2_3_DiscoverBenelux_Issue14_January2015_Scan Magazine 1 26/01/2015 19:19 Page 62

Discover Benelux |  Culture |  Columns

Art without a capital TEXT: MATT ANTONIAK  |  PHOTO: NBTC

London is the arts capital of Britain, Paris the arts capital of France, but where is the arts  capital  of  Belgium  and  the  Netherlands? The truth is, there is no standout candidate for this title. Instead, the whole region  is  one  great  big  bubbling  artistic hub,  that  nurtures  both  a  home-grown scene  and  attracts  international aficionados. 

ent.  S.M.A.K  in  Ghent,  Zeno  X  and  Tim Van Laere in Antwerp continue to provide blockbuster exhibitions year on year, featuring the likes of established artists Marlene  Dumas,  Luc  Tuymans  and  Berlinde de  Bruckyere,  whilst  the  remarkable Dhondt-Dhaenens  in  the  tiny  village  of

Brussels  and  Amsterdam  are  of course big players, but in no way do  they  dwarf  the  rest  of  the  region. The Hague is home to the illustrious Mauritshuis and Rotterdam  has  Boijmans  van  Beuningen:  two  monolithic  art  institutions. There is still much more on offer in the form of contemporary galleries dotted around that pull in big names and promote local tal-

Deurle  is  testament  to  just  how  thriving the  art  scene  is  in  the  region,  hosting names  like  Maria  Lassnig  and  Sterling Ruby within the past 12 months.  Most  importantly,  and  the  driving  force behind this booming arts scene, are the galleries  that  showcase  the  glut  of  talented  young  artists  in  the  region. Naming Witte de With, BAK,  Croxhapox and Lokaal01 is to just dip your toe into the ocean of other galleries  that  continue  to  push  art forward from the grassroots. These are  the  key  factors  that  keep  Belgium and the Netherlands an artistic  stronghold  within  Europe,  and the  indeed  the  world.  Long  may  it continue!

How to get rich in the Netherlands TEXT: SIMON WOOLCOT |  PHOTO: NBTC

There are two almost guaranteed ways to get rich in the Netherlands 1. Open a bakery 2. Invent a spread to put on bread You may wonder why I suggest these two options.  The  Dutch  are  the  largest  consumers  of  bread  and  all  things  to  put  on bread on planet Earth and probably beyond. If you walk into any supermarket, you will see an  entire  aisle  dedicated  to  all  manner  of things to spread and sprinkle on bread. The creativity on display here is amazing: chocolate  or  forest  fruit  flavoured  flakes (really),  Mexican,  tomato  cucumber,  and many other exotic acquired taste spreads. The Dutch take their sandwich flavours seriously, go to the spread section of any su-

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permarket and you’ll see flavour connoisseurs  acting  as  if  they  are  choosing  fine wine  in  a  Bordeaux  vineyard.  “Shall  I choose peanut butter, chocolate flakes or a Mexican sandwich spread?” The selection of spreads and flavours available is breathtaking. Below a small sample. - Mediterranean - Tomatoes and onions - Courgette curry  Another, little known fact about Dutch culinary tastes that often comes as a shock to expats is that at lunchtime it’s quite common to see grown men and women eating slices  of  bread  covered  with  chocolate flakes.  The  combination  of  savoury  and sweet goes down very well here, and is a

firm favourite and offered in nearly all workplace canteens. Decisions,  decisions.  Forget  investing  in stocks,  invent  a  sandwich  spread.  The more  appalling  it  sounds,  the  more  likely you are to have a success on your hands. Happy investing.  amsterdamshallowman.com