Two musicians from the Brussels art Academy ‘Kunstacademie Brussel’ were in concert at the Sewers Museum at the Anderlecht Gate in the City of Brussels on Saturday afternoon. ‘This was a stunt to put Brussels in the news, but in a positive way, for once. We are making art at the lowest point of the city, in the underground sewers.’
‘It had seemed like an original challenge to mark Academies Day, a day when part-time art education is in the spotlight,’ explain Bianca and Sander from the Brussels Capital Arts Academy.
‘Not only do we play music at the lowest point of Brussels, but we also chose musical instruments that sound the lowest notes, the contrabass. It's a feast for the senses. Besides the beautiful music, you're left with the pungent smell of the sewers. We really didn't think the stench was going to be so strong!’
Poor sound
The music sounded very special in the sewers, explains Miguel Mulders, a contrabass teacher and musician with the Belgian National Orchestra. ‘This is the most unique venue I have ever played. At first, I wasn’t too keen, the smell is disappointing too. But I let myself be convinced. To be perfectly honest, the sound was disappointing. The resonance is totally different. It was also very dark. I just hope I never have to do this again,’ Miguel laughs.
At the Sewer Museum Miguel played contrabass together with Jacob, one of his students. ‘I had been here before; I liked the challenge. But whether I want to do it again? For 1,000 euros maybe,’ Jacob jokes.
