MIDDELHEIM MUSEUM > Acquisitions
Acquisitions
In this year of great changes, the Middelheim Museum has also acquired new works by three major artists. Ai Weiwei, Roman Signer and Philippe Van Snick all present works of art especially created for the museum.
Every year, the museum invites a contemporary artist to engage in an artistic dialogue with the permanent collection and the park environment, resulting in high-profile performances and impressive exhibitions by both established artists and promising younger ones. The work that is born of this cross-pollination is frequently added to the permanent collection. The museum has previously worked with major artists such as Wim Delvoye, Chris Burden and Jan De Cock. This year no fewer than three renowned artists have been invited, in consultation with guest curator Paul Robbrecht.
The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei (b. 1957), Roman Signer (b. 1938) of Switzerland, and the Belgian Philippe Van Snick (b. 1946) are all creating works tailor-made for the museum. These acquisitions and their inclusion in the park are part of the museum’s steady expansion of its exceptional collection, which already includes over 400 works.
The Bridge Without a Name
Ai Weiwei (b. China, 1957)
The Middelheim Museum asked Ai Weiwei to build a bridge. The artist was only too happy to take up the invitation. He saw it as a challenge, as he had never built a bridge before.
Bidon Bleu
Roman Signer (b. Switzerland, 1938)
The sculpture Bidon Bleu is part of a series of actions in which the artist launches objects into the open-air with the help of a slope.
Poëzie
Philippe Van Snick (b. Ghent, 1946)
In Poëzie, Philippe Van Snick has set up a spatial installation on the Braem Pavilion lawn. In its creation, he has used an existing, rather antiquated water feature.
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