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: M HKA

Magnetische velden [Magnetic Fields], 1979

Panamarenko

Object , 109.8 x 76 x 77 cm

table, capacitors, copper coils, metal disc with honeycomb motif

To prepare for his construction of a large magnetic interstellar spaceship, Panamarenko began a quest in the mid-1970s for energy sources powerful enough to carry a flying saucer out of the Earth’s atmosphere and beyond the pull of gravity. A 1979 experiment, which he called Magnetic Fields, suggested that an electromagnetic drive offered the greatest chance of success. He built a first prototype in 1979 on a wooden table fitted with capacitors and copper
coils. To increase his understanding of how magnetic fields and other interplanetary forces operate, he threw himself into ufology and the study of electromagnetism, which resulted in the project Journey to the Stars, under which heading he conceived and designed numerous hovering and flying saucers. In this way, he gradually developed the overall theory he called his ‘Toy Model of Space’.

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