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

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(c)image: Panamarenko Archive

Walvis [Whale] , 1967

Panamarenko

Object , 102 x 34 x 136 cm

styropor, cellophane, tin

This is the third work from the 1960s, following on from the crocodiles and the ducks, that refers to Panamarenko’s fascination with animals. The whale we see here testifies to the young artist’s desire to use new materials to make an entirely individual, almost abstract sculpture. The simplicity of materials and form, meanwhile, shows immense aesthetic refinement. The angular form – at once both robust and elegant – later gave Panamarenko the idea of constructing ΠAHAMA Nova Zemblaya based on the morphology of this early Whale.

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