Company Collections RUHR.2010
Art from companies in the Ruhr
Imi Knoebel, Constellation, 1975/84, Evonik Industries Art Collection / Photo: Evonik Industries
The companies of the Ruhr continue a tradition started at the beginning of the 20th century by art collector and founder of the Museum Folkwang Karl Ernst Osthaus with his "Folkwang Concept". His aim was to promote cultural development alongside economic development in the Ruhr industrial region and in so doing "create a base for artistic life in this western industrial region".
Osthaus' vision has become reality and today's Ruhr Metropolis has a unique and rich artistic landscape. Outstanding masterpieces from all artistic genres can be found in the region’s museums as well as in private and corporate collections. The exhibition shows some examples of the diverse works of art owned by regional companies.
So far works of art from more than 50 firms have been viewed and selected by a board of experts consisting of the exhibition curator as well as the directors of the Bochum Kunstmuseum, Von der Heydt Museum in Wuppertal, Museum Folkwang in Essen and Munich’s Haus der Kunst. The genres on display include expressionist and surrealist paintings, works from the informal art tradition, abstract expressionism and contemporary national and international art, e.g. works representing the Leipzig School and current American trends.
Photography is also included in corporate collections, notable amongst which are works by Bernd and Hilla Becher and their students. Additional genres and media in the collections, such as graphics, sculpture and video, also have high artistic quality. Individual outstanding exhibits from collections of non-European art and culture are also represented. In addition, a network has been created by the Bochum Kunstmuseum and the pro Ruhrgebiet Association from the companies in the Ruhr towns and cities in order to provide access at the company’s sites to works of art that could not be included in the exhibition for reasons of content or space.
October 31, 2010 – February 6, 2011
Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wed 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed on Mondays, Kunstmuseum Bochum
Partners: pro Ruhrgebiet Association, Museum Bochum
For further information, please visit: www.bochum.de/kunstmuseum