LABIOMISTA

About the museum

LABIOMISTA is the life’s work of artist Koen Vanmechelen: an “evolving artwork about the mix of life”, created in collaboration with the City of Genk. It lies on the site of the former Zwartberg coal mine, which closed in 1966. The site then came into private hands and became the Limburg Zoo. In 2019 LABIOMISTA opened its doors to visitors.

Half of the 24-hectare estate is open nature. Here you will find the artist’s studio and headquarters, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the restored director’s house from 1925 now called Villa OpUnDi, and a gatehouse called The Ark. In the park you walk through an open-air exhibition of living artworks and installations, and encounter animal species that play an important role in Vanmechelen’s work, alongside his well-known chicken breeds.

Themes such as identity, diversity and biocultural coherence become tangible here through the language of art. The park works closely with the neighbourhood: on its edge lies Nomadland, a meeting place with allotments, picnic areas and pipowagens (traditional Belgian caravans), and the entrance fee is fully reinvested in the park’s public activities and in neighbourhood projects. LABIOMISTA is only open during the season, from spring to autumn.

Highlights

• Open-air exhibition with living artworks and installations by Koen Vanmechelen
• 24-hectare park on a former mine and spoil-heap site in Zwartberg
• Buildings by architect Mario Botta (The Ark and The Battery)
• Audio tour with around 40 stops, also as a children’s version (Audiokids)
• Nomadland with picnic areas and pipowagens on the edge of the park

Permanent exhibition

• LABIOMISTA: openluchtexpositie van Koen Vanmechelen – A permanent and evolving artwork in a 24-hectare park, with living artworks and installations on identity, diversity and biocultural coherence.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Koen Vanmechelen en Stad Genk

Admission & discounts

All prices include the audio guide. The adult prices apply to ages 27 to 65. Residents of Genk (on presentation of ID) and holders of a museum pass enter free. Online booking is not compulsory; it is recommended on the Open Studio days (4 April and 8 November 2026) and during events, including for residents of Genk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Thanks to paved walking paths the park is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs, and a wheelchair lift makes the villa reachable. Visitors with a hearing impairment can read the texts on the information boards and labels. At reception you can borrow a wheelchair or buggy on request (book via info@labiomista.be). Dogs are not allowed, except recognised assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Children up to and including 18 years enter free. Children have their own audio tour (Audiokids), and live animals roam the park, such as llamas, emus and ostriches. Visitors aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Pushchairs can use the paved paths through the park.

Getting there & parking

LABIOMISTA lies at the junction of cycle junction nodes 508 and 548; there is a bicycle park at the reception building. The visitor reception is at Marcel Habetslaan 60.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Lockers

There is deliberately no catering in the park. Eating and drinking are allowed in the park but not in the buildings; you can borrow a picnic blanket at reception and top up your water bottle at the drinking fountain. Right next to the park lies Nomadland, where pipowagens serve food and drinks (during school holidays Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:30; otherwise at weekends and on public holidays). Large backpacks can be stored in lockers in the reception building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit