What is the present? Between Kunstverein and Museum

08.11.2011

*Martin Engler (Head of Painting and Sculpture after 1945, Städel Museum) in conversation with Holger Kube Ventura (Director, Frankfurter Kunstverein), Moderation: Swantje Karich (Art editor, Feuilleton F.A.Z.)*

The Frankfurter Kunstverein is one of the oldest and most prestigious art associations in Germany. Frankfurter Kunstverein, and Städel Museum are historically linked. In the time of their founding both were located in a common building at the Neue Mainzer Strasse. One founding purpose was the promotion of contemporary art in addition to the support of the Städel Museum in purchases for the collection. How has the relationship of the two art institutions developed in the 21rst century, what are the different interests in contemporary art, which common concerns can be formulated and why is the Frankfurter Kunstverein today does not buying more contemporary art for the museum anymore? These were the central themes of the conversation “What is the present? Between Kunstverein and Museum” between Holger Kube Ventura, Martin Engler and Swantje Karich.

The Städel Museum engaged in a discussion “Open for the present. The Städel visits…” about possible approaches to the art of the present, speaking with representatives of the MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, the Frankfurter Kunstverein, the Portikus and the Goethe Universität. This was a series of discussions on contemporary art presented at the occasion of the Städel Museum’s extension.

The project is supported by the “Museumskooperationspool der Stadt Frankfurt am Main”.