head concierge at Paris' Hotel Scribe, founded Les Clefs d'Or, an association of concierges based on a network of "service through friendship."

Through this mystique corporation, a concierge in the lobby of a hotel in Rome could now call upon his counterpart in Berlin to find out the best spot for Wiener schnitzel for a guest who would be arriving there in a few days. Today, Les Clefs d'Or has 3,000 members in 50 countries, identifiable by the pair of crossed golden keys pinned to their lapels.

The Belgian wing of the association has as president Alain Vanderauwera, the chief-concierge of the Sheraton, and counts 38 members all employed by the country's 14 best hotels.

Earning the pin is no easy task. For starters, concierges must have at least five years' experience and be nominated by two mem-

MISTER GOLDEN KEY

BELGIUM

bers. Then the tests begin. To make sure that a candidate is worthy of the keys, a member might anonymously call with a question on the origins of an obscure statue in Buenos Aires ; another might check into the applicant's hotel under an assumed name and behave badly or make obscure demands, such as requesting a list of all the art shops that sell Rotring pens in a 40–block radius. Finally, the applicant is subjected to a board review.

a year. It consists of a fi xed salary which is topped by a 16% service fee (shared among the Service Department employees) included in the price of the room.

Even though no tips are required, Marcel has witnessed over the years a shift in the guests' comportment towards the concierge.

"People seem much shier than twenty years ago to walk up to me to ask for a service. They also don't seem to be spending as much during their stay. I used to make frequent bookings at prestigious restaurants like the Comme Chez Soi. Today, our guests seem just as happy to go eat in a fast-food or a local restaurant for which the use of my connections and skills are not required."

So, are concierges a little underused ?

Maybe. Many don't realise, for instance, that they can call the concierge desk as much as a month before they arrive to discuss the objectives of their trip — whether it's business, romance, food, art, sports, or college tours for prospective students and their parents. With notice, the desk can then make all arrangements and appointments and have a detailed hour-by-hour itinerary prepared by the time the clients arrive.

" … a concierge in the lobby of a hotel in Rome could now call upon his counterpart in Berlin to find out the best spot for Wiener schnitzel for a guest who would be arriving there in a few days. "

33

The Information Age

Life in a Palace

Besides the prestige that comes with the pin, Marcel Berckmans, a proud member of the Clef d'Or since 1993, appreciates the sense of community and excellence it shares. He gradually climbed the ladder of hierarchy of the Metropole Hotel's customer service department to become a concierge. He started at 16 as a groom, a position which has now sadly disappeared in most hotels. Dressed in a red uniform with matching hat, exactly like Belgian comic-strip hero Spirou, his job was to assist the concierge. The tasks could vary from walking a client's dog, to fetching cigarettes or train tickets. Marcel then became a bellboy, carrying customer luggage's in and out the hotel before fi nally being appointed concierge in 1988. He would by no means trade his current place for another one and sees himself retiring, possibly as chiefconcierge, in 20 years.

Despite their often posh surroundings, the average concierge earns only about € 20,000

Technology has impacted the concierge business, just as it has virtually every other industry. Using a Web-based system, concierges can now for instance not only track guest requests until they're fulfi lled, but can make reservations even before a restaurant opens. Laptop computers and PDAs have also familiarised customers with the booking of train and plane tickets on the go. So it isn't hard to think that the necessity of the concierge will only decrease with time.

In some hotels, touch-screen kiosks have supplemented and sometimes even replaced concierge. These kiosks provide information on restaurants, shopping, city tours, and services. Guests can use them to print out maps, coupons, and tickets without ever interacting with a human being.

Let us here remember how the automation of elevators sealed the fate of the elevator boy, and hope that the information age does not ultimately lead the concierge to the same tragic fate.

34

THE HERMIT ISSUE

THREE OF THE BEST

Tracksuits — The whole office wanted to model for this one but, believe it or not, we do have certain dos and dont's which sometimes prevail. So we opted for a slightly more democratic option. Not wanting to make too much of an effort, we simply sent out a message to our Facebook group members, calling for all slouch-susceptible models. Let's just say people more than got off their arses…

(To those we didn't pick, please don't hold it against us but we hope you'll agree we found in these three heavychillers the perfect protagonists for the feature) Photography Opération Panda

1.

The "Glued to the TV Screen" Superstar

2.

The Couch Revolutionary

Nike Grey Heather Fleece Hoodie and Tracksuit Bottoms

The Tracksuit

The Material

American Apparel's Evergreen California Fleece Zip Hoodie and Straight Leg Bottoms

80% Cotton, 20% Polyester

The Tracksuit

3.

The Orange-Tanned Serial Lounger

The Verdict

Essential Indoor Attire

The Tracksuit

The Material

The Dream

100% Combed Cotton

Bright Lights

Juicy Couture Pink Original Zip Hoodie and Leg Drawstring Bottoms

The Verdict

The Alternative

The Material

Indispensable After-Party Wear

Recording Session in the Studio

80% Cotton, 20% Polyester

The Dream

The Model

The Verdict

Spandex Comeback

Pablo Andres is an author, comedian and MC of many talents. He is currently working on his album, Nino del Sol, out sometime in 2009. Expect everything from Hip Hop and Bossa to Reggae and Soul.

All-in-One Tracksuit-Come-PJ

The Alternative

Crate-Digging in Köln The Model

Soumaya Dancemachine is a DJ with several of Brussels' best parties under her fi ngers.

The brains behind the city's High Needs Low parties, she's a fi rm fi xture on the local party circuit.

The Dream

Celebrity Big Brother The Alternative

Sun-Bedding The Model

Stéphanie Caulier, aka Mr Mittens, is knitting up quite some storm, as you'll notice in our Showstoppers section on the next page (p36)

TRACKSUITS

2

LIFESTYLE

1

Sit on it White TryAngle XL Bean Bags, available from www.sitonit.be

35

3

36

THE PLAYSTATION ISSUE

SHOWSTOPPERS

The Usual Suspects — With the sole exception of the boots we picked out, this month's Showstoppers most definitely brought out the hermits in us. We dreamt of better tomorrows in an intricately exquisite hammock, planned to change the world around a stylish cup of tea, gave into our feminine sides by indulging in some heavy-duty moisturizing and wrapped it all up without being able to let go of the scarf a kind soul had made for us.

Photography Delphine Dupont + pleaseletmedesign

01.

Everything about Mr Mittens spelt out WE LOVE from the ¤ word go. A one-woman show of exquisite knitted simplicity, Mr Mittens makes scarves, hats and, well, mittens. Get in touch with master-knitter Stephanie via email, discuss with her what you're after – yarn type, stitching technique, colour preference, length and width – tell her a little bit about the person who will ultimately wear the piece and you end up, a couple of days later, with personalised, cosy and simply lovely knitted items waiting for you in the post box. (NL) For your made-to-order Mr Mittens, email mr.mittens.knitts@gmail.com.

02.

This is how to get hands that your in-laws will disapprove of – the kind that make it evident you've ¤ never performed an honest day's work in your life. Doing a hand mask is the laziest activity ever – never mind working, you can't even pick your own nose while wearing one. Even in private. It is also the excuse most likely to get you thumped when you refuse to do the washing up. If you are thinking of having extensive plastic surgery, bear in mind that the face of a nymph with the hands of a crone is not a pretty combination ; get to work now laying the foundations for elegant, indolent old age. (HJ)

From Left to Right : Barielle's Intensive Hand Treatment Cream (113mg)

€ 39 from Cosmeticary, Brussels.

Aveda's Hand Relief (125ml)

€ 28,55 from Aveda Lifestyle Salon, Antwerp.

Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer (100ml)

€ 28 from Kiehls, Antwerp.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

LIFESTYLE

37

03.

Latvian-born Ieva Laurina won an award for Nest at the 2008 Kortrijk design Biennale. The ¤ 25-year old post-graduate student at Design Academy Eindhoven recently did a project on the "borders of perception", wrapping rope between tree-trunks in a forest on the Dutch /German border. Nest has a similar fragile simplicity – something very beautiful created with a small bundle of humble materials – it's the closest you'll come to sleeping on a cloud. There's something philosophically pleasing about a piece of furniture that depends so heavily on existing structures, yet has such distinctive visual impact. (HJ) Nest Hammock from € 600 email info@ievalaurina.com for more information

04.

We've made no secret of our downward-looking inclination, and have lately been taken aback ¤ by a new kind of boot making its mark on the city's window-shopping sidewalks. Unstructured, crumpled-out and baggy, Mellow Yellow's Elisey boots' fall-back nature is the perfect answer to a sometimes exaggeratingly square design ethos and functional zeal.

These knee-high boots – similar to leather sacks for your feet – are just the kind of slouching attitude to fashion and shoe design we'd like to see more of. (NL) Mellow Yellow's Elisey Taupe,

€ 185 from Prive Joke, Brussels.

38

THE PROCRASTINATING ISSUE

SHOWSTOPPERS

05.

More than four years in development, Patricia Urquiola's Land¤ scape collection for Rosenthal combines the ethereal, translucent lightness of fine porcelain with contemporary graphic motifs that "invade" the pieces like a virus within the surface of the designs. The complex process of producing the entire range with its variable thicknesses of porcelain has been documented in an exhibition at London's Design Museum, and Urquiola imagines that there is still another year or two of work facing her. All that effort and all we want to do is laze around in bed sipping tea from the dreamy cups. (HJ) Rosenthal's Landscape Collection

€ 39 from Gallerie Inno, Brussels.

www.inno.be

06.

How many times have you found yourself in the frustrating position ¤ of needing a product for its functionalities, but resisting it because of the instantt clash it would provoke with the rest of your interior aesthetic ? Be it radiators, gas cookers or even toilets, the design world sometimes seems to completely ignore these household hallmarks, preferring to apply their touch to slightly easier-to-embellish items. Not so for Swiss design company Staddler Form, who has made it its forte of stylishly revisiting sometimes bland everyday items, the humidifier being one of them. Being lazy and a hermit is one thing, but you need to ensure it is all done in the most air-levelled of settings. The Fred will guarantee that, whilst never looking out of place. (NL)

Staddler Form's Fred Humidifi er, € 129.

Go to www.leonardospecials.nl for your nearest dealer.

Aspria Club: all our experts at your service Richard Earney Jean-Luc Rudé

Marco Meli

TRANCE Creator, Int’l Dancer & Aspria Expert

Olympic Athlete & Aspria Expert

™

Master trainer, Nutritionist & Aspria Expert

Elisa Kant European Aquafitness Champion & Aspria Expert

Olivier Bovy Introduced Les Mills in Belgium & Aspria Expert

Eric Simmons Aspria Member since 2005

Peter Pastijn Ironman, Cycling Master Trainer & Aspria Expert

Patty Leconte French Miss Fitness 2008 & Aspria Expert

Beran Parry

Rudi Van Lancker

Pilates Master Trainer & Aspria Expert

Athletics multi-record holder & Aspria Expert

Eric Rozen Bharata Natyam Dancer, Choreographer & Aspria Expert

The Aspria team of experts has achieved great

But that’s not all... Aspria Club is proud to

things: former Olympic athletes, record holders,

announce its brand new “Functional Training

national champions.

studio” to complement its existing state of

They are now at your side to help you achieve

the art fitness equipment, 21m pool and wide

your goals, support and motivate you.

variety of classes.

If you join in January, you can meet your own expert: just you, him and your goals.

What better way to start the year?

To find out more, visit www.aspria-experts.be or call 02 508 08 12.

Aspria Club: the health, wellness and sports experts

Rue de l’Industrie 26 - 1040 Brussels

THE SLOW MOTION ISSUE

THE BUSINESS

© MetroNaps

40

01.

Bean Counters Count Sheep — Sanctioned napping at work has arrived.

The question remains whether Europe is ready for it.

Writer Hettie Judah

BEAN COUNTERS COUNT SHEEP

LIFESTYLE

41

The EnergyPod is a space age sensory deprivation chair that companies can rent to allow their employees to take naps during the working day. Developed by a New York fi rm called MetroNaps, the prototype chair was launched six years ago and originally intended for use in napping centers. These were imagined as restful spaces designed along the lines of tanning salons, where clients could drop by for a 20-minute rest in the middle of a working day, to be woken, refreshed, by gentle vibrations.

MetroNaps' co-founder and CEO Arshat Chowdhury was an investment banker ; long working hours were an unquestioned part of the culture. Alas most human beings haven't quite evolved to fit the New York work ethic, and Chowdhury had grown accustomed to colleagues dropping off during meetings, or slipping out to catch some ZZZs in a parked car. If corporations provided their well-paid employees with food, water and even exercise equipment, why, thought Chowdhury, should they not provide them with facilities for a power nap ?

Chowdhury and COO Christopher Lindholst quickly abandoned the idea of nap salons and concentrated on renting to companies as part of a fatigue reduction package that include seminars on the importance of taking a nap. Anti-fatigue seminars cost € 1,950 per day, and the all-inclusive rental of a pod starts at € 379 per month. As well as offices in New York, Sydney and Hong Kong, Metronaps has recently expanded into Europe, with its headquarters in Denmark and subsidiary offices in London and Frankfurt.

There seems to be little question the practice is beneficial. "My personal opinion is that napping is a good thing for a lot of people," confi rms neurologist Dr Ilse De Volder of the sleep research clinic at the University of Antwerp. "Nearly all the studies conducted with either healthy young students or older people showed improvement, specifi cally in the area of cognitive reasoning. A nap doesn't need to take a long time – 5 minutes is worth the investment."

© Srah Eechaut

" Alas most human beings haven't quite evolved to fit the New York work ethic. "

02.

About the pods themselves, De Volder is a little more reserved, noting that it's really not necessary for companies to splash out on fancy technology. "All you need is a good chair. If I was a firm I wouldn't invest in special equipment, you just need to make a room for the resters, beside the one you have for breastfeeding mothers and the one for smokers." She also worries that the explicit nature of the devices will actually put people off. "People are ashamed of napping, and with all the music and pods I don't think they'd be less ashamed."

On the fl ip side, the pods send a clear message to employees that napping is ok. Pascal Burger, Metronaps' agent in Frankfurt, confi rms that there is a pattern to the earlyadopting companies in Europe. "At the moment its the companies that want to be top employers and want to have a reputation for looking after employees," he explains. "The company demonstrates that it not only cares about performance but about the health and well-being of each individual employee, and they get media attention with it."

International detergents giant Procter & Gamble have purchased two pods for their European headquarters in Geneva. "It's part of our general wellbeing program," explains corporate communications officer Sabrina Heymans. "We're helping our employees reach peak performance at work – they will be able to better balance their work and private life.

As part of the same program we also offer a fi tness centre and ergonomic massage chairs."

Heymans says the company has no current plans to offer the facility in any of its other European offices, and cannot state what number of P&G employees have used the pods, but does confi rm that the feedback has been 'positive'. "A lot of our people are using the facility and it helps them regain energy during the day, I think."

MetroNaps has focused on the north of Europe for its expansion largely because of the different cultural attitudes in the workplace. "The siesta culture is not the same as the power nap," Burger explains. "It's more like one or two hours in which you see your family and have a long lunch, then go on to work late in the evening. In Germany interestingly the 20 minute power nap works quite well."

While they may have been the original inspiration for the MetroNaps concept, Master of the Universe financial types have not provided much of a market for the products. “The investment banks with their long hours are not necessarily our first clients,” regrets Burger. "It's like they don't want to admit they need a break."

Dr De Volder does suggest that all the technology and facilities in the world won't influence employee's napping habits without the appropriate corporate culture in place ; "the best thing a fi rm can do is have a topdown culture of napping."

THE SLOW LANE ISSUE

THE BUSINESS

© MetroNaps

42

03.

" … you just need to make a room for the resters, beside the one you have for breastfeeding mothers and the one for smokers. "

Belgium is one of the last places to resist the ‘lunching is for wimps' dictum of extremist corporate culture. Not only is lunching still regarded as an indispensible component of civilized life, but this is also one of the few countries where you can still drink wine at lunch without your colleagues dropping hints about the ten-step recovery system. However the same permissive atmosphere does not seem to extend to napping ; Belgium is not currently one of the countries on Metronaps' radar for expansion.

Jerry Penxten, of Masterkey corporate consultants in Brussels, works with some of Belgium's big industry players in the public service and energy sectors. While he has read about the supposed power-napping phenomenon in the US, he says that he has never encountered a company over here that actually sanctions napping.

"It's good for you, but it's not in the culture. It's not something that those in the kind of businesses I work with would go for," says Penxten. "It's always the CEO who creates the culture, and for a big salary they are expected to be strong and work a 14 or 15 hour days. But even if a highly paid CEO said that power napping was the key to success, I'm not sure that people would go for it."

Penxten says that he imagines that the culture might shift in another ten years or so, but also points out that acceptance of napping at work seems closely linked to the nature of the company itself. "I work with very big, high performance companies – I think that with little independent companies the story may be different."

01+03.

02.

MetroNaps' EnergyPods Analysing Your Sleep

DESIGN ยฉ FREY WILLE

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44

THE EASY GOING ISSUE

Web 3.0 : The Thin Line Between Simplicity and Stupidity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; With the Web 2.0 becoming increasingly obsolete, our tech-attention turns to the Web 3.0 and all its novelties. To attempt to make sense of it all, we talk to a panel of four experts who give us their views on the direction the web is evolving, and why they think their computer doing their groceries is the best thing to happen since the advent of personal computers.

Writer Karen Van Godstenhoven Illustration Rafael Ricoy

HOW LAZY YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME

WEB 3.0: THE THIN LINE…

LIFESTYLE

45

46

THE BLAH ISSUE

The Experts

Clo Willaerts ¤ Blogger and reader, heavy user of Twitter, RSS social and professional networking sites.

Hopes the Web 3.0 will do her groceries.

Bart Becks : Belgian, lives between California and Europe. On the board of four digital media and technology startups, and is creating two himself. Would like the web to become so smart he doesn't have to read through the communication clutter anymore, allowing him basically to stop typing.

Something he calls instant mind messaging.

Niels Schillewaert ¤ Professor in marketing research and founder of Insites, Europe's leading market research company. Like Clo, he would like his fridge to do the groceries for him.

Alberto Pepe : PhD student at UCLA. Hopes his computer will one day choose the right wine for his meal, instead of taking trips to taste wine.

BUSINESS

Defining

Technology and laziness have always gone hand in hand. A lot of technological advancements stem from a certain quest for laziness but – if that sits better with you – we could also call it a normal evolutionary human zeal. By wasting less time on doing the dishes, we have more time to learn different things, or just to relax.

Although Web 3.0 is still an early phase of the web and won't solve all your problems yet, it will simplify things – similarly making your web life that much more stress free. Clo Willaerts : "Right now we have so much RSS feeds, blogs and status updates to follow and process, it's very tiring. Information is like a snowfl ake that keeps rolling, it aggravates itself, especially with the 'wisdom of the crowds' and publishing overkill from Web 2.0. Although I enjoy a lot of Web 2.0 phenomena, there are just too many websites, too little time and we still have to make too much of an effort. I'm curious as to how Web 3.0 will make life easier in this respect and give us more time to think things through."

Alberto Pepe explains it this way: "The most important feature of Web 3.0 is the focus on structured data. The web today, or Web 2.0, engages users in the production, sharing, annotation and publishing of data.

Now, although a lot of the promises of Web 2.0 have not been met, the web is awash with user-generated data of all kinds. Truth is, not only are these data hard to mine because they lack a standard structure, very often they are also hidden from search queries and practically undiscoverable and thus largely unusable. The chaos this brings along is tackled by some social platforms like Facebook .People want to manage their data in a 'safe' environment that they get used to navigate in, after the free-for-all mentality of Web 2.0. Now users can find stuff because it is sitting in a well-structured working environment. In my opinion, Web 3.0 is about data and making it more usable, discoverable and interoperable by the use of good-old URLS and typed relationships."

Bart Becks adds: "Because computers will better communicate with each other, it will make our human workflow easier. I'm looking forward to these meaningful communications that simplify our lives. Laziness and efficiency are tied close together in this sense. I, for one, would already be happy with self-organizing emails and simpler and more efficient social media so that I can spend more time surfing-literally that is. Down with social online labour, up with physical labour ! For some web people

though, Web 3.0 evokes the same feelings of hope and change as the election of President Obama. That, in my opinion, is overrating the effects (laughs)."

Change

But things will change, no ? Niels Schillewaert sees three major functions for Web 3.0 : "it will be automational (it will work for you), informational (better quality of data) and transformational (new phenomena will emerge on top of the former two functions)."

The transformational aspect is what fascinates him the most: "Marketing research, a traditionally conservative fi eld, needs to challenge its basic assumptions: for example, focus moves from the profi le of the user to the topic he / she talks about. Web 2.0 brought about so much information for marketing research, and once these data become more contextualized and open, the possibilities are limitless."

Bart Becks ¤

" For some web people though, Web 3.0 evokes the same feelings of hope and change as the election of President Obama. "

For Alberto Pepe, Web 3.0 will become an even richer source of information. "The web will become the de facto platform for the vast majority of scientific as well as social research. Being a social researcher who uses scientific tools, I predict that 90% of my research work will be performed analyzing data on the web. Think of the endless pos-

sibilities of cross-analyzing heterogeneous data from different sources by performing a simple query. You could, for example, query : "gimme the names of all the Facebook fans of The Word that live in Brussels and are fans of Sigur Ros" But isn't that a bit scary, the web becoming an openly accessible, intelligent database with all our likes and dislikes linked back to one uniform e-ID ? And won't marketeers gladly use this data for playing tricks on unassuming consumers ? "No", Niels says, "as I said, marketing research will be less about tracking an opinion back to the specifi c user profi le but rather about the content of what the user is saying and writing, to form a complete picture of the brand's image. Nevertheless, if a new sort of intelligent spamming or identity-theft would appear, because of Web 3.0 evolutions, I'm sure the system will correct itself. The internet has always been a space where good and bad sides of humanity meet each other, just like 'normal' society. I believe self-regulation has become stronger since Web 2.0 : behave badly on a forum and you get kicked out by the administrator".

And the advertising business ? The Word did not talk to an advertizing guru, but hopes there is a way out of see-through advertorials and intrusive banners. Niels : "Actually, the things you mention will probably be improved, because information in general will need to be better tailored, the advertising market will need to improve and listen to the customers. Inevitably, certain business models will have to change, and some industries will have to understand it's never going to be a champagne holiday again, good wine will do ! Just like the global recession, Web 3.0 will fi lter out the mediocre content, and offer chances to innovative minds."

So what is the downside to all this kind of artificial intelligence ? Geeks and techies might be well aware of which intelligent technologies are pushing content onto their desktops but people with less 'information literacy' might lose touch with all the automated mechanisms and not even realize how 'lazy' or passive they have become. "No," says Alberto Pepe, "the web isn't that intelligent just yet. In contrast, we will have more time to think for ourselves."

Spiva Novack, CEO of Web 3.0 application Twine, cornered the term 'Artificial Stupidity' : to him, the web, which now has more pages than the human brain has neurons, should be used in a self-serving manner, free us from idiotic tasks, like organizing email, fi ling documents, organizing folders, remembering things, coordinating schedules,

WEB 3.0: THE THIN LINE…

LIFESTYLE

responding to routine messages, re-organizing things, linking and tracking things and leave the higher-level thinking to our own brains. He simply doesn't believe in computers 'overpowering' the human brain. It would just not be fun, to have your past behavior determine your future actions, would it ? If you just read an article on renaissance, you might change to detective stories, cartoons or the Japanese Vogue at the click of a mouse.

We're just too manic and complex to be predicted by our past preferences. Do you still listen to the records you bought five years ago ? You might, but this doesn't mean you're stuck in them. Anyway, as Alberto Pepe argues, "These recommendation thingies are not what the Web 3.0 is about, that's rather some kind of 2.5 process."

given the many blog- and Facebook-related work accidents, people have been fired because they did not realize the impact of their online behavior on their real lives: "I don't think people should be limited on the web, I'm not a reactionary, but still, I don't know where the limits are of what you can share and what not. If I see someone drinking and flirting and I know that person is married to someone else, should I publish that on a blog?

Or you doing a job interview whilst your boss just promoted you? Or even worse, what if I know your cancer is terminal? I guess, just like in the ‘real' world, self-regulation will have to prevail, and I think it will.”

This brings us to the subject of the economy of trust and reputation. Clo Willaerts is a non-believer of this ‘reputational economy': “Although the transparency of my life and lack of privacy is not such a problem to me, I don't believe in this general profi le. Imagine a 100% trustworthy seller on ebay, with a great professional network, who might also be a pedophile or simply an arrogant bastard who insults people via blogposts or social networking sites.” “Nothing to worry about, because it will solve many of our problems,” says Dick Heardt, one of the advocates of an open ID: “Trust decisions are contextual, so it is a case by case situation -- so there are challenges to a reputation economy outside of high value, broadly accepted, critical scenarios. Still, I do think a more accountable net is coming through. ” Whether all this makes sense to your human intellect or not, outlooks are good for people who don't mind some changes. And those who don't want to, can just sit back and relax, lazily enjoying the waves of the web as they pass by.

Alberto Pepe ¤

" The web isn't that intelligent just yet. In contrast, we will have more time to think for ourselves. "

Still, as Clo Willaerts and Niels Shillewaert both argue, we can't just trust our own intellect or common sense in the web wide world: "Education about information technologies and how to use them will become of paramount importance. If not, there will be a new digital divide : this time, not between the broadband haves and havenots, but between the surfers who make the web work for them and those that are being manipulated by it." Bart Becks also has some dystopian visions in the sense that,

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48

THE SLOTH ISSUE

FASHION

Don't ask them what they feel, what they aspire to, what they dream of, what they imagine, what they hope for nor what they seek.

These pretty-faced slackers are quite happy just being.

Photography Andrea Lenon Art Direction Eleonore Vanden Eynde

Her. Bra by La Perla, Cashmere Underwear by Sonia Rykiel, Tunisien by Zadig & Voltaire, Wolford Stockings from Underwear Him. T-shirt, Belt, Pants and Shoes by Diesel

Her. Orange Bra by La Perla, Skirt by Zadig & Voltaire

Him. V-neck Sweater by Zadig & Voltaire, Jeans by Diesel

Sequin Top by Rue Blanche, Underwear by La Perla, Shoes by Patrizia Pepe

Her. Sweather by Sophie d'Hoore, Underwear by Implicite, Resille by Fogal, "Plume" Silver Bracelet by Zadig & Voltaire Him. T-shirt by American Apparel, Belt and Jeans by Diesel

Top Left.

Yellow Top by Annemie Verbecke, Underwear by New Look Love Bracelet by Zadig & Voltaire, Poison Perfume by Dior Right.

Her. Sequin Top by Rue Blanche, Leather Belt by Patrizia Pepe, Irresistible Perfume by Givenchy Girl on Bed. Black Sequin Top by Rue Blanche, T-shirt from Essentiel Girl on Floor. Shirt by Designers Remix Him. Square Shirt by Levi's, Jeans by Diesel

Photographer Andrea Lennon Art Direction Eleonore Vanden Eynde Stylist Sandra Herzman at cestchic.be Make Up BĂŠatrice Stich Hair Adrien Coelho for Gonay Hair Salon

Models Roxanne and Ksenia at IMM Thiemont at Newmodels Rani and Tessa at Ministar

Thank You's Ruinart, Dom Perignon, Louis Vuitton Special thanks Troc.com, BC+, LVMH, Ruinard

IF THE NEW 407 SW HAS EXCEPTIONAL ROAD-HOLDING, IT IS BECAUSE WE PUSH PERFECTIONISM THAT LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

TO ADD A CLOUD (but not too big)

TOO BLURRED (DECREASE 10%)

THERE’S A TRICK, JUST THERE

MORE YELLOW

TO MOVE THE ROCK SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT TO ERASE THE FINGERS’ MARK S A BIT LESS GREY

SHADOW IS TOO DARK

www.peugeot.be

by Peugeot gathers a set of technologies dedicated to road-holding, like the front axle with double wishbone and a linked hub carrier which brings a sharp of letting in curves, the 407 benefits an exceptional road behaviour. The new 407 SW also exists in berline version.

PEUGEOT. ENGINEERED TO BE ENJOYED.

Fuel consumption from 5,3 to 8,5 l/100 km - CO2 emissions from 140 to 225 g/km.

New

ROLLING ON THE 1-10 SOUTHBOUND GOT MY CHEVROLET 63 HUM DROP TOP RAN INTO MY MAN HYPNO, HE HAD HIS MUSTANG 05 TRYING TO MAKING IT LIVE SO I PULLED UP NEXT TO HIS MUSTANG I DID MY THANG MY CHEVROLET IMPALA'S TOO TOUGH HE COULDN'T HANG SO I HAD TO HIT THE FLOOR HAD TO HIT THE FLOOR 63 IMPALA BABY YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW

58

THE NUMBNESS ISSUE

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST

Driving Miss Daisy — We finally put our press cards to good use and sped off with some head-turning automotive novelties fresh off the factory belt.

Packing a sometimes scary dose of engineering prowess and motorised power, these three roaring roadsters are the perfect embodiment of the different human profiles we seek in a car.

Writer Nicholas Lewis Photography Yassin Serghini The smart thing to do, to begin with, is to give a little warning notice. We aren't automotive journalists. We are far from being car-buffs. We don't cover our steering wheels with sheepskin or weekly-wax our car. Nor do we keep a box of Kleenex on the rear window board.

What we do have, however, is an appreciation for the kind of statement-making set of wheels we've been given. Be it their sturdy and sleek exterior body work, or their warm and inviting interior, these three (predominantly industry-standardised white) gravitydefying machines had us glued to our seats from Brussels to Bonn.

And, just to prove our point, we fi rstly reviewed the cars in a more traditional way – evaluating their technical strength, together with their design rateability and engineering innovation - before going slightly more Word and devising our very own left-leaning selection chart, more in line with our own centres of interest.

The Sporty Eco-Warrior

Saab 9-3 Sport Hatchback BioPower 1.8L (White) Saab is well known for having revisited the classic convertible model, introducing its “four seater, four seasons” version close to 20 years ago. Now in its third edition, the model's defi ning characteristic – due to its front seat's generous leeway – is its quasi-unobstructed entrance to the back (tricky in any convertible) whilst also being particularly forward-looking in terms of personalisation and smart-driving features.

ComSense avoids the driver any dangerous distractions, Night Panel dims any unnecessary lights on the dash board whilst the car also has an essential Bluetooth function.

A macadam-loving drive with a sporty yet luxurious interior, the Saab 9-3 Sport hatchback, with its optional BioPower technology, gives any tree-hugging Jeremy Clarcksonite the chance to redeem himself.

Our Alternative Selection Method The Heads That Turned Woluwe Saint-Lambert yummy mummies.

The Fines We Got None!

How We Travelled Eco-friendly.

What We Were Listening To Death Jazz.

Where we Began, and Where we Ended Up Began in Brussels, Ended in Antwerp.

Will be remembered for Its low-rider driving and functional inner aesthetic.

DRIVING MISS DAISY

The Fat-Cat Family Man

BMW 325d Touring (Black Metallic) BMW's latest 3 Series Touring has “space” written all over it. Be it the car's actual length (4,5m), the place allowed in the booth (let's just say it would have Mr Soprano's vote) or the interior's leg room, this here car is fit for giants. Technically, it offers a wealth of driving-made-easy options, such as its multi-functional steering wheel (complete with tectonic gear box), its breakingallowing cruise control and its wheelchangeable menu function. Design-wise, the car's latest model doesn't pack any surprises in it, but why change a winning formula?

Last but not least, we strongly recommend the Dakota Red leather seat option, as it will make all the difference between driving a Beemer, to living a Beemer.

THE CAR SPECIAL

Our Alternative Selection Method The Heads That Turned The car-loving Turks.

The Fines We Got € 50.

How We Travelled Light-heartedly.

What We Were Listening To The Jungle Book Audiobook.

Where we Began, and Where we Ended Up Began in Brussels, Ended in the Zoute.

Will be remembered for Its tectonic gear-change on the steering wheel and IPod dock.

59

60

THE GO TO BED ISSUE

The Flashy/Loud Hot-Head

Alfa Romeo MiTo (White) Alfa Romeo's brand new MiTo packs as much power, speed and engineering excellence in four meters than the rest of the brand's fleet does in its slightly more elongated models. An aggressive go-getter, the MiTo's defi nitive plus-point is its innovative D.N.A system: D for Dynamic (read sporty), N for Normal (read urban) and A for All Weather, which allows for three completely different driving styles to be adopted at the fl ick of a switch. On a slightly more aesthetic note, its (sometimes overly) stylish interior also manages to ergonomically make the best use of the indoor space, without making it seem like a science experiment. Add to that its industry-leading gear-box (which comes with 6 gears and was especially developed for the MiTo) and its distinctive body work and you've got yourself a parking lot showoff session serious contender.

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST

Our Alternative Selection Method The Heads That Turned The gold-digging blondies.

The Fines We Got â&#x201A;Ź 250.

How We Travelled Heavy-duty.

What We Were Listening To Chart-topping J-Pop. Where we Began, and Where we Ended Up Began in Brussels, Ended in Ghent.

Will be Remembered For Its voice-recognising navigation system.

62

THE INERT ISSUE

THE POLITICS OF TRANSPORT

"I am not anti cars..."

(Just pro-cycling) Writer Nicholas Lewis Photography Ulrike Biets Brussels Minister for Mobility Pascal Smet represents a new breed of politicians currently making waves on the local and national political scene. An independent-thinker with a go-getting attitude, he is well-known for voicing his frustrations at the "old boys club" system, prevalent in the stale world of Belgian politics, as is illustrated by the adage he is most associated with : "Everybody in Brussels is competent, but no one is responsible."

Having been given responsibility for the capital's transport and mobility portfolios, we sit down with him on the 14th floor of his cabinet offices to fi nd out what his thoughts are on the issue of cars in the city, and why he has such a reputation as a car-basher. Juggling a € 550 million transport budget ( a whopping 27% of the entire regional budget ), he oversees the city's public transport system, its roads, its cycling policies as well as its taxi network. Having to appease all these traditionally hard-nosed lobby groups is a sometimes strenuous task, one which he seems to take on with the fervour of a politician whose ambition has yet to be watered down by years in the game.

"(The fi rst thing you must remember is that) for the past 50 years, everything has been done to promote car usage in the city" says the young Haasdonk-born Minister, who believes the capital's mobility policies to be in dire need of some "re-equalisation" as he puts it. He has made no secret of his championing of a different kind of city, one which puts the emphasis on its inhabitants further interacting with each other : "A city is meant for people to meet in and people simply don't meet in cars" states the energetic Smet, who lifts his middle fi nger up in the air to illustrate the most common form of communication between drivers.

"Cars have been given too much space in the city and I believe their role needs to (return) to a more utilitarian purpose" goes on the happy cyclist. This translates into the Cambio car-pooling initiative, investing in new metro and tram lines (with a Schaerbeek to Uccle branch planned for completion in 2020), providing bycycles for city-dwellers to rent temporarily, increasing the amount of cycle lanes, teaching over 1,500 people how to cycle every year, allowing them to cycle

on bus lanes, further pedestrianising the city and, fi nally, standardising taxis across town, making for a more recognisable network of identifiable people-carriers ( a policy which initially met with a barrage of opposition from the taxi lobby ).

The Minister who just seems intent on citizens reflecting more on their transport habits' effect on their own surroundings, is sometimes baffled as to why so many people believe they need a car. "(The fact is) if you drive less than 10,000kms a year, or that most of your trips are city-bound bouts of 5kms or less, you simply do not need a car" says the pro-cycling activist. This generational belief that the key to a facilitated life (devoid of pedestrian and public transport trips) – often spurred on by ridiculous marketing speak – through car ownership, is simply outdated.

"I'd like them to realise that there are other ways to be considered cool than by driving what essentially is a killing machine" finishes Minister Smet, upon being asked how he would like new generations to consider cars. Is he on a quest to bring the cool back into cycling ? We can only hope so…

THE TEACHING

THE CAR SPECIAL

63

Racing to Nowhere — If you're the type to race to the red light only to have to wait impatiently for the green one, the following makes for an interesting – although sometimes obvious – piece of advice.

Writer Nicholas Lewis Photography Sarah Eechaut In these times of roller coasting oil prices, eco-consciousness and increasing car scaremongering, driving a set of wheels has never, it would seem, been so expensive and socially looked down upon. And if you're the type to speed down the high street in second gear – exhaust pipes roaring – chances are you're in for a couple of disapproving looks and moralising pep-talks from the responsible masses. Keen to shake-off our reputation as the neighbourhood brats, we checked in with Peugeot's School for Automotive Control – out in Nivelles – to learn all about the subtleties of responsible, earth-loving and economical driving. Let's just say our habitual driving techniques were put to shame…

"You always need to exploit the car's constants to their full potential" begins our seasoned instructor Jean-Noël Van Clooster, who sits behind the wheel of a car as confidently as a king sits on his throne. "(The point) really is to turn the engine off as little as possible, as stopping ultimately means, at some point, re-acceleration, which in turn means increased consumption." Going round the school's grounds a couple of times to illustrate his point – keeping a stable speed, only changing the gears at the last minute and always driving one gear above that necessary – Jean-Noël is quick to point to the evolutions in engine innovations, and the added possibilities these allow for in terms of driving styles.

Indeed, whereas cars 15 years ago started to rattle if you were driving in the fourth gear at 30kms / hour, today's new crop of engines allow drivers a much longer retro-grading time, resulting in a minimisation of potential stoppage times. Remember, the whole point is not to have to stop at the red light, but instead to spot it as soon as possible, slowing down consequently and letting off a little gas when the light turns to green again.

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" … if you're the type to speed down the high street in second gear chances are you're in for a couple of disapproving looks and moralising pep-talks from the responsible masses. "

Eco-driving rests on the premise that you know your car better than the back of your hand. What is its optimal round per minute count ? When will its engine start rattling away ? How comfortable does it sit in each gear ? How far can you push the car ? But eco-driving also rests, for the most part, on the driver, and his ability to work with the car to achieve a balanced driving style.

This latter point explains the use of the G Cam during the course's fi rst phase : driver appraisal. When drivers enrol in the school's program, the fi rst thing its instructors do is

03.

to allow the driver to look at himself driving, and observe his reflexes. This, as Jean-Noël tells us, "allows for a better post-analysis of the driver's performance" often deriving some eye-popping statistics which help in highlighting certain of his or her shortcomings. The second phase is where the advice comes in.

And, just to make sure it sticks, here are the tricks and tips that need to be remembered: - Get to know your car as well as possible.

- Keep a constant and stable speed.

- Stop as little as possible.

- Anticipate as much as possible.

- Keep a maximum of distance.

- Always drive one speed above.

So the next time you unnecessarily race to that red light, take a minute to remind yourself of the above…

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Controlled Skidding The All-Revealing G Cam The Eye Opening Freinographe e

64

THE BED-BOUND ISSUE

DESIGN

Cross-Town Traffic

© altreforme

Writer Nicholas Lewis

Car-loving design buffs have never had it so good. Whilst car manufacturers have embraced the design world's expertise with open arms, the latter has sometimes been slow to react to the flurry of opportunities that lie in cross-industry associations. Reassuringly though, a small yet growing breed of auto-design protagonists have slowly been coming to the fore with dreams of futuristic designs and further engineering innovations. Materials and components that traditionally were the playing toys of car engineers and technicians are increasingly being sought by product designers for their liberating possibilities and high-end fi nishes. We speak with the Fontana Group's Valentina Fontana about her fresh foray into the world of design, which comes in the form of new design outfit altreforme.

"I like the idea of starting from a process, to create something new," says the third generation family member, of her willingness to start afresh, and exploit in-house capabilities to different ends. The newly launched venture builds on the family-owned company's 50 years of automotive engineering expertise in bringing to light a cutting-edge breed of limited edition designs and other one-offs, to highlight its acquired know-how by commissioning designers to create unique pieces which draw upon everything from the group's research and development resources to its testing capabilities and manufacturing ingenuity. Put simply, altreforme gives the

possibility to the Fontana Group's engineers to prove their worth and confi rm themselves as a leading design solutions-provider for the automotive sector. Industrial showing off, one might say.

Altreforme's debut collection, presented at Design Miami 2008, includes a console table, a bookcase and a modular chair created

by Aziz Sariyer ( whose work has been picked up by Moroso and Cappellini amongst others ) as well as a mirror designed by Valentina herself. "I wanted to translate the emotions and passions of the Formula 1 world into something new for the company" tells the ex-consultant, very aware of the benefits of diversification to a company's long terms outlook, especially in times of economic hardship besetting the industry.

The fi rst thing that springs to mind when looking at the Monza mirror is its exposed fi nish, clean-flowing lines and behind-thescenes feel. Shaped in the form of the infamous Italian Fomula 1 race track – with whom the company has a five year exclusive licensing agreement – the mirror uses a thick sheet of aluminium as its frame, giving it a contour with a dramatic and sturdy fi nish. "One thing that struck me in Miami was the continued use of aluminium and its obvious future appeal" says Valentina. The mirror possesses a very demanding shape, not normally suited for aluminium use and one which makes very clear the capabilities presented by the group's

engineers and machinery. Keen to capitalise on its luxurious association – the material is favoured by clients such as BMW and Audi – the mirror and indeed the whole launch collection seems to be an homage paid to aluminium's resilience.

And what does the future hold for Valentina and her new-born altreforme ? "This fi rst collection has convinced me of the huge cross-over potential inherent in bringing the two industries closer together" says the entrepreneur-come-designer, who is already busy working on the next of altreforme's commissions – to be presented at this year's Salone Del Mobile in Milan.

DESIGN

THE CAR SPECIAL

65

dinner with directors from the British design house Established & Sons who suggested that he invite Barnard to collaborate with him.

For Woodgate, the thrill of the experience is working with someone from such a different design background. "I tell students that it's always better to look at disciplines outside your own for inspiration rather than simply looking at other people's furniture." Interest in the new materials was in there somewhere, but Woodgate insists that these played a supporting role in the design process rather than leading it. "It really was just two guys that wanted to work together. We use whatever material is the right material, there's no manifesto to work with carbon fi ber."

It is nevertheless clear that the material fascinates Woodgate. Their initial meeting was the result of a Royal Designers for Industry discussion Woodgate had staged between Barnard and the fashion designer Betty Jackson. Hoping that the pair would explore the gulf between their different areas of design, Woodgate was astonished to find them discussing the similarities. "Each

racing car is tailored," explains Woodgate. "The carbon fiber comes in rolls of fabric, and the materials are cut and laid on a mold in the same way as a Saville Row tailor would cut the cloth to wrap around the 3D form."

The uni-directional carbon fiber that makes up the Surface Table comes in lengths 300mm wide that are laid out on a glass table, abutting one another lengthwise. The assembly process is so specialized that it has to take place in clean rooms to prevent contamination. The assembled piece is then put into an autoclave – a pressurized oven - to cure, turning, in the process, from soft fabric to a solid structure. "It's very skilled, you only have a certain time to bond things together. It's all quite critical."

Despite being only 2mm thick at the edges, the Surface Table uses almost as much carbon fiber as a racing car, but for Woodgate, the point of the exercise was more aesthetic than practical. "It links in to Jasper Morrison's idea of Super Normal," he muses. "Maybe with more emphasis on the super than the normal : Superduper-normal."

SuperDuper-Ficial — Formula 1 technology meets minimalist furniture design in Terence Woodgate and John Barnard's blink-and-you'llmiss-it Surface table Writer Hettie Judah

" … the materials are cut and laid on a mold in the same way as a Saville Row tailor would cut the cloth to wrap around the 3D form. "

The table is the product of Woodgate's collaboration with racing car designer John Barnard. The pair met at a design event in 2006, and Barnard invited Woodgate to visit his factory in the South of England. "It's the old Ferrari factory," explains Woodgate. "In the mid ‘90s Ferraris were made in Guildford. John was headhunted by Ferrari after he designed the fi rst carbon fi ber monocoque and won three world titles for McLaren. He had a young family and didn't want to move to Italy, so Ferrari set up a manufacturing facility there in Guildford."

Woodgate returned from his visit somewhat green with envy. "I was so jealous of all these materials and the way they work with such precision – the titanium and Kevlar," he explains. Shortly after, he sat down to

© Kalpesh Lathigra

"Rather than produce something in an expensive material such as Carrera marble, we wanted to use state of the art aerospace technology to take a standard table and push it as far as we could structurally," explains Terence Woodgate. The British furniture designer has discovered a rather novel use for the word ‘expensive' in this context : with available list prices putting the table at over €40,000, his experiment with uni-directional carbon fiber is hardly low budget.

66

THE FEATHERED ISSUE

THE WORD ON

01.

Francorchamps — We couldn't possibly dream of doing a Car Special without being given our very own private tour of the country's automotive pride: Francorchamps' Formula 1 race track.

The scene of countless memorable races – Hakkinen's humiliation of Schumacher the most vivid – the track is apparently the longest run in the world, is preferred by pilots as the most challenging to negotiate and is moulded within a breath-taking setting.

Photography Sarah Eechaut

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FRANCORCHAMPS

THE CAR SPECIAL

03.

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Pole Positions The Writing's On The Road The World-Famous "Le Radillion" Prime Views The Control Room First On The Scene

With thanks to Marc Duez

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68

THE APATHETIC ISSUE

THE SHOWSTOPPERS

Fast and Furious — Optioned-to-the-max cars all are very well, but what about the consumerist goodies making your road trips more enjoyable, comfortable and safer affairs ? Contextualised within BMW's latest 7 Series, we were at pains to concentrate on the goodies themselves, as we simply couldn't help fi xating on the navigation system being projected on the windscreen. What cars have become…

Photography Yassin Serghini

Hermès Gloves 01.

It only seemed normal for our driver to be kitted with the fi nest pair of gloves for our drive-by ¤ Showstoppers section. Hermès' Renaud gloves are exactly the kind of hand-warming, all-gripping gloves we were after. Made of glazed lambskin leather, their soft inside gave them a mitten-like cosiness, whilst their sturdy exterior lining made them slightly more feminine companions to an otherwise testosterone-fuelled trip.

Moka 'Renaud' Gloves by Hermès – € 590.

www.hermes.com

Starbuck's Chai Tea Latte (No Water) 02.

Anti-globalisation speak aside, we hope you'll agree Belgium ¤ was in dire need of a coffeecum-takeaway chain to feed us coffee-starving masses. And not that we're particularly keen on the company's ethical stance, it seems Starbucks once again comes at the right place, at the right time – and we're not about to complain. Although its fi rst outpost is situated far out at Brussels' airport, the Venti Chai Tea Latte with no water we customarily order when in London or Paris was well-worth the trip.

FAST AND FURIOUS

THE CAR SPECIAL

V6 Gum Box 03.

We had tried Freedent's rectangular ones, as well as Stimorol's squarer alternatives – which ¤ both were equally minty fresh in their own right – but instead opted for V6's gum box for one reason and one reason only : the ability of its design to blend in with whatever car's interior – let alone that of the latest BMW 7 Series. Cylinder-shaped, easy-tograb and open, not one gum was dropped during our speed-chasing trip. www.v6.be

St Christopher 04.

How do we come out intact from our Fast-and-Furious-like trips to Ghent's Culture Club ? ¤ How come we close-to-never get parking (we said parking, not speeding) fi nes ? How do we always fi nd our car so quickly in the parking lot ? How come we never get stuck in traffic jams (unless we're late for a meeting of course) ? Well, we always have our guardian angel magnetised on our dashboard. Patron saint of travellers, St Christopher has been protecting the street-going masses ever since the fi rst cars started appearing on roads the world over. Want to make sure you get home in one piece ? Stick one on your dashboard.

Available from www.auto5.be

Apple Flavoured Magic Tree 05.

To be very honest, we'd never be caught dead in a car sporting one ¤ of these. But that would be forgetting one of this section's founding purposes: to reflect on some theme-specific novelties, and popularities. The flavoured trees – as ubiquitous in Belgium as the Ferrari sticker is in Italy – is firmly entrenched in popular car culture.

And don't ask us why. All we know is that by simply attaching one to our rear-view mirror, we instantly felt a certain sense of belonging. www.arbremagique.com

About BMW's Latest 7 Series Its engineering ingenuity and technological innovation set aside, BMW sets the record straight once again with its latest interpretation of its behemoth of a salon, the famed 7 Series. Subtly redesigned, with clean and contemporary outer lines, the 7 Series comes back with an embellished rear, and a seemingly more aerodynamic body work. Inside, the sheer versatility and all-encompassing nature of the technologies packed into the elongated Beemer gives one the sensation a 747 pilot might have when steering his baby – albeit with a wealth of assistance. Be it its near-magical and ever-so-practical navigation system projected on the windscreen, its impressive all-assembling control panel or its high-tech steering wheel, the 7 Series will require even the most ardent of car enthusiast to get a crash course in technological advancements. Not to fear though, we're sure you'll find the necessary motivation to go back to school.

69

70

THE COMATOSE ISSUE

OBJECTS

Laid to Rest — Why shouldn't funerary objects be a standard part of a designer's repertoire ?

Writer Hettie Judah

Death tends to be a subject treated fl ippantly by the design world. The charnel house is routinely raided for its symbolism – you can buy lamp stands in the shape of spinal columns, or a table formed like a coffi n. At the recent Design Miami fair, Atelier Van Lieshout presented a winged seat that closed to create a skullshaped sensory depravation chamber. Death, and the imagery surrounding it, is co-opted to give works a dark edge – but evidence of death as a simple human experience is barely apparent in most designers' portfolios.

Just because so many of them drive fast and smoke hard, why should designers be more aware of death than the rest of us ? We seem to have reconciled ourselves to paraphernalia surrounding death that speaks of another age.

We think of caskets in the Queen Anne style (itself a Victorian fantasy of an earlier time), blue and white urns reminiscent of the Ming

01.

era, and statuary with the wistful religious contortions of baroque church carvings.

There is likely something superstitious in our leaving the design of death old fashioned – it keeps it distant, and turns it into something that doesn't apply to us. Death is the kind of thing that happens to people who kit their homes out with Queen Anne furniture.

The idea that we too might die in the style we live was neatly fl ipped when the artist Joe Scanlon made a spoof IKEA-style DIY coffi n last year and offered it for sale at $27.50.

Much of our reading of the values of other civilizations comes from the representation

they made of themselves in death, from the Royal Egyptians' gilded preservation, to the tombs of the Merovingian lords buried with their horses and trappings of war.

In Europe and North America, our way of death is changing, moving away from religion and the traditions of burial, towards something more secular and possibly more personal. Great Britain has, at over 70%, one of the highest rates of cremation in the world, closely followed by Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden. Having been long frowned on by the Catholic Church, the figures are rising too elsewhere in Europe; in France cremation

LAID TO REST

DESIGN

71

02.

rates have gone from 5% in 1989 to an estimate 27% last year. The rise had reached a similar figure in Belgium.

Families often opt to keep the cremated remains in the home, or scatter them in a natural setting, rather than place an urn in a formal columbarium. As yet the inclination towards an expressive, personal style of remembrance is barely reflected by what is on the market.

In the dim, somewhat confused hubbub of the Saint Etienne Design Biennale, it was easy to overlook just about anything that didn't jump about and make a noise, but those who saw the mute glass figure in the vitrine – part space age deity, part tribal fetish – found themselves haunted by it. The work of French product designer Pierre Charpin, the piece looked explicitly like what it was – a container for human cinerary remains, rendered in white glass for a child, black for an adult.

"An urn shouldn't have to look like any other container," explained Charpin, who was inspired by the lack of established ritual surrounding cremation in France. "It shouldn't just be a pretty, elegant, well-designed box.

The form of this urn acts a little like the ghost of the departed. It's a presence in the house, an object that functions at once physically and mentally."

Charpin has worked with glass before – he spent a long period experimenting at CIRVA, the international glass research centre in Marseilles – and this strong anthropomorphic figure was the result of a commission from a young glass worker that he'd met during his time there.

Matteo Gonet spent 3 years as a glass blower and head of the "Hot Shop" at CIRVA before setting up a studio in Basel, Switzerland. Two years ago he needed an urn for the

" Death is the kind of thing that happens to people who kit their homes out with Queen Anne furniture. "

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Pierre Charpin's Urn for an Adult and Child Jean-Baptiste Sibertin-Blanc's Blanc s Colourful Urn

72

THE DILLY-DALLYING ISSUE

OBJECTS

03.

ashes of a family member. The 28-year-old had never thought about the industry surrounding death and was shocked by the disjunction between the designs on offer and the way that he might want to remember someone he loved. During a trip to Naples, he saw Roman funerary urns made in glass, and it occurred to him that he might be able to bring something on to the market for those looking for an alternative style of commemoration.

From his studio in Basel, Gonet contacted artists and designers for whom he had produced works, and commissioned them to design a glass urn for him to manufacture. As well as Pierre Charpin, the list included artists, craftspeople, glassworkers and former teachers.

While Charpin's is the most immediately haunting of the pieces, 10-piece collection is as diverse as the personalities behind it.

An equally assertive - if more abstract design was presented by Jean-Baptiste Sibertin-Blanc, creative director of Daum glass.

Vividly coloured and clear glass is set around a frame of Corian which in turn has windows cut into it leaving the ashes visible at the heart of the piece. "Cinders are symbolic after the death," explains Sibertin-Blanc, who wanted the design of the urn to reflect the process of mourning. "But maybe after three months I might want to scatter them in a natural setting and keep the object. I wanted to imagine the memory of the person, with all the colours of the glass refl ecting on the area inside when the light falls on it. I wanted to make it a very lively piece, not sad, but strong."

Alexis Georgacopolous's urn doubles as a vase. "A funerary urn is a statuary object that you use only once, it becomes an object you never touch or move," he explains. "To give

it another function makes it more visible. It's like a serious joke â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the deceased person has a role in the house â&#x20AC;&#x201C; grandmother is there to keep the fl owers."

Hubert Crevoisier's Funerary Urn for a Couple is a cocoon shaped work in translucent glass in which two chambers are joined.

As a nurse, Crevoisier had worked closely with terminally ill patients. Five years ago he gave up a career in palliative care to concentrate on his artwork and this project was strongly linked to his on-going exploration of death and dying. "The complicated things for Matteo was to blow two very similar pieces," explains Crevoisier. "With a very focused eye, you can see some differences and I like that.

It's at the junction of the two halves that the piece becomes alive."

After Saint-Etienne, Gonet's prototypes were picked up for exhibitions in the Design-

LAID TO REST

huis Eindhoven and MUDAC in Lausanne.

While fl attered by the attention, Gonet's focus is now on getting the pieces to a stage where they can be commercially produced.

Marie Garnier was already exploring modern rites of passage when Gonet approached her.

Before the glass design that she produced for him – a pair of oval shapes, one for the ashes, the other for a USB key holding personal information – she created a biodegradable urn hollowed from a loaf of bread. Within the shell of the bread, the ashes are placed on top of acorns and earth, then sealed inside with traditional red wax and ribbon. "The process set in motion by the slow growth of the oak becomes an analogy for mourning," explains Garnier. "What links the two designs is the desire to leave positive traces – the impulses contained in the USB key, and the transformative life created by the acorns."

" The third work – Carbon Copy – uses the ashes as lead for a box of pencils each stamped with the name of the deceased. "

Garnier's suggestion of new rituals for death fi nds echoes in the work of the young British designer Nadine Jarvis. "I'd never set out to design for the funeral industry," explains Jarvis. "This started as a quite abstract-look at cyclical processes and materials that degrade. The original intention wasn't to design urns, but then I started to realize that there wasn't much on offer."

Jarvis' Post Mortem Research project has resulted in three propositions. The fi rst, Rest In Pieces, is a fragile ceramic container tied to the branch of a tree. The string frays over three years or so, eventually leaving it to smash on the ground, scattering the ashes to the wind. The forces of nature are also co-opted in Bird Feeder, in which ashes are progressively released as birds peck at the walls ( for Jarvis, the idea that the birds might ingest some of the ashes carries intimations of reincarnation ).

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Hubert Crevoisier's Funerary Urn for a Couple Marie Garnier's Take on Urns Nadine Jarvis' Biodegradable Urn

DESIGN

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THE THUMB-TURNING ISSUE

06.

OBJECTS

07.

08.

The third work – Carbon Copy – uses the ashes as lead for a box of pencils each stamped with the name of the deceased. While some might fi nd this the most disconcerting of the three works, for Jarvis, it was the most personal. "The pencils pay homage to my granddad," she explains. "He was German and I couldn't communicate with him, so I'd write letters which he'd translate."

In 1997 Maureen Lomasney read an article in the San Franscisco Examiner about the rising cremation rates in California. "Mortality wasn't a subject pressing on my mind," she recalls. "I started thinking of what people were making to put the ashes in – surely there must be a whole new group of artists and artisans making beautiful urns for people ?"

After discovering almost nothing on the market, Lomasney decided that she could do something to stimulate creative work in what she felt sure was an emerging area.

In 2000 she solicited entries from art school and ateliers for the fi rst juried international exhibition of urns, reliquaries and funeral art. The response – both from artists and from the buying public – led her to create Funeria, a funerary art business that now has a dedicated gallery in Sonoma, and a Biennial in San Francisco.

"Our orders have been quadrupling every year in the past three years, so I'd say were on a very good path," explains Lomasney. "Since the gallery opened there have been many more requests for specially commissioned work." Clients visit from as far away as New York, often returning time and again to fi nd the right piece.

Lomasney suggests that Funeria offers a glimpse of practices that might become commonplace elsewhere in the world in coming decades. "The Bay Area is where natural childbirth took hold prior to doing so in the rest of the country," she explains. "Some-

thing about the West Coast liberates thinking about all stages of our lives and people are looking for opportunities to enrich those stages."

06.

07+ 08.

Nadine Jarvis Urn Sketches Nadine Jarvis' Carbon Copy

Amnesty international. proved to be effective.

000-0000070-70

www.amnesty.be

76

THE LAID-BACK ISSUE

SHELF ABSORBED

Easy Reading — In between the coffee stains, overflowing ashtray and left-over bento boxes, we managed to slot in a couple of lazy literary winners for our – and your – Sunday morning reading pleasure.

Photography Yassin Serghini Production Melisande McBurnie

EASY READING

I'm With the Brand (2008)

By Rob Walker Constable

Some have been aggravated by Rob Walker's refusal to attack the new culture of marketing –or "murketing" - that has integrated branding into almost every area of our lives, but intelligent readers will decide for themselves.

Instead, Walker focuses his energy on an exploration of the way consumers have come to defi ne their identities through brands, images and marketing ideologies. Whether you're a paid-up brand ambassador or a practitioner of "guerilla" handicrafts, this is essential reading for anyone that thinks they're too smart to be sold to. (HJ)

Club Kids (2008) Black Dog Publishing

Remove the upper crust of club culture – you know, sunglasses in clubs, designer gloss and footballers' wives' VIP areas – and underneath it all lies an actual culture, one filled with larger-than-life personalities and their often heavy-hitting creativity. Be it Beth Ditto's uncompromising yet contemporary punk attitude blurting onto our radio waves, the softly-spoken and manicured act of Spandau Ballet or even Manchester's sweaty Northern Soul all nighters, the book makes a fine job of highlighting the extremely different spectrums of the global underground club scene and its influences on mainstream pop culture. (NL) The World from My Front Porch (2008)

By Larry Towell Chris Boot

Clockwise, from Top Left.

Club Kids (Black Dog), The World from my Front Porch

by Larry Towell (Chris Boot), Process by Jennifer Husdon (Laurence King), The Doodle Notebook by Clare Fay (Thames & Hudson), I'm with the Brand by Rob Walker (Constable).

¤

Whilst fl icking through Larry Towell's impressive photographic reflection on land, home and belongings, you somehow can picture the Magnum Photographer sat on a rocking chair on his front porch, absorbing the surroundings' going-ons and plotting his recalling of it. Presented in three sections and photographed over 20 years, the book offers a before, during and after account of life around Towell's farm, the obvious centerpiece of his being. Drawing on archival imagery and historical artifacts – the book even includes Indian arrowheads found on his property – and including Towell's own motion-heavy photographs, the volume is a towering testament to the photographer's meticulous documenting streak. (NL)

CULTURE

77

Process (2008)

By Jennifer Hudson Laurence King Publishing

Essential porn for design nerds, Process documents the development of 50 products, from one-off ceramics to industrially produced furniture. Interviews with designers describe the background to the pieces with in-progress photos and sketches. While Jennifer Hudson's inclusive approach to design is laudable on its own merits, it also illuminates the range of involvement that designers have in the production of their work, from artisan designers, through technical innovators, to design "artists" who leave the practical aspects of production to the little people. (HJ) The Doodle Notebook How to Waste Time in the Office (2008)

By Claire Fay Thames & Hudson

Providing you're able to get it past the gorillas at the office entrance, this book could wellprove to be the hour-consuming office pastime you've been longing for. Indeed, gone are the days of empty friends requests on MySpace or self-absorbed status updates on Facebook.

Instead, the discerning time wasters out there will opt for this compact journal of do-nothings. Illustrated with an obvious eye on the market for design-snobs and ‘connect-the-dot' grownups, the book comprises such symbolic actions as Tippexing "irritating pests" or drawing your boss' boots and licking them as often as necessary. With The Doodle Notebook, French author and illustrator Claire Fay saves the (office) day. (NL)

78

THE IDLE ISSUE

PENCIL PERFECT

Dad should be hustling stolen car parts to his AA meeting acolytes

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It's half past ten on a Monday morning and our family of expert lazeabouts are readying for yet another day of lost thoughts and unfullfilled ambitions.

Illustration Jean-Baptiste Biche

Son hopes his new (stolen) phone allows him to surf on porn sites

THE CLAIMERS

CULTURE

79

Mum's wondering what the f$%$ you're looking at?!

Grandma wonders where it all went wrong Grandpa dreams of Ladbroke winnings

80

THE LETHARGIC ISSUE

EYE OPENER

Although he found it hard to get off the bed, photographer Dirk Leunis perfectly managed to capture the free-floating numbness of one too many afternoons spent in a motel room, emptily watching the time go by as easily as bad TV. Photography Dirk Leunis

GIRLFRIEND, I'M IN A TV COMA

CULTURE

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THE LISTLESS ISSUE

EYE OPENER

GIRLFRIEND, I'M IN A TV COMA

CULTURE

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THE UNCONCERNED ISSUE

EYE OPENER

Model Delfi ne Bafort

GIRLFRIEND, I'M IN A TV COMA

CULTURE

Make-up Paul Hillewaere for Korres Styling Hilde Destoop

Imaging ChĂŠ for Confronteerlijk Props Kringwinkel SPIT

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THE SOMNOLENT ISSUE

THE WORD ON THE STREET

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; We found in Barbrabbit's illustrative touch a memory of the hours passed doodling away during class. Explicit yet self-reflective, her take on lazy living extends to a world of odd creatures and ever odder contexts.

Illustration Barbrabbit

I CAN'T BE BOTHERED

CULTURE

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THE UNCONCERNED ISSUE

THE WORD ON THE STREET

I CAN'T BE BOTHERED

CULTURE

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THE REMOTE CONTROL ISSUE

THE WORD ON THE STREET

The Word Magazine <theguys@thewordmagazine.be> 23rd December 2008 15:28 Reply to: theguys@thewordmagazine.be To: delphine.dupont@gmail.com; pleaseletmedesign <oh@pleaseletmedesign.com> Subject: Lazy Issue's Playlists.

pleaseletmedesign's Playlist The Mae Shi — I Get Almost Everything Les Singlets — Party!

Human Highway — Sleep Talking Joakim — Come Into My Kitchen Lykke Li — Little Bit Man Man — The Ballad Of Butter Beans The Morning Benders — Wasted Time Mr Oizo — Bruce Willis Is Dead Oh No Oh My — Go To Work Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin — Think I Wanna Die

Jean Biche's Playlist Blonde Redhead — Top Ranking Metronomy — On Dancefloors Le Club des Chats — Yes Madame The Buggles — Elstree Valérie Lemercier & Pascal Borel — J'ai un mari Mr Oizo — W Deux — Le couloir Silver Apples — Seagreen Serenades Todd Rundgren — I Don't Wanna Tie You Down Philippe Sarde — Cesar et rosalie (Movie Soundtrack)

Sarah's Playlist Silversun Pickups — Lazy Eye Brazilian Girls — L'Interprete Gustavo Santaolalla — Deportation / Iguazu Bonnie 'Prince' Billy — Wolf Among Wolves The Blow — True Affection Gorillaz — Hong Kong Elliott Smith — Between the Bars Bon Iver — Lump Sum Fleetwood Mac — Dreams PJ Harvey — White Chalk

Karen's Playlist Aimée Mann — Looking for Nothing Bjork — Dull Flame of Desire Amy Macdonald — Poison Prince X — Burning House of Love Sparks — This Town ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us Smiths — Girlfriend in a Coma Crystal Castles — Untrust us Nick Drake — Northern Sky Dear Sir Galahad — Joan Baez

1 of 1

23/12/08 15:45

Yes, We’ve Sold Out !

(And now that we've got your attention, hear this) Starting with The Word's January-February 2009 Issue Receiving six issues of The Word at home will cost you € 18

Why ?

Because the postman isn't free.

What You Need to do Transfer € 18 to bank account 363-0257432-34 to continue receiving The Word at home in 2009.

The Word still is a free magazine (for our many distribution points go online at www.thewordmagazine.be).

The € 18 merely represents the cost of getting it delivered at home.

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THE MADE-IN-THE-DARK ISSUE

STOCKISTS AND OTHERS WE LOVE

Stockistsâ&#x20AC;Ś and Others We Love A

Alfa Romeo www.alfaromeo.be Alice Gallery www.alicebxl.com Altreforme www.altreforme.com American Apparel www.americanapparel.net L'Ancienne Belgique www.abconcerts.be

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Dom Perignon www.domperignon.com +32 (0)2 372 96 18

Leonardo Specials www.leonardospecials.nl Louis Vuitton www.louisvuitton.com +32 (0)2 551 10 10

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Big Game www.big-game.ch

Nike www.nike.com

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Pascal Smet www.pascalsmet.be Patrizia Pepe www.patriziapepe.com +32 (0)2 217 35 22

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Waffl es www.ilovewaffles.be The Winery www.wineryonline.be

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Ieva Laurina www.ievalaurina.com

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Chris Boot www.chrisboot.com Constable Robinson www.constablerobinson.com

Implicite www.implicite-lingerie.com +32 (0)2 347 28 85 Innovation www.inno.be

Cook & Book www.cookandbook.be J

Cosmeticary www.cosmeticary.com

Juicy Couture www.juicycouture.com K

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Racing to Nowhere www.maitriseautomobile.com Rosenthal www.rosenthal.com Rue Blanche www.rueblanche.com +32 (0)2 451 50 81 Ruinart +32 (0)2 372 96 18 Sonia Rykiel www.soniarykiel.com +32 (0)2 502 08 13

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Zadig & Voltaire www.zadig-et-voltaire.com +32 (0)2 514 24 40

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THE WASTED ISSUE

ADVERTISERS' ROUND UP

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opening: June 2009

Contemporary art is contagious

Brillant Black Edition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Box Calf, Glazed finish calf with square markings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 50 examples

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Following success in London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Amsterdam and Paris, the AAF is coming to Brussels! A selection of 65 local and international galleries will represent over 300 known and emerging artists, with all artworks priced under ` 5000.

AAF is the fab, funky fair where visitors can look at, love and leave with contemporary art.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

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page 23

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Smeds Ensemble + KVS

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KVS www.kvs.be

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Aspria www.aspriaclub.be

Frey Wille www.frey-wille.com

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Affordable Art Fair Brussels Contemporary art under E 5000 - 65 Galleries 12-15 February 2009 Tour & Taxis - Brussels www.affordableartfair.be

Ticket 12` (free under 18)

AAF www.affordableartfair.be

ADVERTISERS' ROUND UP

page 56

page 61

THE LASTS

97

page 75

IF THE NEW 407 SW HAS EXCEPTIONAL ROAD-HOLDING, IT IS BECAUSE WE PUSH PERFECTIONISM THAT LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

TO ADD A CLOUD (but not too big)

TOO BLURRED (DECREASE 10%)

THERE’S A TRICK, JUST THERE

MORE YELLOW

TO MOVE THE ROCK SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT TO ERASE THE FINGERS’ MARKS

A BIT LESS GREY

Amnesty international. proved to be effective.

SHADOW IS TOO DARK

www.peugeot.be

by Peugeot gathers a set of technologies dedicated to road-holding, like the front axle with double wishbone and a linked hub carrier which brings a sharp of letting in curves, the 407 benefits an exceptional road behaviour. The new 407 SW also exists in berline version.

New

PEUGEOT. ENGINEERED TO BE ENJOYED.

000-0000070-70

Fuel consumption from 5,3 to 8,5 l/100 km - CO2 emissions from 140 to 225 g/km.

295x210_PM _New407SW_UK.indd 1

1/6/09 2:07:10 PM

www.amnesty.be

AMNESTY_TShirt_A4THEWORDMAG.indd 1

Peugeot www.peugeot.be

Café Modèle www.aperos.be

Amnesty international www.amnesty.org

page 91

page 93

page 95

Yes, We’ve Sold Out !

(And now that we've got your attention, hear this) Starting with The Word's January-February 2009 Issue Receiving six issues of The Word at home will cost you € 18

Why ?

Because the postman isn't free.

What You Need to do Transfer € 18 to bank account 363-0257432-34 to continue receiving The Word at home in 2009.

The Word still is a free magazine (for our many distribution points go online at www.thewordmagazine.be).

The € 18 merely represents the cost of getting it delivered at home.

Colophon www.colophon2009.com

The Word www.thewordmagazine.be

page 99

page 100 &

M E R C I E R

&

M E

Photo © Jim Wright

B A U M E

It’s TIME to make a difference. To learn more about how Baume & Mercier and ASHTON KUTCHER contribute to programs that improve education for our children, seek to cure cancer and protect the environment, please visit: www.baume-et-mercier.com

AALST: JUWELIER ZWITSERLAND - ANTWERPEN: HORLOGES SLAETS - BRUSSEL: TOLLET JOAILLIERS - BRASSCHAAT: SPOOREN JUWELIERS - GENT : BOUVERNE • JUWELIER LEFEBVRE - HASSELT: ORYE - KOKSIJDE: DE RUBAULT - KORTRIJK: NYS JUWELIERS - OOSTENDE: QUINTYN - ROESELARE: POOLS - SINT NIKLAAS: MARTENS JUWELIER - TONGEREN: EDDY HELEVEN JUWELIERS - TURNHOUT: HUYBRECHTS JUWELIER - WAREGEM: JUWELIER HAESEVOETS - WETTEREN: KRIS BAELE

CLASSIMA EXECUTIVES

Taste our knowledge wisely.

INFO BAUME & MERCIER : +32 2 533 15 33 - INFO.BENELUX@BAUME-ET-MERCIER.COM

Baume & Mercier www.baume-et-mercier.com

Veuve Clicquot www.veuve-clicquot.com

Tamarind foods www.tamarindfoods.be

5/01/09 17:13:04

98

THE BIG LEBOWSKI ISSUE

Seen through a yellow-dimed projector, our Cinematic Issue is on its way to winning itself an Oscar. Filmed and canned in Brussels, but soon-to-be-banned in the rest of the world, our motionon-print issue features :

WHAT'S NEXT

An insider’s look into catering to the cinema industry.

A photo-essay on peeping cinemas and the legend that is Dennis Black Magic.

A feature on the business of pop corn.

A reflective essay on the quest to being discovered.

Our very own attempt at Guerrilla fi lmmaking.

A survey of the myriads of Belgian fi lm festivals.

A focus on independent cinema houses.

A list of our top ten suicide-inducing Belgian movies.

Our Fashion Special.

As well as our usual crop of selected goodies, regular features and outbursts of creativity.

Oh, and we’ll also be sending out a limited-edition DVD to all our subscribers. Get the hint ? Subscribe !

The Word’s Cinematic Issue Out 6th March 2009 Coming soon to a Theatre near You

&

M E R C I E R

&

M E

Photo © Jim Wright

B A U M E

It’s TIME to make a difference. To learn more about how Baume & Mercier and ASHTON KUTCHER contribute to programs that improve education for our children, seek to cure cancer and protect the environment, please visit: www.baume-et-mercier.com

AALST: JUWELIER ZWITSERLAND - ANTWERPEN: HORLOGES SLAETS - BRUSSEL: TOLLET JOAILLIERS - BRASSCHAAT: SPOOREN JUWELIERS - GENT : BOUVERNE • JUWELIER LEFEBVRE - HASSELT: ORYE - KOKSIJDE: DE RUBAULT - KORTRIJK: NYS JUWELIERS - OOSTENDE: QUINTYN - ROESELARE: POOLS - SINT NIKLAAS: MARTENS JUWELIER - TONGEREN: EDDY HELEVEN JUWELIERS - TURNHOUT: HUYBRECHTS JUWELIER - WAREGEM: JUWELIER HAESEVOETS - WETTEREN: KRIS BAELE INFO BAUME & MERCIER : +32 2 533 15 33 - INFO.BENELUX@BAUME-ET-MERCIER.COM

CLASSIMA EXECUTIVES

Taste our knowledge wisely.