27/10/2018 - 24/03/2019

To Catch a Ghost

Museum für Neue Kunst

The occult experiences something of a boom during times of crisis and is thus present in all media at the moment. For what appears inexplicable tends to fascinate and unnerve us in equal measure. The Museum für Neue Kunst is also taking a look at the topic. However, were the ghosts that need to be caught actually created by artists? Or are they figments of our imagination? Reality starts out in our brains. A figurine is transformed into a mystical being through our imagination. What was a broom a minute ago can suddenly turn into a creepy, ghostly object. This show plays on expectations, but also our secret fears and nebulous intuitions. Although we cannot see it, is there nevertheless something there we can only feel? How do we go about proving what we perceive?

Equipped with hand torches, visitors are encouraged to make their way through the rooms that have been partially blacked-out. Perhaps some artworks will remain hidden as a result. A sound installation composed specifically for the show reinforces the fact that sound has the power to generate fear. Ranging form the New Objectivity to contemporary works, the exhibited paintings, sculptures, videos and installations are part of the Museum's collection. The seemingly familiar is transformed into the uncanny. An exhibition as an experiment in perception aimed at encouraging visitors to revisit what it is that gives us the creeps.

The Museum für Neue Kunst will be screening a programme of films in its own cinema: alongside experimental shorts, the programme will feature both classic and current spooky films.

With works by
Arcangelo, Karin Hildegard Bilyk, Julius Bissier, Jürgen Brodwolf, Walter Diederichs, Rudolf Dischinger, Martin Disler, Peter Dreher, Sandra Eades, Gerhard Elsner, Alfred J. Enderlein, Walter Giers, Franz Gutmann, Gretel Haas-Gerber, Mathilde ter Heijne, Alfonso Hüppi, Horst Egon Kalinowski, Jochen Kitzbihler, Werner Knaupp, Gudrun Krüger, Susanne Kühn, Anna Löbner, Priska von Martin, Mandana Moghaddam, Christopher Muller, Irene Müller, Cristina Ohlmer, Lothar Quinte, Michel Sauer, Reinhard Schakowski, Walter Schelenz, Richard Schindler, Melitta Schnarrenberger, Wilhelm Schnarrenberger, Georg Scholz, Turi Simeti, Hubert Sonner, Pia Stadtbäumer, Curt Stenvert, Peter Vogel, Hannsjörg Voth, Romy Weber, Manfred Wild, Michaela Wirsig, Dietmar Josef Zapf and a sound installation by Norbert Lang