DG 33 bis 55. Eine Ausstellung zur Vereinsgeschichte

In the organizer's words:

Zero hour? How we became what we are:
DG. 33 to 55
An exhibition on the history of the association

Opening Thursday, January 30, 2025, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Exhibition from January 31 to March 27, 2025

The exhibition 'DG. 33 to 55' offers a comprehensive insight into a formative phase of the German Society for Christian Art and examines the association's dealings with the art policy of the National Socialist state as well as its activities during and immediately after the end of the Second World War. Using original articles and correspondence from this period, the challenges and reactions of the Kunstverein in a politically restrictive environment are documented.

The Kunstverein Deutsche Gesellschaft für christliche Kunst e.V. was founded in 1893. During the Third Reich, the Catholic Church and the Archbishop of Freising guaranteed the independence of the association: it was protected by the Catholic Church under the Concordat. The Nazi regime had no access to the association and could not subject it to National Socialist art policy. On March 26, 1946, the president of the German Society for Christian Art signed a declaration in which he assured that the association did not tolerate any supporters of National Socialism or any active party members in influential positions in the association.

As the office building at Wittelsbacherplatz 2, where the premises of the German Society for Christian Art were located, was massively destroyed during the Second World War, the Kunstverein no longer had its own exhibition space after 1945 and therefore organized exhibitions at various other venues in Munich and elsewhere. The first exhibition of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für christliche Kunst under the title 'Contemporary Christian Art' took place in the Neue Sammlung München (garden wing of the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum).

The archive exhibition 'DG. 33 to 55' is particularly relevant, as the history of the association from 1933 to 1955 is only incompletely known and the relevant documents have not yet been digitized or processed. The presentation encourages visitors to examine key questions: How did the German Society for Christian Art deal with the conditions of National Socialism? What exhibitions and association activities took place at this time? What developments characterized the post-war period?

The Kunstverein continued its exhibition activities in difficult times, especially during National Socialism, in order to preserve its cultural identity and the freedom of art. This continuity shows how important it is to protect and promote cultural values even in times of crisis. The DG has always promoted dialog between art, the church and society. This is reflected in its collaboration with various artists and institutions. In today's world, this interdisciplinary exchange is just as important for tackling social challenges together.

The exhibition is part of 'Stunde Null? How we became what we are' by the Cultural Department of the City of Munich / Public History Munich.
www.public-history-muenchen.de

With the kind support of the Cultural Department of the City of Munich / Public History Munich and the Verein Ausstellungshaus für christliche Kunst e.V. München.

Free admission