Unexpected Giants: Arne Quinze’s Sculptures Challenge Ostend’s Shore.
Ostend, Belgium, August 2022
A Walk Fit for Royalty: The Timeless Elegance of Ostend’s Galleries.
Ostend, Belgium, August 2022
Ostend has space. A 20-meter-wide promenade, a 400-meter-long colonnade, a neo-Gothic church, a floral clock, and over 300 restaurants scattered somewhere in between. The Kursaal and Casino serve as reminders that Ostend was once the glamorous heart of Belgium’s coastline—and still, quietly, sees itself as the queen of seaside resorts.
But Ostend isn’t about perfection. On the day I visited, scaffolding covered the colonnade, construction fences dominated the view. Instead, another attraction on the promenade caught my attention: "Rock Strangers", a sculpture of massive, crumpled red metal blocks. Like giant scraps of packaging discarded by some careless titan. A stark contrast to the town’s classic seaside architecture—but perhaps that’s exactly why it fits. Ostend isn’t just a façade.
The city is big, busy, and a little rough around the edges. Not a polished postcard scene, but a place with character, where old and new, elegance and everyday life, seaside tradition and modern art blend effortlessly. A queen who has no plans to step down anytime soon.
Left: St. Peter and Paul Church, Ostend: This neo-Gothic masterpiece, completed in 1905, dominates the city skyline with its twin spires and intricate stonework, inspired by Cologne Cathedral. In front, a man and his dog casually stroll past, unimpressed by the grandeur.
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Right: In a park next to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul stands the sandstone Paster-Pype Monument from 1939.
St. Peter and Paul Church, Ostend: This neo-Gothic masterpiece, completed in 1905, dominates the city skyline with its twin spires and intricate stonework, inspired by Cologne Cathedral. In front, a man and his dog casually stroll past, unimpressed by the grandeur.
In a park next to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul stands the sandstone Paster-Pype Monument from 1939.
Left: St. Joseph’s Church in Ostend: This neo-Gothic landmark, completed in the late 19th century, dominates Gentstraat with its striking red brick façade and towering spire.
Top right: The De Zee (The Sea) sculpture in Ostend, a bronze reclining figure by artist Georges Grard. Set in a fountain near the seafront, this serene statue reflects the deep connection between the city and the North Sea—a tribute to beauty, nature, and coastal life.
St. Joseph’s Church in Ostend: This neo-Gothic landmark, completed in the late 19th century, dominates Gentstraat with its striking red brick façade and towering spire.
The De Zee (The Sea) sculpture in Ostend, a bronze reclining figure by artist Georges Grard. Set in a fountain near the seafront, this serene statue reflects the deep connection between the city and the North Sea—a tribute to beauty, nature, and coastal life.
A lost landmark of Ostend: The old municipal swimming pool on Koninginnelaan, once a hub for locals, stood out with its brutalist architecture and striking mural. It has since been demolished.
Left: A controversial legacy in Ostend: The equestrian statue of King Leopold II, unveiled in 1931 near the Royal Galleries, depicts the monarch overseeing the North Sea. Flanking the statue are groups symbolizing 'grateful' Congolese and Ostend fishermen, though the monument has faced criticism and vandalism due to Leopold II's colonial actions in the Congo.
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Right: A changing landmark in Ostend: The Royal Galleries, a neoclassical seaside walkway, currently undergo restoration—where scaffolding and graffiti-covered barriers add an unexpected urban touch.
A controversial legacy in Ostend: The equestrian statue of King Leopold II, unveiled in 1931 near the Royal Galleries, depicts the monarch overseeing the North Sea. Flanking the statue are groups symbolizing 'grateful' Congolese and Ostend fishermen, though the monument has faced criticism and vandalism due to Leopold II's colonial actions in the Congo.
A changing landmark in Ostend: The Royal Galleries, a neoclassical seaside walkway, currently undergo restoration—where scaffolding and graffiti-covered barriers add an unexpected urban touch.
Top right: Royal grandeur by the sea: The Thermae Palace in Ostend, once a luxurious spa resort, still dominates the beachfront with its grand neoclassical façade, framed by rows of classic beach cabins.
Royal grandeur by the sea: The Thermae Palace in Ostend, once a luxurious spa resort, still dominates the beachfront with its grand neoclassical façade, framed by rows of classic beach cabins.
Left: The Royal Galleries of Ostend: This impressive covered walkway, built in the early 20th century, was designed for Belgian royalty to enjoy seaside strolls in style—now a favorite spot for visitors and exhibitions.
The Royal Galleries of Ostend: This impressive covered walkway, built in the early 20th century, was designed for Belgian royalty to enjoy seaside strolls in style—now a favorite spot for visitors and exhibitions.
Unexpected giants on Ostend’s seafront: ‘Rock Strangers’ by artist Arne Quinze brings bold, crumpled forms to the promenade, challenging the contrast between nature and urban life.
Towering shapes on the Ostend seafront: The 'Rock Strangers' by Arne Quinze bring an unexpected burst of color and form to the Belgian coast.
Towering shapes on the Ostend seafront: The 'Rock Strangers' by Arne Quinze bring an unexpected burst of color and form to the Belgian coast.
A bold contrast on the Ostend seafront: The ‘Rock Strangers’ sculptures by Arne Quinze disrupt the urban landscape with their bright orange, crumpled forms—art that demands attention.
