Alex and Sophie's cabinet of curiosities

"In that period, people endeavoured to bring together collections that reflected the entire known world. There were four kinds of objects: preciosa, valuable art objects; naturalia, beautiful natural objects such as corals, minerals and shells; scientifica, scientific instruments; and the biggest category, exotica, pieces from distant lands. Seen from the perspective of 17th-century Europe, of course."

"I am an entrepreneur by profession. I run a company, GrindoSonic, that develops, builds and commercializes measurement systems. But cabinets of curiosities are our passion. We have even made our own at home, the Porfirius cabinet of curiosities, and we promote the concept as well. For example, we have a stand at the Brafa art fair in Brussels every year. We want to help people to collect their own cabinets of curiosities. We supply objects, help with arrangement, etc."

Cultural impoverishment

You are also M-art patrons of M. Why did you choose to support the museum financially?

"Because museums play an important role in our society. Personally, I think that our culture is becoming impoverished, and that interest in art is decreasing. You see that, for example, in the number of art dealers at the Zavel in Brussels. Thirty years ago, there were two hundred, now there are only twenty. Museums can counteract this trend and reinstate culture to its rightful place in society. Otherwise all we have left is Facebook and computer games."

"Choosing M was also related to the fact that we both studied in Leuven. We now live in Neerijse, but we still feel like Leuven locals to some extent."

You do not only support M financially.

"No, Sophie also does volunteer work for the museum: sending out emails, administration behind the scenes, welcoming people… A few years ago, she also cooperated in the organization of an exhibition that was entirely organized by about twenty volunteers, with professional support. I thought it was a great success, and I’m not only saying that because I know Sophie well (laughs)."

"In 2016, M organized an exhibition about the 17th-century painter Hendrik De Clerck. As part of the exhibition, M built a beautiful, hexagonal cabinet of curiosities, and we supplied the objects from our own collection."

Touching is permitted

A group of fellow M-art patrons recently visited your cabinet of curiosities. What was that like?

"Very pleasant! The excursion was organized by M, and we received about 25 or 30 visitors. We first introduced the concept of the cabinet of curiosities. It’s quite something: there are objects here from across the world, and they never argue (laughs). We then passed around a few objects in each category. Being allowed to touch an artwork is a very special experience. There was a lot of interest in a fragment from an Egyptian granite vase, for example. It is three thousand years old, but has very straight surfaces and is beautifully decorated and polished… Brilliant craftsmanship! It really makes you wonder how they managed to make it with the tools they had at the time."

Is it easy to find objects?

"No, it is actually quite difficult. We literally have to scour the whole world for them. But because we are always at Brafa, collectors do offer us pieces as well. It goes in both directions."

And finally: what is the highlight of your own cabinet of curiosities?

"I would have to say a pair of turned limewood cups. They probably originated at Castle Rosenborg in Copenhagen, a royal residence that employed its own woodworkers. Finding objects like that is very exceptional."