The art collection of the Berliner Volksbank and the Kunstforum Berliner Volksbank Foundation celebrate its 40th anniversary. Founded in the divided Berlin of 1985 under the leitmotif “Pictures of humans – pictures for people” and city landscapes in Berlin, the collection enriched the Berlin art scene from the beginning. A special feature was the initial focus on GDR art – at that time a visionary step for a West German art institution.
Berlin at the time of turn, wall opening and reunification
Today the collection comprises over 1,500 works of around 200 artists. The focus is on the German art in question after 1950, especially before and after the eventful period of reunification in and around Berlin. The anniversary exhibition under the title “Mensch Berlin” will draw from this great treasure.
The exhibition takes up the leitmotif at the time and transforms it into the 21st century. In addition to the highlights of the collection, fewer works shown find their place. Exciting rediscoveries meet new discoveries of artistic positions that document the shared and reunited Germany and show life in all facets of this historical era.
A dynamic exhibition experience
During the term in Berlin, from February 20 to June 22, 2025, the exhibition is repeatedly curated. By regularly changing the works, visitors experience the variety of collection in their entire width and gain new insights every time.
“Mensch Berlin” in Vienna
After the Berlin premiere, the exhibition at Bank Austria Kunstforum Vienna is another highlight. From 9 July to August 31, 2025, “Mensch Berlin” is shown in the exhibition hall on Freyung in order to the art historical and cultural -political importance of the collection across the borders To make Germany visible. With the presentation in Vienna, the Kunstforum Berliner Volksbank Foundation underlines the historically grown, close cultural relationship between the two federal capitals.
In the exhibition, works of among other things Gerhard Altenbourg, Annemirl farmer, Norbert Bisky, Claudia Busching, Rainer Fetting, Ellen Fror, Angela Hampel, K. H. Hödicke, Ingeborg Hunzinger, Klaus Killisch, Via Lewandowsky, Wolfgang Mattheuer, Harald Metzkes, Cornelia Schleime, Erika Stürmer-Alex, Werner Tübke, Barbara Quandt And presented many others.
The exhibition at Bank Austria Kunstforum Vienna can be visited with free admission, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information on kunstforum.berlin and kunstforumwien.at
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