The Middelheim Museum changed its look in a year and a half. Anyone who enters the main entrance on Middelheimlaan will come face to face with the mythical Polar Bear by François Pompon in the courtyard. His image also often appears in the merchandising offered for sale in the visitors’ pavilion designed by B-bis Architects. For example, you can also use a locker there before exploring the new museum route.
The new visitors pavilion with a shop and lockers. — © Dirk Kerstens
“A 2.5 km walking loop departs from this museum heart,” says museum director Sara Weyns. “Along the way you walk along four themes: movements, human nature, urban wilderness and fusion. Instead of continually creating sculptures on new islands, a search has now been made for surprising connections between the sculptures and the park. Here and there, interventions were also made to the park itself. Such as at the Hortiflora, where large strips of asphalt made way for more greenery.” A new entrance also increases accessibility from the parking lot on Beukenlaan.
“Instead of continually creating sculptures on new islands, we have now looked for surprising connections between the sculptures and the park. Here and there, interventions were also made to the park itself.”
Sara Weyns
Museum director
Some well-known works from the collection now stand out better, but many recent acquisitions also stand out in the new arrangement. Often acquired by the Flemish Community and given on long-term loan to the Middelheim Museum. Such as work by, among others, Valérie Mannaerts (You again2021) or Kasper de Vos (Cast of a Thought, 2021). Middelheim Promotors just bought a monumental fountain from Camille Henrot (Adrift2023).
“By looking at the works in our collection, it became clear to us once again how important that combination is today. Not only contemporary artists ask questions about the relationship of man to his environment. Research showed that Columned pavilion (1984-1992) by Charles Vandenhove was also intended by the artist to exhibit works of art by others. So we do that now too.”
Columned pavilion by Charles Vandenhove united with other art. — © Photo: Tom Cornille
In addition to the four thematic zones, three additional museum zones have their own interpretation. The new open-air depot shows sculptures that have been temporarily removed from the collection. In addition to the Middelheim Hospital, Zone East is being developed with attention to the mental and physical well-being of patients and doctors. And the new exhibition zone between the castle and East Zone will now host temporary exhibitions.
Accessible library
In addition to the visitors’ pavilion, the collection pavilion was also renovated by B-bis Architects. “Here you will find previously hidden collections, such as works on paper, small sculptures or vulnerable images. Currently, the open depot setup mainly shows works that have been recognized as masterpieces because of their special value.”
Fragile art was given a place in the collection pavilion. — © Dirk Kerstens
Another ‘hidden’ support collection is that of the museum library with 55,000 documents on modern sculpture from 1870 to the present. “Researchers are already using it today, but in the future every visitor will be able to view the books and a wide selection of journals in detail.”
In the coming weeks, the museum will complete its collection presentation with new signage. The artworks also come with pictures with a QR code for further explanation.
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