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Anish Kapoor dreigt met terugtrekking werken uit M HKA en S.M.A.K.

3 November 2025 - 19:42 – Open brief

De internationaal gerenommeerde kunstenaar Anish Kapoor heeft in een dringende brief aan Vlaams minister van Cultuur Caroline Gennez zijn diepe bezorgdheid geuit over de geplande institutionele hervormingen binnen het Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen (M HKA) en S.M.A.K. (Gent). Kapoor vreest dat zijn kwetsbare en complexe kunstwerken risico lopen door de herstructurering en benadrukt dat zijn werken niet in gevaar gebracht mogen worden als onderdeel van deze plannen.

From: Anish Kapoor <...@...>
Date: 2 November 2025 at 10:06:51 GMT
To: caroline.gennez@vlaanderen.be
Cc: kabinet.gennez@vlaanderen.be
Subject: Urgent Request Concerning the Works of Anish Kapoor

Dear Minister Gennez,

I am writing to you to express my deep concern regarding reports of institutional restructuring currently affecting Belgian contemporary art museums.
I, Anish Kapoor, have entrusted major works to the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) and to S.M.A.K. (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, Ghent). These works were placed in the care of these institutions with the mutual understanding that they would be preserved, made publicly accessible, and treated with the highest professional respect.

Given the fragile and complex nature of my works, I cannot accept that they might be removed from M HKA or otherwise put at risk as part of any institutional reorganization.

Until we receive a clear, official written commitment guaranteeing that my work will remain in Antwerp and will continue to be exhibited regularly, I must formally request that all references to my artworks be removed from the websites of M HKA, and any affiliated Flemish institutions.
This issue is not only about protecting my artistic legacy, but also about upholding the integrity of the institutions responsible for safeguarding cultural heritage.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Respectfully,
Anish Kapoor

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