For the first time since its inauguration in 1992, the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany is honouring the commitment of private collectors with a major exhibition presenting a selection of 145 works by 57 artists from 15 private collections in Germany, France and Switzerland.

Why Curious? The exhibition throws into sharp relief the key questions that have shaped contemporary art and provides a glimpse of the art to come. It invites reflection and offers ample food for thought. All it takes the viewer to make use of that offer is a healthy dose of curiosity.


The exhibition tells the story of contemporary art in several chapters of varied comprehensiveness. Central to the narrative is the question how art responds to the current political, social and private reality. What unites all the artists presented in Curious? – the majority of whom were born in the 1960s and 70s – is that they develop their work on the basis of clear concepts and strategies. Entire groups of works rub shoulders with small, solitary pieces that make a specific point. The artists follow two main lines of enquiry that come to the fore in this exhibition. One gives rise to a radical paring down of form and a minimalist use of material, in which narrative is the result of the form, material and structure of the work; the other favours clearly legible figuration, the broad use of narrative devices and does not shy away from shocking or irritating imagery.

In view of the global cultural competition that marks the beginning of the 21st century, this new series of exhibitions at the Art and Exhibition Hall examines the potential relationship between public museums and private collections, between the representatives of historical continuity and a host of new public spaces for art.

Part of the remit of the Art and Exhibition Hall is to reflect the wider cultural landscape and the forward-looking forces that drive it. For this reason this exhibition marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation with leading private collectors of contemporary art both in Germany and in the neighbouring countries.

Collections:
About Change, Collection
Sammlung Boros
Sammlung Evergreen Berlin
Sammlung Falckenberg, Hamburg
Collection Antoine de Galbert, Paris
Collection Marc et Josée Gensollen, Marseille
Sammlung Goetz
Sammlung Haubrok
Sammlung KiCo
Sammlung Paul Maenz, Berlin
Olbricht Collection
Privatsammlung Köln
Sammlung Ringier, Schweiz
Sammlung Gaby und Wilhelm Schürmann
Julia Stoschek Foundation e.V.

Artists:
Vito Acconci, Doug Aitken, Heike Baranowsky, Hubert Becker, Karla Black, John Bock, Carol Bove, Birgit Brenner, Anthony Burdin, Patty Chang, Jake und Dinos Chapman, Hanne Darboven, Nathalie Djurberg, Cheryl Donegan, Sam Durant, Marcel Dzama, Cao Fei, Fischli/Weiss, Richard Fleischer, Ceal Floyer, Gelitin, General Idea, Wade Guyton, Guyton\Walker, Philippe Halsman, Diango Hernandez, Hannah Höch, Pierre Joseph, William Kentridge, Kitty Kraus, Michael Kunze, Alicja Kwade, Lisa Lapinski, Mark Leckey, Daniel Lergon, Lucy McKenzie, Alex McQuilkin, Lorna Macintyre, Kris Martin, Mathieu Mercier, Hans Niehus, Paulina Olowska, Roman Ondák, Pavel Pepperstein, Raymond Pettibon, Peter Piller, Seth Price, Thomas Scheibitz, Tino Sehgal, Katja Strunz, Vibeke Tandberg, Mathilde ter Heijne, Mario Garcia Torres, Jens Ullrich, Cathy Wilkes, Johannes Wohnseifer, Aaron Young