A satellite of the major retrospective on Sigmar Polke at the Museum Ludwig: Polke’s Biennale cycle of six synthetic-resin paintings in Mönchengladbach and the “making of” his German Pavilion at the 42nd Venice Biennale in 1986. The Museum Abteiberg presents previously unseen films by Sigmar Polke shot between 1984 and 1986. In experimental, sketch-like, multiple exposures on 16 mm film, Polke filmed the pavilion, preparation, working processes, opening and the award ceremony in the summer of 1986, plus many motifs and fringe elements that combine to form a great pool of his inspiration. Unlike his films from the 1960s and 70s, Polke’s permanent cinematic vision and work in the 80s is largely unknown and now represents a newly discovered reference for his visual artwork.
In addition to the large-scale projection of these films, the exhibition presents several original objects and materials from the German pavilion, which won the Golden Lion in 1986. The Curator was Dierk Stemmler, the then Director of the Museum Abteiberg. The Mönchengladbach collection subsequently managed to acquire the large cycle of synthetic-resin paintings and two other large paintings, while Polke’s in-situ mural, a meteorite, a rock crystal and the overall interaction of his works in one space have been lost and forgotten.
PROGRAM
23 April 2015, 8 pm
as part of the festival Ensemblia 2015
APPARAT, MIT DEM EINE KARTOFFEL EINE ANDERE UMKREISEN KANN
(“APPARATUS WITH WHICH ONE POTATO CAN CIRCLE ANOTHER”)
(Experimental electro-acoustic composition in memory of Sigmar Polke) by Jan St. Werner and Damo Suzuki
31 May 2015, 3 pm
LECTURE and DISCUSSION
POLKE’S QUESTIONS TO A GEOLOGIST. Recollections of a visit by Sigmar Polke by Ulrike Stottrop, Head of the Science Collection at the Ruhr Museum Essen
Presented in cooperation with the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, with generous funding by the Viehof Collection.
