Hans Theys

Hans Theys is a twentieth-century philosopher and art historian. He has written and designed dozens of books on the works of contemporary artists and published hundreds of essays, interviews and reviews in books, catalogues and magazines. All his publications are based on actual collaborations and conversations with artists.

This platform was developed by Evi Bert (M HKA / Centrum Kunstarchieven Vlaanderen) in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp (Research group Archivolt), M HKA, Antwerp and Koen Van der Auwera. We also thank Idris Sevenans (HOR) and Marc Ruyters (Hart Magazine).

Panamarenko

Back

(c)image: SMAK, Dirk Pauwels

Feltra , 1966

Panamarenko, Dr. Hugo Heyrman

Object , 180 x 115 x 130 cm

styropor, felt

After Molly Peters this was Panamarenko's second felt doll, and it too was made following the likeness of a picture from Playboy. Feltra, monochrome white, sits provocatively with legs crossed in a leather chair. During the De Premiere van de Hersenexpansie in Kleuren! (The Premier of Brain Expansion in Color), at the Wide White Space Gallery in Antwerp, Feltra dangles from the ceiling just like Molly Peters.

The name Feltra does not refer to the name of the Playboy model, but rather to the brand name of the felt serving to cover the doll. Panamarenko purchased the felt in a local store, Veritas. The brand name was printed on the inside of the felt. In order to attain the right form and pose,

Panamarenko first shaved the polystyrene with a coarse rasp, and then used sandpaper for the finish. Even without the felt cover, the dolls looked very well. But the felt was necessary to hold everything together. Otherwise, they would have lost their shape long ago.

'Feltra? That came from the Veritas store, that was just the name, the brand of that felt.' - Panamarenko

Back