Panamarenko House in Antwerp Granted Monument Status
Flemish minister of immovable heritage, Ben Weyts (N-VA), has officially granted monument status to the Panamarenko House in Antwerp following an extensive review by the Flemish Heritage Agency. The former residence of the late artist, which has been preserved largely intact and now functions as a museum with guided tours, is recognized as a protected monument. The recognition underscores the significance of the building as a vital part of Belgium’s cultural heritage, and serves to honor Panamarenko’s contributions to the art world, reports 24brussels.
Panamarenko, born Henri Van Herwegen, lived and created at this site from 1970 until his death in 2002. The property, located at the corner of Biekorfstraat, transformed into his studio, where he crafted and conceived hundreds of works, while tailoring the space to reflect his unique artistic vision. Iconic features include a full-width glass loggia and an aviary-style helicopter landing pad on the roof.
Weyts emphasized, “It is unusual for an artist’s home to receive monument protection. But Panamarenko is an artist to be very proud of. With this protection, we emphasize the importance of this building and its contents, and we support the efforts to preserve the Panamarenko House.”
The Museum of Contemporary Art (M HKA) will oversee the management of the house and its collection for Flanders. This protection is particularly crucial as Panamarenko’s innovative works are scattered globally, without a dedicated museum presence in Belgium. The museum asserted, “His memory, his oeuvre and his spirit will live on in the Panamarenko House.”
This year marks what would have been Panamarenko’s 85th birthday, and various exhibitions and events are being held throughout Flanders to celebrate his legacy and artistic achievements.
