THe resurrection of Antigoon

Bruno Kristo

Antwerp, Zaha Hadidplein

2017

The hand of Antigoon

The hand is the symbol of Antwerp, the story can be found in the post on the fountain of Brabo. There are also hands hanging on the MAS and there is a giant hand on the Meir. A recent acquisition is a work of art at the Port House. It could already be seen in various places in the city, but it has found a permanent home on the Zaha Hadi Square.

Bruno Kristo

For the port of Antwerp, the work symbolizes the struggle that has been going on for centuries to get and keep the Scheldt open and navigable. “Keeping the Scheldt toll-free and accessible is not just a matter of the past, because a few years ago we still had to fight with the Netherlands – fortunately purely political and not with weapons – on deepening the Scheldt,” says port aldermen Marc Van Peel (CD&V). “This work therefore has great symbolic value for us, because it represents the hand of Antigoon that is in danger of coming out of the water again. It is up to us and the next generations to ensure that there is no longer any Antigoon, that could return. “

The artwork was revealed one day after the artist’s 40th birthday. He says about this artwork:

My artwork will remind people of freedom, something we always have to watch over.