Kunstverein Reutlingen will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2023 with a large-scale group exhibition. Founded as the Hans Thoma Society and housed for many years in the former Town Hall and the Spendhaus, it relocated to the Wandel-Hallen in 2006. For this exhibition, its 1,000 sqm of light-flooded spaces will showcase seven historical artworks that epitomise the institution’s exhibitions of past decades. Beyond this artistic and documentary retrospective, the anniversary exhibition focuses on current art production and future developments.

Through their works, some of which were specifically conceived for the exhibition, contemporary artists such as Ana Alenso, Marie Aly, Mathilde ter Heijne, Anike Joyce Sadiq, Max Schaffer as well as Art&Dialogue and Viola Eickmeier explore the history of the institution and question traditional art-historic narratives. Their statements tie in with the big questions of our time, including the breakneck speed of digitalisation, current gender discourses or the use of natural resources on the backdrop of pressing economic and environmental issues. These themes are developed across the exhibition space and engage in a dialogue with the historical positions on display, but also, importantly, with visitors.

We would like to thank Kunstmuseum Reutlingen, Kreissparkasse Reutlingen and Galerie Reinhold Maas for their kind loans.