The Panamarenko House
In 2007, Panamarenko donated his house and studio in the Seefhoek (a neighbourhood in Antwerp), to M HKA, including all household goods. M HKA has restored the building and has reconstructed the world of the artist in it. The authentically refurbished building in the Biekorfstraat, topped with a helipad on the roof’s ridge, is open to the public.
Panamarenko (1940-2019, Antwerp) first and foremost is an artist, but he is also an inventor, engineer, mathematician, philosopher and visionary – all at once. He makes floating structures, flying backpacks, pedal-driven helicopters, zeppelins, beetles, submarines and walking chickens. It is almost impossible to situate the artist or his work in a particular style or movement in contemporary art. Which has everything to do with the unique and innovative nature of his work. Using drawings, texts and calculations, Panamarenko searched for novel possibilities. Because of the combination of artistic insight and technological experiment, his spectacular structures possess a strange beauty, both playful and impressive.
‘I’m not a scientist or someone who makes artworks. What’s most important for me is that, occasionally, a kind of poetry lurks in what I create.’
The property has been entirely renovated, with the myriad objects, materials and artefacts that were originally found there. Not without pride, M HKA opens this monument for groups. Come and find out that none of the artist’s technical universe is lost – on the contrary. The refurbished building bears permanent witness to a fascinating artistic adventure that lives on in M HKA’s collection.
Practical information
- Guided tours take place every Saturday at 14:00 till 15:30
- Price (guided tour and drink included): €20 per person (max 8p)
- Book your guided tour and ticket here
⚠ Be aware that unfortunately the Panamarenko house is not accessible to people with limited mobility.
