Brussels offers me the diversity and roughness that I need
**Name: Simon Breynaert
Pronouns: he
Age: 19
Star sign: lobster
Hometown: Brussels
Different Class member since: September 2021**
Tell us, what do you do in life?
Making things. I'm studying free arts at LUCA School of Arts in Brussels and this is in line with my day-to-day interest and fascination. I am a driven and passionate worker and I love nothing more than being busy with all kinds of things. By working I mean making sculptures, drawings, films, photos, T-shirts, stickers, logos, covers, edits, performance, and lately books. The visual is a way of thinking and processing, giving expressions to the daily impressions and the context in which I (we) live. But I also enjoy making food for people I love and making beautiful walks and bike rides.
What do you like most about your hometown?
My parents are divorced and I have a studio in Brussels. This means that I usually have three places to live during the week: Brussels (kot), Ternat (Mama) and Denderleeuw (Papa). The nomadic life is difficult and busy but it offers me a lot of diversity in conversations and atmospheres. With my parents I reflect differently each time on the works I made past weeks, they are equal sources of inspiration and peace. Denderleeuw is the perfect place to reflect on my work with my father, Ternat is absolutely beautiful for a walk in the countryside, and I haven't even started with Brussels. I have been living in Brussels for 1.5 years now with my two best friends. Brussels offers me the diversity and roughness that I need as a young adult. The city’s grandeur fascinates me greatly and I feel at home there to indulge and explore.
By working I mean making sculptures, drawings, films, photos, T-shirts, stickers, logos, covers, edits, performance, and lately books
What kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
I am an incredible fan of Nils Frahm. He is a contemporary experimental composer. He creates beautiful, atmospheric melodies that provide both great energy and comfort. No need to say more about it, the music speaks very much for itself. I also really like to listen to very solid music, but that's for another time....
What is the first record you bought?
None, I don't have the record fascination yet. But I did buy CDs in the past. I doubt very much if it was one of Queen or one of Michael Jackson.
What is your favourite pastime?
It's such an arsenal of things that interact, but if I really have to choose I might have to pick the one I've already done the most in my life and that's drawing. Nothing better than you, your stilo (or whatever) and your book (or whatever). Drawing lines and making shapes through a simple hand movement. It is also always the medium that connects my different works. It is so pure and offers me many insights about myself and my work.
Nothing better than you, your stilo and your book
Guilty pleasures?
Far too many, I'll spare you that book. Also maybe for next time ;)
If you could become famous, what kind of celebrity would you be?
Someone who makes people laugh. By playing the fool once in a while, the laugh automatically appears on the other person and actually in yourself. But for this, I don't have to be famous.
Have you recently regretted anything?
Every day I regret something, but that's okay, tomorrow is another day. But yes, lately I have regretted not telling my feelings to others. Even though I'm pretty open and it doesn't normally bother me that much. It's stuck.
Which future Different Class event are you looking forward to?
A.J. Lode Janssens - A Balloon Home at CIVA. It fascinates me because Janssens has isolated himself from society, something that actually suited me quite well in the first and heaviest lockdown. The pure concentration, fascination, drive, power, emotions, rhythms, ... everything is very intense when you embrace that situation. I read that he is also interested in architecture and that always appeals to me. My work starts from different concepts, but architecture will always be connected to it in very different ways.
To whom do you want to give credit?
Damn, bro everyone! But two people in particular. My parents. I think the respect and care, the upbringing, the examples and interests, the love and will, the possibilities, ... have brought me a long way. I can't thank them enough, They are likewise my best friends and greatest examples. They are difficult but very important. As I am a part of them, they are mine.
A.J. Lode Janssens - A Balloon Home
Free as a Different Class member until 23 March
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