Pepto Bismo 2003
Panamarenko
2003
Details
- Collection: Antwerp, Contemporary art, The collection
- Material: bronze
- Acquisition method: acquisition
- Object number: KIS.0161
Pepto Bismo 2003, a work by Panamarenko, was created in 2003 and depicts a man on a tall pedestal with a portable flying device on his back. Twelve short wooden propellers, powered by small but powerful engines, appear to propel the figure skywards.
The name of the work was inspired by Pepto Bismol, an American medicine against nausea. At the request of gallerist Ronny Van de Velde, six bronze sculptures entitled Pepto Bismo II were produced, of which this example was given a permanent place on Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp.
Panamarenko (1940–2019) was a Belgian artist known for his experimental and innovative approach to art and technology. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp from 1955 to 1960. His work is often inspired by aviation and the dream of human flight: he created numerous sculptures and installations exploring these themes.
From the same artist
Panamarenko
*Currently under restoration* A curious bird sits on a tree trunk. As you approach, it jumps and flaps its wings. Panamarenko said of this work, “I had received a beautiful tree trunk from the city somewhere, because they wanted a beautiful little wooden bird like this. And now there he is hopping on it. A silly chicken. It’s a toy, and in fact I only make toys, because that is the real art: the poetry of a toy. What others call real art is too much like art; that’s the problem.”