Panamarenko (Belgium, 1940–2019) was a visionary artist and inventor celebrated for his fantastical flying machines, submarines, and vehicles. Blending art, science, and engineering, his works reflected a playful yet profound exploration of human ambition and technological possibilities. Iconic creations like Aeromodeller embody his imaginative approach to art and innovation.
lithographLithography is a printing method based on the principle that water and oil do not mix. It can be used to print artwork or text onto paper or other suitable materials. Traditionally, an image was drawn with wax, fat, or oil onto a lithographic limestone surface or plate. Today, metal plates and other surfaces are also used in lithographic printing.
Panamarenko (Belgium, 1940–2019) was a visionary artist and inventor celebrated for his fantastical flying machines, submarines, and vehicles. Blending art, science, and engineering, his works reflected a playful yet profound exploration of human ambition and technological possibilities. Iconic creations like Aeromodeller embody his imaginative approach to art and innovation.
Is there anything scarier than growing up? Adults have no imagination.
- Panamarenko
Renowned for modeling his work on aerodynamic engineering, Henri Van Herwegen - creating under the pseudonym of Panamarenko - is a mixed-media assemblagist whose work heavily features flying vehicles such as zeppelins, helicopters, and most notably aeroplanes; among his most acclaimed sculptures is his gallery-sized airship, Aeromodeller, and as is the case with other such works as Scotch Gambit, the machine’s flying capability is untested and as yet unknown – a purposely ironic nod to the Myth of Icarus. Panamarenko’s early career was heavily influenced by the Pop Art movement, as well as the works of Picasso and Beuys, but he soon developed an interest in human powered flights and began to create work pertaining to aviation and engineering as a metaphor for human exploration, hope and failure. (Artist website)
Sometimes referred to as Conceptualism, this is an art form where the idea(s) or concept(s) behind the work take precedence over material concerns and traditional aesthetics. Many conceptual artworks can be created by anyone simply by following written instructions. The concept or idea is the most essential aspect of the artwork.