LOMAK

LOMAK is the smallest museum in Belgium, tucked into the façade of the town hall in Tessenderlo. Instead of galleries filled with paintings, the entire museum fits inside a heated, illuminated box measuring just 40 by 40 by 40 centimeters, mounted 7.5 meters up on a blank wall of the town hall building. The name LOMAK stands for Loois Museum voor Actuele Kunst, meaning the Looi Museum of Contemporary Art — "Looi" being a traditional nickname for the Tessenderlo area.

How do you visit a museum with a single room the size of a box?

Through a telescope. A telescope is set up in the square facing the town hall, and visitors use it to view whatever exhibition currently sits inside the illuminated box. This unusual setup makes LOMAK one of the most distinctive cultural attractions in the Limburg region — a museum meant to be observed from a distance rather than entered.

Where did this unconventional installation come from?

LOMAK was designed by designer Jeff Rutten, commissioned by the service club Kiwanis Tessenderlo Alchemia to mark the club's twentieth anniversary. It was officially inaugurated on May 10, 2013, by Jan Hoet, the well-known Belgian art curator and critic best remembered for organizing documenta 9 in Kassel. Despite its playful premise, the project was conceived from the start as a genuinely serious artistic endeavor rather than a passing gimmick.

What can you actually see inside the box?

Three times a year, LOMAK presents a new exhibition by a different contemporary Flemish artist. Because the exhibition space is so unusually small, artists typically don't adapt existing works — they design a piece created specifically for this format. The result is a rotating series of unique, miniature installations that draw attention from both Tessenderlo residents and travelers passing through the town.

Why is LOMAK worth a stop, even though you can't step inside?

That very paradox — a museum you can't enter, only glimpse through a telescope from across the square — is exactly what makes the place memorable. LOMAK shows how a small, witty gesture can turn into a lasting, recognizable landmark for a small town. Visitors who pass through Tessenderlo's main square can, in a matter of minutes, check what exhibition is currently on display and see how the latest invited artist has approached the format.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a ticket to visit LOMAK? The museum is viewed from outside through a publicly accessible telescope on the square, making it a free, easily accessible attraction for any passerby.

How often does the exhibition change? A new exhibition appears three times a year, each time created by a different Flemish artist.

Who designed the installation? The installation was designed by Jeff Rutten, initiated by the service club Kiwanis Tessenderlo Alchemia.

When was LOMAK established? The museum officially opened on May 10, 2013, with the opening ceremony led by Jan Hoet.