"ONLY WE CAN DE-RUBBLE THE WORLD" THE VAN DE LOO FOUNDATION

With Collection+, the Sammlung Moderne Kunst (Modern Art Collection) in the Pinakothek der Moderne has been presenting works from its holdings since 2019. New acquisitions, discoveries and thematic focuses show the diversity of the holdings in collaboration with partners and foundations.

An exhibition in honour of Otto van de Loo (1924–2015) to mark his 100th birthday. In the gallery he opened in 1957, Otto van de Loo championed artists whose visual language was oriented on the playful and whose provocative approach was directed against theesthetics of the smooth. Artistic collaboration played a special role in achieving this aim. In 1970 a number of artists founded the ‘Kinderforum van de Loo’ that continues to promote children’s creativity to this day. In the exhibition, particular focus is to be placed on the creative potential aspect, with a tent construction inviting visitors to join in and immerse themselves in archive material.

The intensive contact between the gallery’s artists that extended to genuine artistic cooperation, played a unique role. The artists’ group SPUR, for example, is intrinsically associated with the Galerie van de Loo, as is Asger Jorn, who not only founded several groups himself but was also interested in building up contact with others from a much wider field and establishing European and international links.

Such exchanges meant a close examination and a common positioning as counterpoints to the perception of art and the art business that prevailed in post-war Germany. Apart from painting, initiatives and collective work became the focus of the artists’ attention. At the same time they saw the possibilities in an open and liberal society of working with children within the gallery’s contextual framework. In 1970, the ‘Kinderforum van de Loo’ was founded that still promotes a liberal creative approach together with an extensive programme of events.

In 2005 the Pinakothek der Moderne dedicated an exhibition curated by Carla Schulz-Hoffmann to Otto van de Loo’s ‘passion for art’, accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue that explored the gallery’s activities. The current presentation honours Otto van de Loo on the anniversary of his 100th birthday and sets out his approach of supporting art that foregrounds the quintessence of human existence, and with it the freedom of art itself. This approach was continued by Marie-José van de Loo and is upheld today by the van de Loo Foundation. A special emphasis is placed on promoting the creative potential of children and young people, as can be experienced in the exhibition as well.

With works by (selected artists): Asger Jorn, Miriam Cahn, Jean Dubuffet, Lothar Fischer, E.R. Nele, Heimrad Prem, Judit Reigl, Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura, HP Zimmer

A publication will accompany the exhibition.

Curators: Dr. Verena Hein in collaboration with Dr. Selima Niggl (Stiftung van de Loo)