Von Becher bis Blume

Photographs from the Garnatz Collection

The Cologne-based couple Ute and Eberhard Garnatz impressively demonstrate how inspiring and contemporary a private art collection can be with their collection. Over decades, they have amassed a collection of works that celebrates both painting and photography. Sculptural works are also included. The Garnatz collection is a testament to their enthusiasm and sense of quality. In all of this, proximity to the artists is always important to them. They are not interested in owning a single work, but rather in following the artistic development, sometimes in dialogue over many years. This publication focuses on the photographic focus of the Garnatz Collection and places selected positions in an exciting dialogue with those from the Photographic Collection/SK Stiftung Kultur. It is in particular the documentary conceptual direction, as represented by Bernd and Hilla Becher, for example, that invites this dialogue. The Cologne institution is in charge of the Becher archive, and the Garnatz Collection also contains striking photographs by the artist couple. Stylistically related works by Candida Höfer, Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth are added in this context and expand the artistic discourse. In addition, Ute and Eberhard have collected works by experimental and cross-media artists such as Sigmar Polke. The collector couple has pursued visual languages that congenially combine photographic, painterly and sculptural forms of expression with great interest. An item from the holdings of the Photographic Collection/SK Stiftung Kultur also ties in here: The painter, draughtsman and sculptor Jim Dine has donated his extensive photographic work to the collection. This publication and the exhibition of the same name impressively demonstrate how two collections of different origins enter into an exciting dialogue - creating an expressive visual soundscape.

Artists:
Bernd and Hilla Becher, Boris Becker, Anna and Bernhard Blume, Chargesheimer, Jim Dine, Frank Dömer, Gina Lee Felber, Candida Höfer, Benjamin Katz, Jürgen Klauke, Astrid Klein, Werner Mantz, Augustina von Nagel, Floris Neusüss, Sigmar Polke, Albert Renger-Patzsch, Arnulf Rainer, Hugo Schmölz, Wilhelm Schürmann, Tata Ronkholz, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth

Exhibition:
The Photographic Collection/SK Stiftung Kultur, Cologne, 26/11/2020 - 25/4/2021