The latest acquisitions in Germany's contemporary art collection
An exhibition in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle showcases 150 pieces by 81 artists whose work has been acquired by the Collection of the Federal Republic of Germany over the last five years.
Angela Merkel
Cultural appropriation, symbols of power, nationalistic tendencies — those are just some of the topics explored by the artworks in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle exhibition. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who in the past years popularized the slogan "Germany is not an island," is, of course, the focal point of many of them. Here Dutch artist Erik Lieshout portrayed her with red lips and an inscrutable gaze.
Welcome
"Germany Is Not an Island," the title of the exhibition featuring the state's latest artworks acquisitions, also inspired Erik van Lieshout's 2015 series, entitled "Untitled (The Island)." This drawing depicts the Brandenburg Gate, with its famous quadriga statue; the columns are reinterpreted to read "Welcome," a word that was often used as masses of refugees arrived that year.
East German memories
People's participation is at the heart of the work of the artist duo Clegg & Guttmann. The photo above, entitled "DDR Children Library," shows a bookcase filled with children books that were popular in former East Germany. To create this work, the artists asked the residents of an area that is currently experiencing massive exodus to bring their favorite books into a vacant shop.
Selection process
The artworks are selected by a jury whose five members travel to art trade fairs such as Art Basel and Art Cologne to discover new talent. All members tour the events on their own and then meet and discuss possible additions, such as Alicja Kwade's sculpture (above). The voluntary curatorial positions are appointed to new people every five years.
Post-internet art from Germany
In order to have their works considered for purchase, artists must be either born or live and work in Germany. Each jury member may also nominate only six names. Viktoria Binschtok made it into the selection with her "Yellow Cluster" (2016, above) that was created by association using computer-based search algorithms. Along with Simon Denny, she represents the post-internet generation of artists.
Art available 24/7
The collection has no permanent exhibition space, but new and past additions are usually put on display every five years in a major German museum such as this year in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle; Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof or the Gropius-Bau also hosted previous exhibitions. The whole collection is also available online, including Matti Braun's installation portrayed above.