What's On at Europe's Museums
January 12, 2004
A New Era
German Historical Museum (Zeughaus), Berlin
The reconstruction and restoration of the German Historical Museum on Berlin's stately Unter den Linden boulevard is now complete. A newly installed permanent exhibition on German history will cover an area of 7,500 square meters in the centrally located Zeughaus. The upper level of the main building will be dedicated to early German history up to the years 1918/19. The lower level will be home to exhibits documenting the Weimar Republic to the present. For those interested in seeing what's happened to the building since German reunification, the empty museum is open to the public until January 18. A total of € 25 million has been spent on the restoration of the Baroque palace, including an exterior facelift, a new glass-covered courtyard, and a glass extension designed by U.S. architect I.M. Pei, to host temporary exhibits.
The renovated Zeughaus is open until Jan. 18, 2004; the official reopening will happen later this year. Current exhibits are taking place in the Pei Building. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Vuillard in London
Royal Academy of Arts, London
Parisian society of the Belle Epoque was one of the main subjects that fascinated French painter Eduard Vuillard (1868 – 1940). Heavily influenced by Paul Gauguin's use of color and symbolism, Vuillard was also skilled at observing everyday family life, and was one of the foremost practitioners of Intimisme – psychological dramas full of intimacy. London's Royal Academy of Arts is showing a major retrospective of Vuillard's work under the title "From Post-Impressionist to Modern Master." The exhibition, which has already made appearances in the U.S. and France, includes more than 200 works encompassing Vuillard's full range of subject matter, as well as his work in photography.
"Vuillard: From Post-Impressionist to Modern Master" runs from Jan. 31 to April 18, 2004. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays to 10 p.m.
Poetry in Motion
Atelier Augarten, Vienna
For Belgian artist Panamarenko, the dream of flight is less about perfecting the technical details, and more about sheer poetry. His flying machines are poetic installations, that help the human imagination take flight. The exhibition entitled "Panamarenko: Multiples" contains 125 objects, lithographs, drawings and photographs by the artist and inventor, dating from the 1960's to the present. It can be seen until February 22 at Vienna's Atelier Augarten, the contemporary art center of Austria's Belvedere Gallery.
"Panamarenko: Multiples" runs through Feb. 22, 2004. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sugimoto Photos in Italy
Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
Over the past 25 years, Japan's Hiroshi Sugimoto has developed into one of the most fascinating photographers of our time. The Tokyo-born artist began his studies at California's Art Center College in 1970, where he was influenced by the the conceptual art and minimalism then dominating the American art scene. In 1974, he moved to New York. A large exhibition at the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples brings together 12 oversize black and white photographs depicting seascapes, architecture, as well as personalities such as Diana, Princess of Wales, and Pope John Paul II.
"Hiroshi Sugimoto" runs through Feb. 29. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jewish Life in Western Germany
Jewish Museum Westfalen, Dorsten, Germany
The Jewish Museum Westfalen has opened its new permanent exhibition on the lives and history of Jews in this western region of Germany. The second part of "Jewish Ways of Life in Westfalen" makes use of 14 biographies to document the fate of various men and women from the Middle Ages until the present. The exhibition details the lives of Jewish merchants, educators, artists, rabbis, politicians, and footballers, among others. By following in the footsteps of these Jewish personalities, some of whom are still living, visitors are meant to experience history through their perspective. According to the museum, the exhibition does not only show the crises and catastrophes that have marked German – Jewish relations, it also shows positive examples of how the two cultures have enriched each other.
"Jewish Ways of Life in Westfalen" is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On weekends and holidays, the museum is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.