(credits)
(credits)
What you see above is one of the most talked about topics in Brussels and has even made it to international media. Instead of the real tree that usually adorns the city’s Grand Place during the holidays, this year the City Council decided to dabble in the modern arts and try something new.
The result is called “Xmas 3”, a 24 meter high electronic structure made mostly of steel. For 4 euros, you can even climb it and get a 360° view of the UNESCO-protected square.
(what the usual tree looks like – credits)
As you can imagine, it wasn’t a popular decision. Since its inauguration, around 25,000 signatures have been collected in an online petition against it, and it has been a recurrent topic in the media. The reasons that lead to the decision of doing away with the tradition tree vary. While the official stand is that it’s a way to show-case the city’s “avant-garde character”, others believe it’s a politically correct choice, so as not to offend non-Christians, especially Muslims. This sparkled a lot of debate about larger social issues.
Whatever the reasons, no one is indifferent to it. I’ve heard it called “The Scaffolding” and “The Pharmacy” because when green the glowing cubes look like the popular green cross.
What say you?
A video of the daily light show around the tree (it’s quite a sight…)
18 comments
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December 20, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Joanna @ CreateYourWorld
I made sure to go see it in person and it is horrendous! I wanted to like it, I really did, but it’s just ugly. 😦
December 20, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Liburuak
I agree with Joanna. The pictures don’t even give it credit, it almost looks nice in them. I saw it the day before yesterday and couldn’t believe my eyes. From up close, to me, it looked exactly like scaffolding and not at all like a Christmas tree. Plus, they have the audacity to charge you money, 4€ no less, to go up. That’s just stingy and annoying. I love contemporary art, but this is just awful.
The light show is beautiful though, I enjoyed how they lit up the historic buildings.
December 20, 2012 at 6:52 pm
John
I don’t particularly like it, but I equate it with those pink aluminum Christmas trees, They’re not my thing, but to each their own. I don’t see a problem with Brussels mixing it up once in a while (to keep the pink aluminum people happy).
As for not offending Muslims, it’s still representative of a Christmas tree, is it not?
December 20, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Marg
Oh my. That is ……. interesting?
It seems quite out of place in that setting. I get why they would want to do something different but there’s different and there’s that!
Thanks for sharing on the Advent Tour.
December 20, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Larissa
The main point is it’s ugly. The controversy on religion is a small one as it’s clearly not the real issue. But the problem with spending much more for that than for the traditional tree, especially nowadays, is indeed problematic…
December 20, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Patty
I just want the tree back…
December 20, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Gemma
I have not seen it in person so perhaps it is unfair for me to comment. One thing I will say is I love that it is such a talking point… And that it apparently has the ability to make people think and take action!
December 20, 2012 at 11:06 pm
readingwithtea
Hideous. And as a Christian… I don’t think there is anything particularly Christian about a standard spruce or pine tree? So not sure where the political correctness is coming from there.
December 21, 2012 at 9:03 am
Leeswammes
I like it, the contrast between modern and old is great. I hope they didn’t choose it to be “politically correct”, though. I HATE PC!!
December 21, 2012 at 9:04 am
Leeswammes
Oh, I should add I didn’t see the thing in person. On the picture, it looks OK.
December 21, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Andre
I.. Dunno… Honestly… its just killing the tradition without really any benefit..
December 21, 2012 at 6:27 pm
joyweesemoll
Interesting. Definitely a good conversation starter. I rather like all the pictures in this post so apparently I’m easy to please. The traditional tree really fits in the scene but the sculpture does display the avant-garde.
December 21, 2012 at 7:03 pm
sprite
Must be your photography. I think it looks kind of cool (although I wouldn’t want it every year).
December 21, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Mathieu
i love the tree … sorry 🙂
December 22, 2012 at 9:25 pm
readerbuzz
Beautiful! I like it.
December 26, 2012 at 11:57 pm
sakura
Ooh, I’m not sure I like it. But I do have a love/hate relationship with modern art!
December 30, 2012 at 10:40 am
This is Belgium
glad to discover your blog !
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