Us Ostend

The Crystal Ship

The very best works!

Ten toppers (say we said it!)

The Crystal Ship, the street art festival that from time to time takes over Ostend, has already had a series of editions. This has led to an immense collection of gigantic murals and small interventions that make you smile instantly. One would soon not see the wood for the trees. Fortunately, here we are. Team O Animal Belgium looked and judged. This is our hot list, ten top works you really want to see. The ideal introduction before venturing to the newcomers of 2022.

You had to be on your way already!

• Strip, Monaco Square 2 (2017 edition)

Right against the facade of Tourism Ostend flaunts this subtle topper, made with wood from the Mercator. Handy because that way you can jump right in to pick up your Crystal Ship plan.

• Jaune, Kursaal East Slope (2019 edition)

An honorary gallery of stenciled garbage men and that right against the Casino. Subtle but irresistible and very recognizable. As if a hidden world suddenly opens up before you.

• Miss Van, Mason Street 7 (2019 edition)

Woman, butterfly or mythical figure? The fact is that you keep staring intrigued.

• Matthew Dawn, Ensor Institute General Jungbluth Avenue 4 (2018 edition)

Big, bigger, biggest. Four stories even and yet this self-portrait is so fragile.

• Guido van Helten, Hendrik Baelskaai 40 (2016 edition)

A true "fisherman," with long eyebrow hairs and a furrowed head. Totally East Bank.

• Hyuro, Oudenburgsesteenweg 12 (2017 edition)

A woman whose head you can't see is trying to piece together a broken vase. Or so it seems anyway. Some works raise more questions or than they answer.

• Joachim, Orac, Oudenburgsesteenweg (2018 edition)

Attention, strange merman spotted. Success guaranteed with young violence.

• Phlegm, Victory Avenue 29 (2017 edition)

Big and small continue to stare in amazement at this fairy-tale feast that resembles a giant pen drawing.

• Leon Keer (@tourismoostende), Buskruitstraat 1 (2019 edition)

You don't have to be very naive to believe for a moment that giga vases are indeed stored here. It seems perfectly possible. This is the East Bank, after all.

• Collectivo Licuado (@HenrikHaven), Blue Castle Street (2018 edition)

A painting of the Flemish Primitives, but in the middle of the city, against an immense wall. Despite that size, you are served the same subtle shades of color.

To learn more, visit https://thecrystalship.org/nl/homepage-nederlands/

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