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MJW OVERVIEW
Gerd Rothmann, Ear jewellery Sternenohr 1984, Die Neue Sammlung – donation from Galerie Spektrum Photo Die Neue Sammlung (Alexander Laurenzo)
2020
for the space and the jewellery showcases. Additionally, we wanted to develop a solution to make the entrance into the Rotunda easier to find. In collaboration with Berlin-based designer Yang Liu – who was applauded for her light guidance system for Dresden’s Albertinum – an installation featuring neon writing will be created to quite literally present the entrance of the Danner Rotunda in a new light.
CO When selecting three curators instead of one, what did you expect would be the final result?
PH I expected a creative view of the space and a fanciful discussion about the jewellery objects in both collections. And what can I say? They did it! The most interesting part is the coming together of European and Asian aesthetic moments, which you are able to see immediately when coming down the stairs into the Danner Rotunda: it is coloured again!
CO Do you feel that the Danner Rotunda presentations open contemporary jewellery to the general public, or does a visitor need a certain level of knowledge about the field to understand and contextualise the work?
PH Oh, of course! It is interesting for everyone who is curious enough to visit Pinakothek der Moderne to see modern art. However, we have to ask if contemporary art itself is open enough to the general public.
Jewellery at Pinakothek der Moderne, curated by Otto Künzli in 2014 Photo Rainer Viertlböck
CO Could you talk about how the work is going to be presented and why?
MIKIKO MINEWAKI (MM) We wanted to represent the entire collection of jewellery, regardless of who made it or when. It is best to see the real thing! We wanted to share the collection with an open perspective and without preconceptions.
HANS STOFER (HS) Everything was done with little conversation. The concept and the shape of the exhibition grew as we worked. Gradually, the idea of a visual dialogue emerged: the pieces would talk to each other in a playful manner. We would create partnerships where pieces were in a dialogue, forming interconnecting fields of tension where each group of objects was in conversation with the other groups – a bit like when groups of jewellers meet at SCHMUCK to catch up and chat. Because each little constellation is made up of individual objects, the viewer has the possibility to enter into their own dialogue from different points and perspectives. Alexander Blank’s idea to name the display Radar Beeps perfectly captures the way we worked and the way we selected the pieces in each constellation. It is also the way we wanted the audience to approach the show. Radar Beeps demands time, an open mind, no preconceptions and a sense of humour for the magic to happen.
ALEXANDER BLANK (AB) We advanced the selection process in a playful way and listened to the jewellery pieces from the Danner collection and the collection of the Neue Sammlung to let the pieces find a narration in connection with each other.
CO Do you feel that the Danner Rotunda presentations open contemporary jewellery to the general public, or does a visitor need a certain level of knowledge about the field to understand and contextualise the work?
MM I think that a fascination with jewellery is not just for the people in the jewellery world. If someone who doesn’t know about these jewels strays into this room, they could still experience their charms and be surprised by the relationships between them. DANNER ROTUNDA
AB The Danner Rotunda and Pinakothek der Moderne always seek to be open to the general public, so we adopted this goal in our approach towards the 2020 curation. Insiders of the jewellery scene might eventually see different points made within our selection of pieces, but knowledge can also blind us to other possible views and encounters with the pieces. So, it is definitely for both jewellery rookies and pros!
New curation by Mikiko Minewaki, Hans Stofer & Alexander Blank Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum, Pinakothek der Moderne Barer Str. 40, 80333 München, Germany Mon. closed Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 Thu 10:00-20:00