Belgium's Cultural Landscape Under Siege: Artists Scorn Plan to Demolish Iconic Museum
A radical plan to dismantle Belgium's oldest contemporary art museum has sent shockwaves through the art world. The Flemish region's Culture Minister, Caroline Gennez, has announced plans to relocate M HKA, Antwerp's premier modern and contemporary art museum, to Ghent's Smak museum. The decision would effectively strip Antwerp of its status as a major cultural hub.
The artists behind some of the world's most renowned works are rallying against what they call an "arbitrary reshaping" of Belgium's museum landscape. Luc Tuymans, widely regarded as Belgium's most influential living artist, described the move as "insane." The Antwerp institution boasts a collection of 8,000 artworks by leading artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Anish Kapoor.
Critics argue that transplanting the collection would be akin to relocating an ecosystem. Anish Kapoor himself has protested against plans to bring his works to Smak, expressing concerns over their safety. "I cannot accept that they might be removed from M HKA or otherwise put at risk as part of any institutional reorganisation," he said.
The proposed shake-up is part of a broader effort by Flanders to cut public spending. The region faces a budget deficit of 5.4% of GDP, one of the largest in the eurozone. However, financial analysts have questioned whether this plan would actually lower costs. Belgium's financial inspectorate has given an unfavorable opinion on the proposals, warning that their impact on the budget would be "fragmentary."
While relocating the collection might save €3m annually, it is unclear how Smak would accommodate M HKA's vast holdings without significant investments. The new location lacks sufficient storage space, raising concerns over the long-term viability of this plan.
As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen whether Antwerp will lose its cultural identity. Critics fear that such drastic measures could lead to a homogenization of the art scene, with museums in different cities losing their unique character. The fate of M HKA hangs precariously in the balance as it becomes increasingly clear that the very heart of Belgian culture is under attack.
A radical plan to dismantle Belgium's oldest contemporary art museum has sent shockwaves through the art world. The Flemish region's Culture Minister, Caroline Gennez, has announced plans to relocate M HKA, Antwerp's premier modern and contemporary art museum, to Ghent's Smak museum. The decision would effectively strip Antwerp of its status as a major cultural hub.
The artists behind some of the world's most renowned works are rallying against what they call an "arbitrary reshaping" of Belgium's museum landscape. Luc Tuymans, widely regarded as Belgium's most influential living artist, described the move as "insane." The Antwerp institution boasts a collection of 8,000 artworks by leading artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Anish Kapoor.
Critics argue that transplanting the collection would be akin to relocating an ecosystem. Anish Kapoor himself has protested against plans to bring his works to Smak, expressing concerns over their safety. "I cannot accept that they might be removed from M HKA or otherwise put at risk as part of any institutional reorganisation," he said.
The proposed shake-up is part of a broader effort by Flanders to cut public spending. The region faces a budget deficit of 5.4% of GDP, one of the largest in the eurozone. However, financial analysts have questioned whether this plan would actually lower costs. Belgium's financial inspectorate has given an unfavorable opinion on the proposals, warning that their impact on the budget would be "fragmentary."
While relocating the collection might save €3m annually, it is unclear how Smak would accommodate M HKA's vast holdings without significant investments. The new location lacks sufficient storage space, raising concerns over the long-term viability of this plan.
As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen whether Antwerp will lose its cultural identity. Critics fear that such drastic measures could lead to a homogenization of the art scene, with museums in different cities losing their unique character. The fate of M HKA hangs precariously in the balance as it becomes increasingly clear that the very heart of Belgian culture is under attack.
! I mean, 8k artworks? That's like a treasure trove for art lovers everywhere 
️
! It's just crazy to think that M HKA could just be packed up and shipped off to Ghent without considering the impact on the community 
. The artists are right, it feels like an "arbitrary reshaping" of the museum landscape 
#SaveMHKAArtistsUnite #ArtLoversAgainstDemolition 
. The concerns over storage space at Smak don't even scratch the surface 
- what about the artist residency programs, the workshops, the cultural events? This plan feels like a hasty cost-cutting measure that could end up costing Antwerp more in the long run 
. It's time to have a rethink on this proposal and prioritize preserving Belgium's unique cultural identity 
. I mean, can you imagine what Antwerp's art scene would be without M HKA? It's like taking out the heartbeat of a city. The artists are right to protest - it's not just about saving €3m, it's about preserving the cultural identity of a place. And let's not forget Anish Kapoor's works being put at risk 
... that's just crazy talk. I think the government should reconsider this plan and find another way to cut costs without sacrificing their cultural heritage. The Smak museum just doesn't have the capacity to handle such an iconic collection. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole 
the fact that luc tuymans and anish kapoor are speaking out against it is giving me chills 
we need to support these artists and museums instead of cutting public spending 
m hka is more than just a museum, its like the heart of belgium's cultural identity 
lets spread love and positivity for art, not cut corners 
. Those 8,000 artworks are like the heart of Belgian culture and to think they'd be torn apart from their beloved city is heartbreaking 
and Anish Kapoor too 
- those artists know what's at stake! The economics just don't add up either, €3m is a drop in the bucket compared to preserving cultural heritage 