The project expressed in a monumental way the impact of trade on world history, territories, countries, regions (such as the Brussels region), and its status in the world. Montesquieu said that the history of trade is the history of communication between people. This phrase and Braudel’s phrase are still valid today.

Trade allows people to meet, work together, it creates a social bond between people. In its most noble aspect, trade favors openness, values, exchanges, and the production of wealth. Trade is a very human activity that produces cultural exchanges.

Concept analysis:

• TRADE ( COMMERCE)  = NEGOTIUM
• OTIUM = LEASURE
• For the Romans  work was a non-leasure, a NEG-OTIUM
• In the antiquity OTIUM meant CULTIVATED LEASURE

The tarpaulin project is located on the entire facade of the building. Its texture includes texts and a map of Brussels. Using lights in the fabric, the effect of the tarpaulin is very different during the day or night.

Chris Debecker
Galerie Artitude

BECI – Bruxelles Entreprises Commerce