"Crucible" begins at the Neue Nationalgalerie
"Every scratch destroys the radicalism." Museum vice president Joachim Jäger looks tense. In Berlin's National Gallery, a six-metre-long painting is being transported through very narrow doorways. Teamwork is required on Monday when "Who is Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue IV" by US artist Barnett Newman (1905-1970) is installed for the upcoming permanent exhibition. The painting, created in 1969/1970 and consisting of huge red, blue and yellow color fields, is part of the new collection presentation "Zerreißprobe", which opens on November 18.
The radically abstract painting caused a stir in the iconic museum building by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) back in the 1980s. The Förderkreis der Nationalgalerie acquired the artwork for 1.2 million dollars (around 2.7 million marks at the time). The price, which was criticized as being too high, caused a huge uproar and even led to threats against the museum team.
The turbulence culminated in a direct attack. In 1982, shortly after acquiring the painting, a young man sneaked into the rooms of the Nationalgalerie and hit the painting with part of the barrier. The restoration was delayed and the painting was not exhibited again until 1984.
The new collection presentation "Zerreißprobe. Art between Politics and Society" shows works from the years 1945 to 2000. Divided into 14 chapters, the exhibition explores central artistic and social themes of the 20th century, including politics and society, identity and nature, but also everyday life and pop.
One room in particular highlights the division and disunity of the time. Among other things, there are works of art with GDR references, and on Monday a bust of the German philosopher Karl Marx by sculptor Heinrich Drake (1881-1970) weighing more than 300 kilograms was set up.
The exhibition runs until September 2025, by which time only around 15 percent of the collection from this period will be on display in the Neue Nationalgalerie - there is not enough space for more. That is why the Museum of the 20th Century is being built next door. The project, which will cost around 450 million euros, is due to be completed in 2027.
The upcoming permanent exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie features "Who is Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue IV" by Barnett Newman, which will be displayed alongside other radical artworks in the "Zerreißprobe" exhibition starting November 18. Visitors can also expect to see exhibitions in nearby museums, as Berlin becomes a hub for art enthusiasts with notable exhibitions at its museums and upcoming projects like the Museum of the 20th Century.
Source: www.dpa.com
