La compagne de Christian Boltanski exige des garanties pour la préservation de ses installations fragiles
3 Novembre 2025 - 18h48 – Lettre ouverteLe 2 novembre 2025, Annette Messager, compagne du célèbre artiste français Christian Boltanski, récemment décédé, a adressé une lettre urgente à la ministre Caroline Gennez. Cette lettre fait suite à la réforme institutionnelle prévue du M HKA et du S.M.A.K., mettant en péril l’avenir des installations fragiles et irremplaçables de Boltanski.
To: Minister Caroline Gennez
Subject: Urgent Request Regarding the Works of Christian Boltanski
Dear Minister Gennez,
I am writing to you as the partner of the recently deceased French artist Christian Boltanski, in order to express my deep concern regarding reports of ongoing institutional restructuring within Belgian contemporary art museums.
Christian Boltanski and I—both recognized among the most influential artists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries—have long entrusted significant 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 these institutions with the understanding that they would be preserved, publicly accessible, and treated with respect.
Christian’s installations are conceived as total environments—fragile, complex worlds that cannot be dismantled or treated as movable assets. We cannot accept that his works might be removed from M HKA or put at risk as part of an institutional realignment.
Until we receive a clear and official written commitment confirming that Christian’s works will remain in Antwerp and will continue to be regularly exhibited, I must respectfully request that any reference to his artworks be removed from the websites of M HKA, S.M.A.K., or any affiliated institution.
This matter concerns not only the protection of Christian Boltanski’s legacy, but also the integrity of the institutions entrusted with safeguarding cultural heritage.
I thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Annette Messager
Paris
353