ÜberNatur–Natural Takeover

August 1, 2020–July 31, 2022

The 10th edition of the KölnSkulptur biannual exhibition of contemporary outdoor sculpture adds eight new artworks to the Skulpturenpark Köln. Taking the physical location of the park into consideration, wedged between the Rhine, the Cologne Zoo, the Flora, and its adjunct Botanical Garden, it seemed apt to commission works for KölnSkulptur #10 inspired by nature and corresponding to these surrounding environments.

Now, in the summer of 2020, this reverence for the natural environment is charged with even greater urgency. KölnSkulptur #10 opens during a devastating worldwide pandemic enabled through the rare jump of a virus from wild animal to human, escalated by ever-expanding globalization and increased travel.

The exhibition oscillates between the smallest work, a replica of Lonely George – the Hawaiian tree snail and last of its species, which died in 2019 after scientists spent fourteen years unsuccessfully trying to find it a mate – by Ayşe Erkmen, and the largest work, two artificial trees designed to camouflage mobile data antennae and other surveillance equipment, initially mass-produced in China and freshly imported from last year’s Venice Biennale, by Dane Mitchell.

The “new normal” created by this global pandemic is causing us to see the world through different eyes, and art and art exhibitions especially will be looked at through this altered lens. Raising awareness of international economic correlations and creating a wider understanding of the deep impact these have on the natural environment and vice versa is now of utmost urgency. While KölnSkulptur #10 can’t hope to answer these most challenging questions, it can help to articulate some of the most pressing issues.

Tobias Berger

Participating artists

Mary Bauermeister, John Bock, Tom Burr, James Lee Byars, Nina Canell, Leelee Chan, Edith Dekyndt, Bogomir Ecker, Ayşe Erkmen, Peter Fischli / David Weiss, Barry Flanagan, Sou Fujimoto, Dan Graham, Lena Henke, Jenny Holzer, Bethan Huws, Leiko Ikemura, Anish Kapoor, Stefan Kern, Hubert Kiecol, Per Kirkeby, Klara Lidén, Dane Mitchell, Katja Novitskova, Jorge Pardo, Mandla Reuter, Ulrich Rückriem, Michael Sailstorfer, Karin Sander, Thomas Schütte, Joel Shapiro, Andreas Slominski, Mauro Staccioli, Mark di Suvero, Rosemarie Trockel, Simon Ungers, Bernar Venet, Bernard Voïta, Paul Wallach, Lois Weinberger, Martin Willing, Guan Xiao, Trevor Yeung, Heimo Zobernig

Curator Tobias Berger

Tobias Berger is Head of Art, Tai Kwun Centre of Heritage and Arts in Hong Kong. After studying art history and economics at Ruhr-University Bochum and completing the De Appel Curatorial Training Programme in Amsterdam, he worked as a curator at the Museum Fridericianum in Kassel. In 2002 Tobias Berger became the artistic director of the 8th Baltic Triennial of International Art in Vilnius, Lithuania, and between 2003 and 2005 he was the director of ARTSPACE NZ in Auckland, New Zealand. He was executive director of Para Site Art Space in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2008. Tobias Berger served as the chief curator at the Nam June Paik Art Center in Seoul, South Korea, from 2008 to 2010, and from 2010 to 2015 he was curator of visual arts at the M+ Museum in Hong Kong.

Assistant curator Anna Czerlitzki

Skulpturenpark Köln A sculpture museum in nature

Through the private initiative of collectors Dr. Michael († 2005) and Dr. Eleonore († 2007) Stoffel, the park was founded in 1997. The KölnSkulptur series is a biennial exhibit, by which a revolving cast of curators and the distinctive conceptions on contemporary outdoor sculpture they bring with them, continuously alters the park’s appearance. There, new sculptures from national and international artists are experienced alongside well-established works of art. In this manner, there is a delightful contrast established between urban nature and the pieces themselves. Since 2008, the non-profit Foundation Skulpturenpark Köln has sustained the founders’ vision of “a permanent Sculpture museum in nature”.

KölnSkuptur #10 is kindly supported by Michael und Eleonore Stoffel Förderstiftung City of Cologne

Please note: because of the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no official opening for the exhibition.

Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln Information Elsa-Brändström-Straße 9 Skulpturenpark Köln 50668 Köln Entrance: Riehler Straße and Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer Germany Phone: +49 (0)221 33 66 88 60 Opening hours Fax: +49 (0)221 33 66 88 69 Open daily E-Mail: [email protected] April - September 10.30 a.m. - 7 p.m. October - March 10.30 a.m - 5 p.m. Press contact: Susanne Boecker Admission Free Phone: +49 (0)157 37 59 89 83 E-Mail: [email protected] Public guided tour: Every first Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. KölnSkulptur #10 is kindly supported by Meeting point: Entrance Riehler Straße Michael und Eleonore Stoffel Förderstiftung City of Cologne Adults: 8 EUR; Discounts: 2 EUR; Children free (up to ten years of age) www.skulpturenparkkoeln.de