Contemporary art
© Dirk Pauwels
Het Smak shows a forgotten work by Panamarenko to the public for the first time. Magic carpet was shown at the Sydney Biennale in 1979 and ended up in depot at the artist’s request.
Het Smak delved into its own collection and found an unopened chest containing a work by Panamarenko. Magic carpet, a three-metre long wooden sculpture, was only presented at the Sydney Biennale in 1979. It then disappeared from view at the artist’s request. There is also a large-format preparatory drawing of the work from 1978.
“Panamarenko asked the then museum of contemporary art in Ghent to keep the sculpture, but not to pay any further attention to it,” says Philippe Van Cauteren, director of the Smak. “He clearly didn’t want to be reminded of it anymore.”
Panamarenko died five years ago at the age of 79. By then he had been in self-declared retirement for quite some time. At the request of Eveline Hoorens, his widow and the founder of the Panamarenko Foundation, the work is resurfaced.
Magic carpet illustrates the ultimate dream of flying. The sculpture has the shape of a carpet, based on a construction of screws and motors. According to Van Cauteren, Panamarenko was all about imagination, “the ability to enchant materials.”
Magic Carpet can be seen for free at the Smak until January 1. The rediscovery of a forgotten work forms the basis of a Panamarenko presentation in the Smak.(gvds)
© Wim Van Eesbeek
© Wim Van Eesbeek
© Wim Van Eesbeek
