Art Brussels has just opened, and for the last time at a location near the city’s symbol, the Atomium (from the 1958 World Expo). Next year, the fair will take place at Tour & Taxis, in the former Royal Customs House, completed c. 1906 and much more convenient given #Brussels #TerribleTraffic. Brussels has become one of the key centers of the European art scene for both artists and galleries (Belgium has the most collectors per capita of any country—also convenient). Some talk of it usurping Berlin. Well, talk is cheap. More controversial-sounding but nearer the mark, Brussels is usurping Paris, which, after the Charlie Hebdo attacks rallied the populous, is now drifting back into a comfortable torpor.

But BRUSSELS! Like Berlin, it is a poor, working-class city and the capital of Europe (smile). But the food is better and, as mentioned, it has more than three collectors who actually live there. Anyway, Art Brussels itself is a beautifully designed, well organized affair that goes to great lengths to look after collectors and media alike (Randian is staying at the very nice Sofitel). Not something to be thrown away lightly.

There were a great many good, interesting, amusing and beguiling works on show, though mainly in the more established main hall (Xavier Hufkens, Almine Rech, Barbara Gladstone, Daniel Templon, Galleria Continua, James Cohan, Galerie Lelong, among others). Nevertheless, among emerging galleries there was also a good deal to see. Here is a selection of the best of both worlds. The only thing missing—given the focus of Randian—was Chinese collectors. No doubt that will change soon. After all, Beijingers are used to traffic jams.