Calla Henkel und Max Pitegoff, Institutional Bench, 2014; Photo: Thomas Köster/KunstArztPraxis.de

Are we what we have or is it enough, what we are?

With works by:
Jaakov Agam, Carlo Alfano, Joachim Bandau, Joseph Beuys, Peter Brüning, Franz Bucher, Ursula Burghardt, Michael Buthe, Peter Coviello, Ralph Fleck, Lucio Fontana, Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Thomas Grünfeld, Volkmar Haase, Barbara Hepworth, Zuzanna Janin , Alexej von Jawlensky, Günther C. Kirchbeger, Walter Koch, Norbert Kricke, Dieter Krieg, Peter Lorenz, Adolf Luther, Almir Mavignier, Josef Neuhaus, Alicia Penalba, Otto Piene, Bettina Pousttchi, Gerhard Richter, Rob Scholte, Bernard Schultze, Jürgen Teller, Wolf Vostell

The exhibition to be & to have (sein & haben) sees itself as an experiment. The title is loosely based on Erich Fromm and his book To Have or To Be (1976), whose socio-critical approach seems more relevant today than ever. Fromm in his book contrasts a way of existence determined by the pursuit of possessions and profit with the alternative of a fulfilled, self-determined life of being.

Is art a have or a be? Do we understand it primarily as a possession (goods, investment, art treasure) or as a means and occasion for our self-questioning and self-development? And what changes when we turn a have into a participation?

The starting point of the exhibition project is the art collection of the city of Leverkusen − understood as the collection of the citizens − and the question of how a city museum can make a relevant contribution to reflecting on current issues and offering opportunities for participation. Ten citizens from Leverkusen were invited to enter into a dialogue with curator Thekla Zell and to select works. In addition to the artworks in the collection, the five thematic areas on which the Museum Morsbroich would like to work in the coming years marked the starting point. The goal of the exchange was to jointly arrive at a selection of works that would be formed exclusively according to personal relevance: 10 people, 10 perspectives, 10 exhibition spaces.

Can works be found in the collection (or not) that raise questions about fundamental thematic fields of our present and that can relate to the questions, the everyday challenges or longings of the ten participants? Can an art collection (as a have) be activated so that it stimulates a city society in its being?

With special thanks to

Gülüzar Büyrü-Yildirim, Dennis Dawid (und Agnes Husung), Christiane Gäcke, Birgit Glüsen, Jonas Hofmann, Olive, Marion GenRai Lukas, Rolf Nietzard, Peter Reich and Uwe Richrath

We look forward to seeing you there!

From the left to the right, starting left at the top:

1: Gülüzar Büyrü-Yildirim, former art student at the Istanbul Art Academy - now owner of the Antalya Markt in Leverkusen-Manfort

2: Dennis Dawid, 22 years old, student with special skills and former intern at the Museum Morsbroich

3: Christiane Gäcke, Dipl. Social pedagogue, Women's Counselling Centre Leverkusen e.V.

4:Prof. Dr. Birgit Glüsen, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Cologne University of Technology / Campus Leverkusen

5: Jonas Hofmann, footballer at Bayer 04 Leverkusen and player of the German national football team

6: Olive, 19 years old, studies archaeology and music education, lives in Leverkusen

7: Marion GenRai Lukas, 1. Chairman, Zaltho Sangha e.V., Leverkusen

8: Rolf Nietzard, former chairman of the general and works council of Bayer AG and member of the supervisory board Bayer AG

9: Peter Reich, postman Leverkusen-Alkenrath, human and dog friend

10: Uwe Richrath, Lord Mayor of the City of Leverkusen

Photos: Jochen Müller / Museum Morsbroich, Leverkusen

Program
 

Chats at the fireside

Hunting Room, Museum Morsbroich, Thursday at 6 p.m.:

• November 30
• December 7
• December 14
• February 1
• February 15

Free admission

Does art have real relevance for the people of the city? What conditions does it need to do so? Can works be found in the museum's collection (or not) that relate to the questions, everyday challenges, or yearnings of the citizensens?

Thekla Zell (curator) talks with the citizens involved in the exhibition about their motivation to participate in the exhibition and about the selection of artworks for "their" exhibition space. Depending on the size of the group, a short visit to the exhibition will precede the chat at the fireside.

• Thurs, Nov 30, 2023, 6p.m.
  Guest: Olive, 19, studies archaeology and music education, lives in Leverkusen
• Thu., December 7, 2023, 6 p.m.
  Guest: Rolf Nietzard, former Chairman of the Works Council of Bayer AG and member of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG
• Thu., December 14, 2023, 6 p.m.
  Guest: Peter Reich, letter carrier Leverkusen-Alkenrath, human and dog lover
• Thu., February 1, 2024, 6 p.m.
  Guest: Uwe Richrath, Lord Mayor of the City of Leverkusen
• Thu., February 15, 2024, 6 p.m.
  Guest: Marion GenRai Lukas, 1st Chairwoman, Zaltho Sangha e.V., Leverkusen

Walk & talk

Joint walk through the exhibition »to be & to have« with Thekla Zell, curator of the exhibition.

• Sunday, December 3, 2023, 12 p.m.

Public guided tours »to be & to have. The collection of the citizens«

• Every Sunday, 3 p.m.

Family guided tour »to be & to have« followed by an open family workshop »The Art Discoverers«

• Sunday, December 3, 2023, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, January 7, 2024, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, February 4, 2024, 2 p.m.