Archive presentation and tour: Bourgeoisie, art, and continuities circa 1950

Tuesday, July 15

What events, individuals, and dynamics shaped the activities of Kunstverein München after 1945? What continuities with the Nazi era can be identified in its social structure and curatorial program? The institution’s archive has significant gaps spanning the first half of the 20th century. Records held in other Munich archives are therefore important resources for reconstructing the association’ activities in the period after 1945. On the occasion of a presentation in the Archive Space, photographs from the estate of the freelance photojournalist Felicitas Timpe were digitized. Timpe photographed the exhibition openings at the Kunstverein between 1954 and 1956. Her pictures provide the first visual insight into the exhibitions, events, and social settings of this period. The Photo Archive of Felicitas Timpe is part of the Image Archive of the Bavarian State Library.

During a guided tour, archivist Leona Koldehoff will give insights into the research process for the presentation Bourgeoisie, art, and continuities circa 1950. In dialogue with the participants, she will discuss the influence of political, artistic, and civic networks in the city on the activities of the Kunstverein after 1945 as well as the importance of photographic documentation of different events.

The archive presentation will be on view until August 17 and is part of the city-wide cultural program 1945 - 2025 ‘Zero Hour?’ of the Cultural Department of the City of Munich.