Fotofever

Last Sunday I went to Fotofever in Brussels. The event was held in the Tour and Taxi- a beautiful building which hosts many prestigious event but which is situated in an area with a rather deprived part of town. I attended the event with my friend who has a very conventional sense of beauty. It was interesting to see her negative reaction towards somber pictures of the cityscape. My personal opinion is that these pictures are beautiful because they remind you that routine sights in your life can be perceived very differently by people seeing them for the first time. Everyday objects have a history and character associated with them which makes them intriguing. I would prefer to look at an ugly something than a beautiful nothing. My friend completely disagrees and it was very interesting to see such a difference in aesthetics. Her reaction to conventional beauty was overwhelming- even mood enhancing! We both agreed that the ironically staged photos and humorously garish ones were quite good. At least we agreed on something!

Returning from the exhibition to my friend’s home nearby, we noticed an abundance of chic art galleries and modern-design furniture stores.  An investment in infrastructure was also clear in the area with new tram lines being built (and abruptly ending- oh Belgium!). It was my first time witnessing the gentrification process, which frequently occurs in cities like New York, in action. It must be an even stranger event for the people who live there. But then that is the nature of things- they change!

A bientot,

Niamh