Richard Meier building meets worldwide interest
Private founder bears all expenses / internationally acclaimed collection
Baden-Baden. The minister-president of Baden-Württemberg Erwin Teufel referred to the new Frieder Burda Collection (Sammlung Frieder Burda) museum in Baden-Baden as a major stroke of luck for the German museum scene. Mr.Teufel declared on the occasion of the museums opening, " The collection of the art patron Frieder Burda is an extraordinary gift to the public". After an approximately two year construction period the new museum, designed by renowned New York architect Richard Meier, will now be opened.
The new building, with almost 1000 square meters of exhibition space, is particularly noteworthy due to its direct connection to Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden. For the first time in Germany, a state commission and a private cultural commitment are linked together, here, in this unique form. The exhibitions opening with works from the Frieder Burda collection will extend over to the neighboring Staatliche Kunsthalle.
A clear structure for the museums new building
Richard Meier, who has constructed various noteworthy museum buildings including the Museum of Applied Art in Frankfurt, The Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, compares the new buildings design to "a big villa". For the architect, it is a "Jewel in the Park", on the famous Baden-Baden Lichtentaler Allee. The new museum captivates by virtue of its clear structure, as well as by the application of light and glass. It creates an alternate relationship from its interior to exterior, from art in nature, and from the verdant Allee into the art world. Thus, a highly sophisticated "daylight museum" is created.
Richard Meier: " Light is an important key feature, the most important building material used here. The daylight which brightens the Lichtentaler Allee and the town of Baden-Baden is of a very high quality and clearness; and it now floods the museums interior. Thus, the visitor is allowed the chance to observe the artwork in the same natural light used by the majority of artists while creating their masterpieces.
"The Collection Frieder Burda will, I am convinced, display a unique charisma by its idea and material conversion, not least because space and the experience of art, have a special quality of interaction, here, at this place."
Meier is known for his superior handling of buildings in sensitive environments. Meier: "The new building is harmoniously developing along the Lichtentaler Allee and compliments the Kunsthalle. The proportions of the two buildings correspond to each other somewhat. The result is a compatible ensemble". The outer facades powder coated aluminum plates (75 x 120 centimeters) will be maintained in a muted white--the typical color of the buildings of Richard Meier. In Meiers appraisal, the new building has the effect of being "very open, very transparent and light".
The Frieder Burda Foundation bears all expenses
The builder is The Frieder Burda Foundation, which was founded in 1998 by the Baden-Baden art patron. The most important goal of the foundation is to make the internationally acclaimed collection permanently accessible to the public.
The collector is set on an "Art Axis", stretching from Frankfurt over Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden, to Strasbourg and Basel. The Frieder Burda Foundation will bear all of the approximately 20 million euro expenses. Public funding will not be employed. This also pertains to the operating costs of the new museum. Frieder Burda: "The erection of the new building for the collection is a dream come true for me. The artwork should be enjoyed by everyone. An art center is emerging in Baden-Baden with importance above and beyond the state of Baden-Württemberg alone".
Frieder Burda speaks about Richard Meier: " Richard Meier is one of the greatest architects of our time. His anti-monumental style has always impressed me tremendously. The lightness that characterizes his work is particularly demonstrative in Baden-Baden. Richard Meier, a frequent visitor to Baden-Baden, arduously set out on the museums plans, above all with a great deal of love and sensitivity to nature, to the park and to the neighboring Staatliche Kunsthalle.
Impressive works of later period Picasso
Frieder Burda collection has its roots in Expressionism and today comprises more than 500 paintings, sculptures and works on paper. The focus is on classical modern and contemporary art. The collection includes a total of eight impressive works from Picasso"s later period. American artists of the school of Abstract Expressionism create an art tradition in their own right: The New York School is represented by pictures whose expressive colors call on the emotions of their audience. In addition to paintings from Gottlieb, de Kooning, Pollock and Rothko, the collection contains a significant work by Clyfford Still a true rarity in the European museum scene.
The collection encompasses, in particular, a selection of German post-war artwork. Georg Baselitz is brilliantly represented. Two main works from his partner in Berlin, Eugen Schönebeck, are also included in the collection. The visitor is especially drawn to Anselm Kiefer"s almost six meter long painting, "Böhmen liegt am Meer.
The most important comprehensive works collections in the entire Burda archive are from Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke. Works taken from all stages of their lives offer a retrospective overview of the artists, who influenced the contemporary art.
Frieder Burda fortifies his recent dedication to younger generations of artists. The Frieder Burda collection plans to present the artwork in the new museum to the public in successive installations.
Frieder Burda: "This museum will be timeless. It shall lead people continually to art".
Baden-Baden, 22.Oktober 2004
