Athena returns to the roof of the Royal Atheneum, but with a contemporary update (Antwerp)

First, let’s go back in time … At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon A High schoole, the first public school in what is now Belgium and is now known as GO! Royal Atheneum. In the following years the institute was housed in various places in the historic centre, until then Mayor Leopold de Wael decided in 1872 that it deserved a modern building in the Gemeenteplaats, popularly known as the Geuzenhofkes. Now we know the square as Franklin Rooseveltplaats.

errand

Twelve years later, the huge new Athenaeum – a design by city architect Peter Deans – opened there. A statue of the Greek goddess of wisdom, art and science Pallas Athena was placed on the roof. Known to the Romans as Minerva.

“The work was done by Joseph Ducaju, who also designed the statue of David Teniers,” says Karen Hermans, director of Athena. “It fits perfectly with the eclectic style of the building and also conveys the humanistic message that the Athenaeum wants to convey to the city’s residents. This is also reflected elsewhere on our facades, with allegorical statues of the Music of Art and Science above the main portal.”

fate

In 1994, Athens was classified as a protected monument, but this would not stop the catastrophe, because on the night of January 14-15, 2003, the building was destroyed by a serious fire. Extinguishing work continued well into the next day.

After measuring the damage, it turned out that not only the main building on Rooseveltplatz and the concert hall were destroyed. The statue of Athena that had stood proudly on the roof all those years also had to be removed. Karin Hermans: “The statue is no longer in good condition. Earlier a torch fell from her hand and later a piece of her arm followed.”

universal values

Soon there will be a new statue of Athena on the roof. A jury made up of experts including Luc Tuymans and Claudia Selene, student council representative, selected three artists from a long list. They were asked to prepare a concrete proposal for this contemporary work. “Our new Athena wants to enter into a dialogue about freedom, tolerance and reciprocity with the neighbor. Art and science are for all time, but the goddess of wisdom also stands for liberation, humanity, freedom and universally shared values, which are so important in this diverse society.”

statue or projection

The three finalists were selected in June, but what the final result will look like is not yet known. “Every artist must give it a new meaning. It could be a sculpture of a man, a woman, or a hybrid. Or maybe a projection? It would also surprise me.”

Then the winner gets one year to realize his design. “It would be great, of course, if we could open for business in January 2024.”

The winner will be announced on Saturday January 14th, twenty years after the fire. On that day, Athens Takes Over will also be organized, a collaboration between the Athenaeum, famous artists and Instroom Vlaanderen, a project by and with talented culinary newcomers, with Chef Sippy Nobles as showrunner. So dinner is not to be missed.

What will eventually happen to “ancient” Athens? Karin Hermans: “It is currently in the basement, but will later be given a prominent place in the stadium’s gazebo.”