Searching for the soul of the city
Brussels: City of Cartoons
By Hans Karssenberg
20-12-2006 /views: 3254 in past 12 months.
Cartoons are deep in the Soul of Brussels. They are now depicted with over 30 examples of Brussels Cartoon Murals.
Ric Hochet/Rik Ringers (Tibet/Duchateau), No. 9 R de Bon Secours, Brussels Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
What do cartoons Tintin (Hergé), The Smurfs (Peyo), Spirou (Rob-Vel), Lucky Luke (Morris), Gaston Lagaffe (Franquin) and Blake and Mortimer (Edgar P. Jacobs) have in common?
They all sprang from Brussels.
With the Cartoon Museum, the Cartoon Film Festival and the Cartoon Murals turning up on walls throughout Brussels, there is every reason for Inspiring Cities’s Cult Up Your City to publish about this City of Cartoons. With over 30 examples of Brussels Cartoon Murals.
Gaston Lagaffe and his hyperactive cat Photo by Maltesen An ancient Brussels tradition? Photo by IanDolphin24
Comic Strip Publishing Houses
Many of them came about by the comic book editor and magazine publishing houses of Dupuis, Lombard and Casterman in Brussels. Dupuis started publishing the weekly magazine Spirou in 1938; Lombard the weekly Tintin in 1946. Originally intended for the Belgium audience, they soon conquered France, and then, in a post war boom, the rest of the world. Hergé leads with several hundred million comic books printed.
Cartoonists per square km
But there seems to be more. The whole of Brussels, and perhaps the whole of Belgium, seems to be cartoon-strip mad. The Center for Cartoon Strips in Brussels inventories 650 professional comic artists in Belgium. For a country of only 10 million inhabitants, this constitutes the largest concentration of cartoonists per square kilometre in the world.
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre
Walking the streets of Brussels, you encounter cartoon stores selling Tintin paraphernalia. And, there is a real museum: the Belgian Comic Strip Centre. It houses in a former department store built by Belgian Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, covering over 4,000 square meter of original scripts, memorabilia, models and animations.
Cartoon Shops Photo by Victor de la Fuente The Cartoon Museum Photo by Maltesen.jpg
Anima
There is the annual Brussels Cartoon and Animated Film Festival “Anima” has 9 days hosting animated films (the next one takes place from 16 – 25 February 2007). It is organised by Folioscope, that is a partner of the museum.
Up to 50 Murals
And since a few years, the love for strip cartoons has become manifest in the streets of Brussels by a special project, creating huge cartoon-strip murals in the streetscapes of this city that could be called the capital of Europe. Organised by the Brussels city authorities, with the help of the Belgian Comic Strip Centre.
The aim of this "Comic Strip Tour" is to have current Belgian cartoon artists paint original murals on the walls of certain buildings in the center of town. The theme of the comic mural usually holds some kind of relation with that specific area of Brussels.
Two maps of the Comic Strip Parcours showing the murals through Brussels. Click on the images to download the maps.
The End of an Era?
Hergé died in 1983, Edgar P. Jacobs in 1987, Rob-Vel in 1991, Peyo in 1992, Franquin in 1997 and Morris in 2001. The end of an era? Maybe not, the comics are being very well read, and the people from Brussels cherish their past in the streetscapes of their city. Perhaps they will start seeing themselves as comic capital of the world as well. Marc Renders of the Comic Strip Centre: "The Belgian comic strip sector is more and more developing and positively influencing the tourism and local cultural activities. The comic strip is one of Brussels’ most attracting cultural activities."
That is why, with the help of many photographers from www.flickr.com, Inspiring Cities’s Cult Up Your City pays homage to this cityscape cartoon project by publishing most of the cartoon murals below.
Special thanks goes to Lin Mei, who spent several hours collecting most of the Murals, and gave us permission to publish; and to Alexander Sandberg Van Boelens, who tipped us for the article. And thanks to Marc Renders of the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, who helped correct the mistakes of this article's first version!
Links
> Belgian Comic Strip Centre (the museum)
> Anima, the Brussels Annual Cartoon and Animated Film Festival
> Comic strip fans community website
> Hergé @ WikiPedia
> Peyo @ WikiPedia
> Rob-Vel @ WikiPedia
> Morris @ WikiPedia
> Franquin @ WikiPedia
> Edgar P. Jacobs @ WikiPedia
Oliver Rameau/Roze Bottel (Dany), No. 5 Rue du Chene Victor Sackville (Francis Carin), No. 60 Kolenmarkt, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Siutung www.flickr.com/photos/siutung/11230143/
Broussaille/Ragebol (Frank Pe), Plattesteen, Brussels Photo: Rokos Frangos
Photo: Siutung flickr.com/photos/siutung/11230026/ www.flickr.com/photos/strangebehaviour/sets/
Caroline Baldwin (A. Taymans), No. 10 Place de Ninove Monsieur Jean (Dupuy & Berberian), No. 28 Rue des Bogards
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo Lee Braverman, photos/lbraverm/199759386/
Nick (Hermann), Rue de la Senne, Brussels Le Scorpion (Desberg/Marini), No. 14 Treurenberg
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Bob & Bobette/Suske & Wiske (Vandersteen), Rue de Laeken Billy the Cat (Colman / Desberg), No. 24 Rue d'Ophem
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Angel / Engel (Yslaire), No. 21 Rue de Chartreux Lucky Luke (Morris), Rue de la Buanderie, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Le Passage/De Doorgang (F Schuiten), Kolenmarkt Le Jeune Albert (Chaland), No. 49 Rue des Alexiens
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Isabelle et/en Calendula (Will), Rue de la Verdure Proje(c)t Terre-Neuve (Vandermeulen), 107 Rue Terre-Neuve
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Le Chat/De Kat (Geluck), Boulevard du Midi Blondin & Cirage (Jije), No. 15 Rue des Capucins
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Boule et Bill/Bollie en Billie (Roba), Rue du Chevreuil Le Petit Jojo/Jojo (Andre Ceerts), Rue Pieremans, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Passe moi l'ciel (Colman/Desberg), No. 91 rue des Minimes La Patrouille des CASTORS de beverpatroelje (Mitacq)
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com No. 200 Rue Blaesstraat, Brussels Photo: Lin Mei
Odilon Verjus (L. Verron), No. 13 Rue des Capucins Around Grand Place Photo L.H. Macha
Photo L.H. Macha,flickr.com/photos/lhmacha/155249452 flickr.com/photos/lhmacha/155249593/
Poster, Marolles Brussels Photo: Rokos Frangos Photo: Till Westermayer
www.flickr.com/photos/strangebehaviour/sets/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/tillwe/26185120/
Blake and Mortimer
Photo: Hans Karssenberg
Cubitus / Dommel (Dupa), No. 109 Rue de Flandre Neron/Nero (Marc Sleen), Place St-Gery, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Asterix & Obelix (Goscini), Rue de la Buanderie, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Cartoon Shops Photo by Victor de la Fuente The Cartoon Museum Photo by Maltesen.jpg
Anima
There is the annual Brussels Cartoon and Animated Film Festival “Anima” has 9 days hosting animated films (the next one takes place from 16 – 25 February 2007). It is organised by Folioscope, that is a partner of the museum.
Up to 50 Murals
And since a few years, the love for strip cartoons has become manifest in the streets of Brussels by a special project, creating huge cartoon-strip murals in the streetscapes of this city that could be called the capital of Europe. Organised by the Brussels city authorities, with the help of the Belgian Comic Strip Centre.
The aim of this "Comic Strip Tour" is to have current Belgian cartoon artists paint original murals on the walls of certain buildings in the center of town. The theme of the comic mural usually holds some kind of relation with that specific area of Brussels.
Two maps of the Comic Strip Parcours showing the murals through Brussels. Click on the images to download the maps.
The End of an Era?
Hergé died in 1983, Edgar P. Jacobs in 1987, Rob-Vel in 1991, Peyo in 1992, Franquin in 1997 and Morris in 2001. The end of an era? Maybe not, the comics are being very well read, and the people from Brussels cherish their past in the streetscapes of their city. Perhaps they will start seeing themselves as comic capital of the world as well. Marc Renders of the Comic Strip Centre: "The Belgian comic strip sector is more and more developing and positively influencing the tourism and local cultural activities. The comic strip is one of Brussels’ most attracting cultural activities."
That is why, with the help of many photographers from www.flickr.com, Inspiring Cities’s Cult Up Your City pays homage to this cityscape cartoon project by publishing most of the cartoon murals below.
Special thanks goes to Lin Mei, who spent several hours collecting most of the Murals, and gave us permission to publish; and to Alexander Sandberg Van Boelens, who tipped us for the article. And thanks to Marc Renders of the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, who helped correct the mistakes of this article's first version!
Links
> Belgian Comic Strip Centre (the museum)
> Anima, the Brussels Annual Cartoon and Animated Film Festival
> Comic strip fans community website
> Hergé @ WikiPedia
> Peyo @ WikiPedia
> Rob-Vel @ WikiPedia
> Morris @ WikiPedia
> Franquin @ WikiPedia
> Edgar P. Jacobs @ WikiPedia
Oliver Rameau/Roze Bottel (Dany), No. 5 Rue du Chene Victor Sackville (Francis Carin), No. 60 Kolenmarkt, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Siutung www.flickr.com/photos/siutung/11230143/
Broussaille/Ragebol (Frank Pe), Plattesteen, Brussels Photo: Rokos Frangos
Photo: Siutung flickr.com/photos/siutung/11230026/ www.flickr.com/photos/strangebehaviour/sets/
Caroline Baldwin (A. Taymans), No. 10 Place de Ninove Monsieur Jean (Dupuy & Berberian), No. 28 Rue des Bogards
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo Lee Braverman, photos/lbraverm/199759386/
Nick (Hermann), Rue de la Senne, Brussels Le Scorpion (Desberg/Marini), No. 14 Treurenberg
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Bob & Bobette/Suske & Wiske (Vandersteen), Rue de Laeken Billy the Cat (Colman / Desberg), No. 24 Rue d'Ophem
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Angel / Engel (Yslaire), No. 21 Rue de Chartreux Lucky Luke (Morris), Rue de la Buanderie, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Le Passage/De Doorgang (F Schuiten), Kolenmarkt Le Jeune Albert (Chaland), No. 49 Rue des Alexiens
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Isabelle et/en Calendula (Will), Rue de la Verdure Proje(c)t Terre-Neuve (Vandermeulen), 107 Rue Terre-Neuve
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Le Chat/De Kat (Geluck), Boulevard du Midi Blondin & Cirage (Jije), No. 15 Rue des Capucins
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Boule et Bill/Bollie en Billie (Roba), Rue du Chevreuil Le Petit Jojo/Jojo (Andre Ceerts), Rue Pieremans, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Passe moi l'ciel (Colman/Desberg), No. 91 rue des Minimes La Patrouille des CASTORS de beverpatroelje (Mitacq)
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com No. 200 Rue Blaesstraat, Brussels Photo: Lin Mei
Odilon Verjus (L. Verron), No. 13 Rue des Capucins Around Grand Place Photo L.H. Macha
Photo L.H. Macha,flickr.com/photos/lhmacha/155249452 flickr.com/photos/lhmacha/155249593/
Poster, Marolles Brussels Photo: Rokos Frangos Photo: Till Westermayer
www.flickr.com/photos/strangebehaviour/sets/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/tillwe/26185120/
Blake and Mortimer
Photo: Hans Karssenberg
Cubitus / Dommel (Dupa), No. 109 Rue de Flandre Neron/Nero (Marc Sleen), Place St-Gery, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
Asterix & Obelix (Goscini), Rue de la Buanderie, Brussels
Photo: Lin Mei, www.cre8pix.com
On Friday 28 November 2009, Erik Krikortz visited Inspiring Cities and Stipo in Amsterdam for a lecture on his project Emotional Cities. On a website
Thursday 10-12-2009 is the second Inspiring Cities Night in Amsterdam. Topic: The Urban Screenscape, the use of urban screens in the public domain.
The highlights of an Inspiring Cities salon in Rotterdam, June 3td 2009.
The 29th October 2009 was Inspiring Cities night in Amsterdam. Approximately 40 people talked, dreamed and laughed about possible applications for aug
Inspiring Cities organises Jane Jacobs day in Rotterdam (31st of October 2009).
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