Discover Germany | Culture | Attraction of the Month Germany
Attraction of the Month Germany
From top left: Current exhibition Stefan Rohrer, LotharFischer-Award 2015 (until 30 October 2016). Photo: Marcus Rebmann Lothar Fischer, Jeux des cartes (Card Games), 1966, clay painted, 50 x 40 x 10 cm, Donation STAEDTLER-Foundation. Photo: Andreas Pauly Museum Lothar Fischer, Neumarkt i.d.OPf. Photo: Berschneider + Berschneider, Architects Lothar Fischer, Enigma-Variations for Meßberghof Hamburg, 1996. Photo: Joachim Lindner
Sculptural beauty in Bavaria Lothar Fischer is regarded as one of the most important post-war German sculptors. Come along and explore his heritage and that of other important artists through fascinating exhibitions shown in the artist’s former hometown of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz (i.d.OPf.). TEXT: SONJA IRANI
Born in 1933, Fischer predominately created sculptures, but also ink brush drawings or watercolours that often referred to abstracted human figures, horses and equestrians. From 1975 to 1997, he also made an impact as a professor at the University of Arts, Berlin. As he and his wife did not have any children, the artist set up the Lothar & Christel Fischer Foundation in 2002. Furthermore, he chose Neumarkt i.d.OPf., the town where he spent his childhood and youth, to preserve his own artistic heritage and promote sculptures in general – a form of art which is often neglected by other museums. 48 | Issue 40 | July 2016
In cooperation with the city, the Museum Lothar Fischer opened on 19 June 2004, just four days after the sculptor had passed away. “However, Lothar Fischer was able to significantly influence almost all aspects of his own museum,” explains Dr. Pia Dornacher, who is responsible for exhibition coordination and information. “That’s really rare, almost as if you step into the artist’s own home.” Three temporary exhibitions per year make the museum a very vibrant one. “Representing three different generations of artists, there is one exhibition on early twentieth-century modernism, one focus-
ing on sculpture and painting after 1945 and one about young, contemporary art,” says Dr. Dornacher. Furthermore, the museum offers a broad range of activities for visitors, including guided tours in English. “This summer, we will also launch a new audio guide in English and German,” she adds. If Dr. Pia Dornacher had to choose one aspect that makes her particularly proud it is the visitor numbers, which have consistently risen since the museum first opened its doors 12 years ago.“If you come to Neumarkt i.d.OPf and you’re interested in cars, I would also recommend a visit to the Museum for historical Maybach vehicles. And for friends of classical music, it’s definitely worth to check out the town’s famous classical concert programme provided by the Neumarkter Konzertfreunde.” www.museum-lothar-fischer.de