‘The Container’

Brussels is a fascinating city, both elegant and humorous, associated with comic strips and surreal art (as is Belgium itself). It’s home to many pieces of public art, and some are undeniably unusual, to put it simply.

Since 2013, the roundabout on Boulevard Pachéco has been occupied by a curious artwork titled The Container, and that’s what it is: a cargo container balancing on one of its corners. Without context, it looks like a freight truck had an accident there, except no one ever stops by to take a look.

Created by Belgian architect Luc Deleu, the artwork has often been a subject of mild controversy, some considering it an eyesore that hardly fits the neighborhood’s vibe.

Nevertheless, in 2020, the City of Brussels made a move on acquiring the piece permanently for €70,000 before Antwerp, another Belgian city, could get its hands on it. Now it looks like it’s going to stay there for a while.