Collectie Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Ensemble

The M HKA holds works on permanent loan that were acquired with the budget of the Vlaamse Commissie voor Beeldende Kunst (Flemish Visual Art Committee) (1982-2002). This was initially a broad, socially-oriented and supportive policy which later took on a more specific museum orientation that focused on filling in gaps and making deliberate choices. In 2003 this policy area was absorbed into the ‘Topstukken- en Sleutelwerkenbeleid’ (Policy on Major and Key Works), and a small sum derived from this also temporarily reinforced purchasing policy at the M HKA.

Part of the present collection consists of items on permanent loan that were purchased by the Flemish Community. This purchasing tradition, guided by advisory committees, arose out of the government’s intention to support artists and to introduce art into government buildings and spaces.

A number of these artworks are part of the M HKA collection.

Of particular importance are several ensembles acquired in the latter days of this purchasing policy, when purchases were increasingly made with an eye to a museum function, and when curator Dirk Snauwaert was finally allowed to make purchases himself. This enabled several gaps to be filled that had been formed by the M HKA’s ever-decreasing ability to buy: works by David Claerbout and Harald Thys & Jos de Gruyter, ensembles by Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven and Francis Alÿs. The ‘Topstukken- en Sleutelwerkendecreet’ once again made it possible to fill a major gap; the M HKA had no proper museum piece by Panamarenko, but now the Prova Car (1967) was bought at Christie’s and several years later Zwitserse Fiets (1967) too. In 2015, the M HKA acquired Allan Sekula’s key work Ship of Fools.

 

About M HKA / Mission Statement

The M HKA is a museum for contemporary art, film and visual culture in its widest sense. It is an open place of encounter for art, artists and the public. The M HKA aspires to play a leading role in Flanders and to extend its international profile by building upon Antwerp's avant-garde tradition. The M HKA bridges the relationship between artistic questions and wider societal issues, between the international and the regional, artists and public, tradition and innovation, reflection and presentation. Central here is the museum's collection with its ongoing acquisitions, as well as related areas of management and research.

About M HKA Ensembles

The M HKA Ensembles represent our first steps towards initiating the public to today's art-related digital landscape. With the help of these new media, our aim is to offer our artworks a better and fuller array of support for their presentation and public understanding.