Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven / AMVK

Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven (also known as AMVK) is an artist of singular complexity. Born in 1951 in Antwerp, where she still lives and works, she has been active since the 1970s as a visual artist, graphic designer and performer. She has always been a pioneer. She should, first and foremost, be considered an artist for the future. AMVK’s practice is truly interdisciplinary.

M HKA wants to introduce Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven to a wider audience as an innovator of forms and interpreter of moods - as oxygen of the whole society.

Flower Power

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(c)image: AMVK

04 June - 13 June 2015

Grote Markt, Antwerpen

The City of Antwerp, along with artist Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven, will literally shower the Grote Markt [Great Market Square] with flowers from 4^th to 13^th June 2015. Van Kerckhoven designed the flower carpet ‘Flower Power' as part of the ‘450 Years of Town Hall’ celebrations. In addition, the facade of the town hall itself will be adorned with unique flags – a second version of the work of art. On 13^th June 2015 visitors will get the opportunity to take home a small piece of the work of art.

From 4^th to 13^th June 2015 there will be a unique flower carpet in the Grote Markt. ‘Flower Power’ by Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven, a.k.a. AMVK, is an atypical carpet. It is composed of individual small pots containing plants and herbs. The life of this innovative carpet is longer than that of a traditional carpet of begonia flower buds. This allows visitors to take plants with them at the end.

The design consists of large surfaces in bright colours, including red and white -- the colours of Antwerp. The circle is the central motif. It represents the unity of the city and the people, but also the circle of life and death. AMVK also drew inspiration from the motifs that were used 450 years ago in floor covering which, today, can be found at the Plantin-Moretus Museum.

"The name 'Flower Power' is supposed to give people a sense of optimism; the sense of a vibrant cultural life in and around the Grote Markt. Above all, it’s about enjoying greenery together in the heart of the city", says alderman Philip Heylen.

Besides admiring the flower carpet, on 13^th June 2015 visitors can also take a piece of it with them. During this harvest festival, each visitor will receive one cardboard plant tray with space for six small pots. Plastic bags will be provided for the coloured tree bark.

The birthday town hall itself will be adorned as well: Flags in the colours of the flower carpet will be mounted to the town hall’s facade. Therefore, from 2^nd June 2015, the official flags on the facade will be replaced with 67 different flags designed by Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven.

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