Art in Berlin 1880–1980

Press Release Berlin, 11.3.20 The Berlinische Galerie’s collection is showcasing about 250 works in a multi-faceted chronological tour through art in Berlin from 1880 to 1980. It begins with paintings influenced by the wealthy patrons of the Kaiser’s era in the late 19th century and leads through works of Expressionism and the East Euro- pean avant-garde to the art and architecture of post- war modernism. Reflecting the interdisciplinary charac- ter of the collection, it takes the form of a dialogue between major paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs and architectural designs. These represent the diversity of artistic methods and styles, but also the tensions, antitheses and disruptions that , © Kulvianski estate, repro: Berlinische Galerie remain a hallmark of Berlin as a hub of artistic output. 1927 Key works, artists and styles The fine art currently on show features paintings and sculptures by eminent artists such as Hannah Höch, Naum Gabo and Georg Baselitz. Also waiting to be discovered are works by lesser-known exponents of Impressionism, Expressionism, the East European avant-garde, New Objectivity and Art Informel. There Issai Kulvianski: My Little Daughter Kiki, is a particular focus on artists who fell into oblivion as a result of the two world wars, and in particular the Art in Berlin repression of art and artists under the Nazi regime. The Berlinische Galerie holds one of the most impor- tant collections of art photography in Germany. 1880–1980 A selection for the permanent exhibition illustrates The Permanent Exhibition how Berlin contributed to the development of the medium from around 1900 until 1980. The story begins with early street photography around 1900 (Heinrich Zille) and the beginnings of art photography (Nicola Perscheid) at about the same time. This is followed by New Vision photography (Sasha Stone) in the 1920s and the photojournalism of that period (Erich Salomon). The immediate post-war years are reflected in press images (Henry Ries) from the late 1940s. Abstract compositions from the 1950s offer a taste of the trend towards subjective photography (Fritz Brill). The selection concludes with auteur photography in the 1970s (Christian Borchert). Highlights of the Collection of Prints & Drawings are the sizeable holdings on Dada (Hannah Höch and others), New Objectivity (Rudolf Schlichter, Jeanne Mammen, Gertrude Sandmann) and art after 1945 (Hans Uhlmann, Werner Heldt). Post-Expressionist modern art is represented by Edmund Kesting and G.B.R. van Hoboken. Karl Hubbuch and Sascha 1 Wiederhold offer a glimpse of Berlin’s vibrant theatre The drawings on temporary display include works by scene. Works by Rudolf Bauer and Theodor Lesser Ury and Franz Skarbina, members of the Ber- Werner cast light on the difficult years between1933 lin Secession, prints by El Lissitzky and folios by and 1945. Jussuf Abbo und G.B.R. van Hoboken, Edmund Kesting and Sascha Wiederhold. Albert Speer was commissioned by Hitler to cre- ate prestigious monumental architecture in the cen- Artists in the Permanent Exhibition tre of Berlin that would transform the city entirely (selected) into a “capital Germania”. Original documents from Rudolf Bauer, Max Baur, Rudolf Belling, Christian the 1930s record this megalomaniac planning by Borchert, Fritz Brill, Otto Dix, Fidus (Hugo Höppener), the Nazis and the start of work to implement them. George Grosz, Jacoba van Heemskerck, Werner Alongside this, there are regular new displays of Heldt, Hannah Höch, Karl Hofer, Oskar Kokoschka, designs, sketches, photographs and models to illus- Roland Korn, Max Liebermann, El Lissitzky, Jeanne trate major projects in Berlin during the “post-war Mammen, Nicola Perscheid, Ludwig Meidner, Felix modernist” period (1960s to 1980s). Nussbaum, Henry Ries, Erich Salomon, Christian Schad, Manfred Schiedhelm, Alison and Peter Temporary exhibits Smithson, Sasha Stone, Fred Thieler, Hans Uhlmann, Individual works from the permanent exhibition are Anton von Werner, Julie Wolfthorn, Heinrich Zille. occasionally loaned out to other venues. Moreover, prints and drawings that are particularly sensitive to Exhibition architecture and colour design: david saik light are often exchanged on conservation grounds. studio To find out which works are currently on display, visitors can consult the Collection Online in the Per- Towards an accessible museum manent Exhibition section of the museum website Tactile models, tactile floor guidance and an audio (berlinischegalerie.de): app offer access to visitors of little or no sight while http://sammlung-online.berlinischegalerie.de/eMu- providing an art experience that appeals to all the seumPlus senses. This project is a partnership between the Karl Arnold, an illustrator for the famous satirical Berlinische Galerie and the Deutscher Blinden- und weekly Simplicissimus, continued working for the Sehbehindertenverband with funding from the Sen- magazine under the Nazis despite its editorial rea- ate Department for Culture and Europe and the gen- lignment. Once feared for his hard line and critical erous support of Aktion Mensch. content, Arnold evasively produced harmless, humor- ous commentaries on world events. Benno Berneis and Alfred Flechtheim exemplify the devastating effects suffered by Jewish artists and those stigmatised by the Nazis as “degenerate”. Their destinies are reflected by a combination of mate- rial from the Artists’ Archives and pertinent works from the Collection. This thematic emphasis was prompted by the restitution and repurchase of “Tem- ple Dance of the Soul”, a cycle of five paintings by Fidus now on show. During the research into prove- nance conducted at the museum, these works were identified as art stolen by the Nazis, and the heirs to their former owner Richard Neuhäuser (1882–1935) were then traced. 2 Press Press images berlinischegalerie.de/en/press/pressedetail/ Berlinische Galerie permanent-exhibition Ulrike Andres Online tickets Head of Communication and Education berlinischegalerie.de/en/service/online-tickets Tel +49 (0)30 78 902 829 [email protected] Social Media #berlinischegalerie Contact Paula Rosenboom Tel +49 (0)30 78 902 831 [email protected] Berlinische Galerie Berlin’s Museum of Modern Art, Photography and Architecture Alte Jakobstraße 124 –128 10969 Berlin Tel +49 (0)30 78 902 600 berlinischegalerie.de Admission 8€, concessions 5 € (ticket prices subject to change for special exhibitions) Wed – Mon 10 am – 6 pm Tue closed 3.

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