Panamarenko – the artist, the man, and the human being – in words and images

“My work is seen as children’s science because there’s no name for it. But what if childhood dreams become adult dreams, in their own right? If you can create them, with more and more experience and training – what do you get? Then you get… Panamarenko!”

 — Panamarenko

Panamarenko (1940-2019) is one of the most imaginative visual artists of all time. He was both the inventor and builder of airplanes that can fly in principle, of a gigantic airship and a habitable flying boat, of a theoretically seaworthy submarine, of childishly moving, walking chickens, of a flying saucer that floats to the stars on interplanetary magnetic fields, and of many other wonderful dream crafts.

He was the creator of an oeuvre that represents an unconventional, highly personal interpretation of the concept of art, but he also pushed boundaries in the interpretation of his vision and opinion. Using verbatim quotes from the numerous interviews Panamarenko has given, art historian Jo Coucke brings together the often blunt statements of the legendary master about art, science, and life in his posthumous masterclass, which reads like an ultimate monologue. Stephan Vanfleteren accompanies the texts with a selection of striking images. Both do this with the utmost respect for the spirit of Panamarenko’s artistry and on the basis of their many years of association with the man and his work.