Children's Art Day | Workshop: Build your own Aeromodeller
On Children's Art Day, build an airship with Henk Rijckaert that might actually fly!
Between 1969 and 1971, Panamarenko built his most legendary artwork: The Aeromodeller. The airship featured a 23-meter-long balloon made of transparent, flexible PVC strips glued together. In this workshop, you and Henk Rijckaert will discover how to build your own hot air balloon from separate plastic sheets that, just like The Aeromodeller, can actually fly.
It took Panamarenko two years to build his monumental airship all by himself. In this workshop, Henk Rijckaert will help you make your very own Aeromodeller in just two hours.
- First, you will design the shape of your Aeromodeller. Afterwards, you will learn how to heat-seal separate sheets of plastic together into the right shape.
- Testing is key: is there any air escaping? How do you reinforce your balloon so it stays sturdy in the air?
- Give your airship a name and registration number, and get ready to take to the skies.
- Time for the first real flight. Where will you fly to?
- On Sunday 15.Nov.26
- From 11:00 to 16:00
- Location: Room 1 in S.M.A.K.
- Suitable for children aged 8 and up
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Participation is free
- Registration is not required, but let us know if you are attending via reservation@smak.be
More Panamarenko at GUM
On Sunday, November 15, we are also celebrating Science Day. That is why our neighbors across the street at the GUM are organizing a day dedicated to Panamarenko, who built an idiosyncratic world where art, technology, and science meet. His inventions—from hovering vehicles to submarines—spark your imagination and challenge you to look, think, and create differently. That is why the GUM invites you to do the exact same thing during Science Day. So be sure to cross the street this Sunday to take part in the following activities:
- Follow in Panamarenko's footsteps by creating your own mechanical fantasy creature.
- Try your hand at a unique VR game in which you can restore some of his iconic artworks.
- Discover the man behind the artist in the film 'The Magic of Art'.
Join the vote!
The Aeromodeller by Panamarenko has been selected as one of the twelve finalists of the Heritage Tombola, giving it a chance to win a €150,000 restoration budget. Starting Tuesday, September 15, 2026, your vote will decide if this iconic artwork deserves a second life.
The airship has been part of the S.M.A.K. collection since 1980 and is an indispensable masterpiece that many enthusiasts want to see with their own eyes. Over the years, The Aeromodeller has flown all over the world, but all that travel has taken its toll. At the time, Panamarenko deliberately chose to build the artwork out of PVC, but decades later, it is showing signs of discoloration and tearing. Thanks to a restoration, The Aeromodeller can fly far once again and keep generations dreaming.
Do you want to see The Aeromodeller fly again too? Cast your vote below completely free of charge and stand a chance to win great prizes through the Heritage Tombola.
