KETELEER Gallery is very pleased to introduce you to the new Panamarenko exhibition. Panamarenko. Works: 1979 – 2005 will be the presentation of 30 works made between 1979 and 2005; unique objects, original models, drawings and a selection from the graphic work. It will be the first major gallery exhibition in Panamarenko’s home port of Antwerp for a long time.

The exhibition is built chronologically in time, but also in the creation of a work at Panamarenko. For example, we show one of the first and original engines Quadrac Motor and Bing Motor (1990), with a design drawing that was to be used as a drive for the later sculpture Bing of The Ferro Lusto. From this sculpture we show the original scale model from 2002. The viewer will be able to discover the history of Panamarenko’s ever-evocative work. Beginning with a thought, a dream and a drawing in a scientific way, it always turns into a poetic and utopian image exuding an irresistible urge for freedom.

Here we also show the original models and objects of the legendary cars Polistes and Prova-Car. These works underscore the lifelong fascination of Panamarenko for speed, which symbolizes freedom. The speed and forces required to escape from gravity are elements that come back in almost the entire oeuvre of Panamarenko. The aspect of the glamor and hero status that pilots, race pilots and astronauts enjoy has always been used by himself as an artist, by always testing his work himself. Through which the audience is constantly amazed and, to a certain extent, looks up to his ever-recurring attempt to achieve freedom. Panamarenko transforms science into poetry, where the art of failure is ultimately the most important part.

The eye-catcher of the exhibition is undoubtedly the endearing sculpture Arlikoop from 2004. A late achievement of his first design for a robot in 1970. Panamarenko made the image in 2004 on a honeymoon to the North Pole. The image was subsequently photographed by himself on a sunlit night on the desolate landscape of the North Pole and now can be seen exceptionally in our exhibition.

Panamarenko (Antwerp, 1940) is widely regarded as one of the most important Belgian and European conceptual artists of the 20th century. He is an artist, technician, mathematician, philosopher and visionary in one. After the enormous success of the exhibition Panamarenko – Universum at the M HKA in 2014, this exhibition will once again focus on the unique oeuvre of this artist in his hometown, this time in the form of an exceptional gallery exhibition.

Public opening: 25 March, 5 pm – 9 pm