5 Questions To – Interview Highlights

5 Questions to Mr. Stefan F. Höglmaier

Founder of Euroboden and BNKR

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

Our overall project at Euroboden is to bring architectural quality into our cities and to raise awareness for what we call “architectural culture”. We want to demonstrate that architectural uniqueness can be combined with commercial, ecological and social sustainability. And I think our new developments, such as the “Derzbachhof” in Forstenried or the office building “Hammerschmidt” in the east of Munich, show that it can.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

I am particularly fascinated by avantgarde movements of all kinds, in arts, literature or architecture, in the classical modern epoch as well as today. I keep being impressed by artists who pursue their ideas radically and with a critical understanding of the theoretical discourses of their time. This is how artists help shaping the future – by establishing a sense of innovation and progress in society.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

I created a new app: Melon - a digital platform which stemmed from my desire to make vegan food easily accessible to all, thus serving as a catalyst for a much needed nutrition turnaround.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

The big strength of the HIGHLIGHTS is that it combines different art epochs. With this broad view, the HIGHLIGHTS shows that there is a sense of artistic quality and innovation that runs through all artistic and architectural epochs, and that unites architects and artists from the old days until today.

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

I like Hans Hartung and the way in which he combines different media in his art, preparing for instance his painting with photographic tools. The expressionism of Alexej von Jawlensky appeals to me for the radicalism in which he, and expressionism in general, offers a new way in which to engage with reality. Finally, Christopher Thomas’ photography “Flatiron” captures a lot of the unique spirit of this architectural icon.

5 Questions to Dr. Klingsöhr-Leroy

DIRECTOR OF FRANZ MARC MUSEUM IN KOCHEL AM SEE

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I am preparing an exhibition for the Franz Marc Museum about self-portraits oft the artists of German Expressionism – a show about the self-fashioning of the artist in the first two decades of the 20th century.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

It’s a difficult choice! But outside of the 20th century one of my favorite epochs is the Renaissance in Europe.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

I love literature, especially from the19th and 20th century, walking in nature, and going to the theatre.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

I like this format very much: high quality art works presented in a beautiful space in the heart of the city!

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

Beginning with the Renaissance, I admire the collector’s cabinet with various artworks up to the 17th century from Kunstkammer Georg Laue. Another favourite, as I am very fond of this period, are Franz von Stuck’s Lovers at the edge of the woods from 1892 offered by Kunkel Fine Art. A piece from the 20th century I love is the work on paper by Gotthard Graubner from 1996/99 from Beck & Eggeling.

5 Questions To Dr. Frank Matthias Kammel

DIRECTOR GENERAL AT BAYERISCHES NATIONALMUSUEM IN MUNICH

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

An exhibition about the Münnerstadt altar piece by Tilman Riemenschneider and Veit Stoß, titled “Art and Capital Offenses”. It will be open at the end of November at Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich and will tell an exciting story!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

My favourite has always been the Middle Ages, but I admire the modern and contemporary art too, because it’s so stimulating. In fact, there is no epoch I’m not interested in.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

To read thick books to relax, especially fiction, classic novels preferred.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

It’s an essential place for all art lovers, especially for those who love surprises.

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

Vera Mercer: Green. – It is so exhilarating and soothing.

Johann Gregor Höroldt: Bourdalou. – It is so crazy and luxurious.

Ferdinand von Reznicek: Pierrot. – He is so charming and dreamy.

5 Questions To Mon Müllerschön

ART CONSULTANT / CURATOR / COLUMNIST

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I really love working with young artists. During the lockdown I was shocked to learn that so many young artists were not able to get financial help. I founded a WhatsApp-group called „Support The Artists“ and invited friends, clients, collectors to join. Once a week I am introducing a new artist and his/her work and it works! I am selling art and am able to support artists.I took it a step further and launched „curatedartists.de“ with my co-curators Benedikt Müller and Alexander Winokurow, a website where we introduce our personal choice of artists.Right now we are working on a concept for a special art fair for upcoming artists, which is supposed to start in 2021. Stay tuned for more information! So exciting!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

Dutch still lifes of the so-called Golden Age (17th century), Classical Greek and Roman Antiquities, Contemporary Art

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

I am proud to be a member of the worldwide leadership program of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt in Munich. It promotes responsible leadership and inspires leaders worldwide to work towards a peaceful, just and sustainable future inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

The answer is quite simple: QUALITY! The array of art and antiques at the fair is phenomenal. Dealers bring their best objects. There is something to be said about the magnificence of seeing masterpieces of creativity, whether they are paintings, sculptures, or else. And at HIGHLIGHTS you are able to see those pieces in a beautiful surrounding with extravagant booths and wonderful flower arrangements.

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

I am always excited to see what Ira Stehmann brings to the fair and I have to say my expectations were fulfilled, the photographs of Miho Kajioka and Albarrán Cabrera are exquisite! Since my archaeology studies I am big time into classical Greek and Roman antiquities. The famous Swiss dealer Jean-David Cahn brought a marvellous piece, the Greek marble „Head of an Idol“ (2600 BCE), which is of timeless beauty. At Kunkel Fine Art I discovered this work by Robert Longo: „Study of Eagle Head“ (2016) in charcoal and ink on paper. Drawing is Longo’s primary medium. Over the past two decades, he has focused on charcoal, creating drawings that demonstrate an extraordinary level of technical virtuosity.

5 questions to Dr. Sonja Lechner

Art historian / art consultant

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

Besides the daily art consulting for companies and private collectors, I am busy preparing the exhibition "Münchner Meisterklasse IV: Sebastian Maas und Janka Zöller“ at the moment, which we will be on view at Kunstforum Münchner Bank starting November 11th. As curator of this forum, this series is particularly close to my heart, since art by young students or graduates of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts is shown there in the form of a sales exhibition, from which the artists receive 100 percent of the proceeds. In addition, individual purchases from the exhibitions are building up the Münchner Bank's own art collection – a wonderful concept in my opinion!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

I received my doctorate with a thesis on Caravaggio – therefore the Roman Baroque is and remains one of my favourite epochs. But the extraordinary joy of being an art historian is that art offers us a "picture" of each era, or rather countless of them, and that all these explications are interwoven with each other – there is no "today" without the "before", and this knowledge of the former makes the admiration of the contemporary all the more lasting.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

Lego ergo sum: Whenever my time allows, I read and find it very satisfying to feel connected with the creators of literature over the centuries. Moreover, I love to move in nature, I cycle daily to each of my appointments in Munich, in the evenings I walk along the Isar river and on weekends I go swimming in summer and climb the mountains during the other seasons!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

What makes HIGHLIGHTS unique is not only its location in one of Munich's most beautiful buildings, the Residenz, but also the fact that it offers a range of artistic creations that goes not only through the centuries, but also across genres and artistic techniques: Walking through the fair is therefore like a walk through secula of the most exquisite works in the fields of painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, furniture, jewellery, silver and porcelain.

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

It's almost impossible for me to commit myself to three, since so many pieces inspire me: The offer of works by Joan Miró at the Galerie Boisserée is remarkable, Julia Feininger at Kunkel Fine Art was a completely new discovery for me, and originating from Finland I am naturally very fond of the furniture of Alvar Aaalto at the Galerie Vogdt.

5 Questions to Bernd Schreiber

PRESIDENT OF BAYERISCHE VERWALTUNG DER STAATLICHEN SCHLÖSSER, GÄRTEN UND SEEN

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

The preservation of garden art – all garden monuments in Germany face existential difficulties and questions triggered by climate change.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EPOCH/ART WORK?

The Rococo! This epoch still characterises Bavaria in many ways today. In Munich my favourites are the Cuvilliés Theatre, the Amalienburg and of course the Rich Rooms of the Residenz. The masterpieces of the porcelain manufactories Meissen, Nymphenburg and Frankenthal are also favourites!

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (BESIDES ART)?

For me, art in any form means the communication of emotions by the artist. But whether these emotions reach the viewer and fascinate him in the end, depends on many influences. For me personally, besides the perfect presentation of the work, the School of Seeing plays an outstanding role, especially in Contemporary Art. And this exciting process of learning never ends, thank God! As Goethe already knew: „The best education for a clever person is found in travel.“ In this respect, the answer is simple: traveling!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN MUNICH?

In short, the HIGHLIGHTS International Art Fair Munich is the meeting place for the art world in the most beautiful ambience and at the highest level in Germany.

CURATOR’S CHOICE – WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS 2020?

The Court covered cup (1626-1630) by David Roll offered by Kunstkammer Georg Laue – the magnificent covered cup by master goldsmith David Roll is fascinating by the high quality of its workmanship, which can be observed especially in the flower bouquet of the ornamental finial of the cover.The large plate (1735) with chinoiseries and Dutch river landscapes by the Meissen manufactory offered by Langeloh Porcelain – this polychrome plateau is a beautiful example for the entanglement of Baroque ornaments and Rococo imagery.The chest of drawers (1760/1770) from the circle of Frederick the Great offered by Christian Eduard Franke Kunsthandel Bamberg – again a superlative German rococo piece, distinguished by its naturalistic and finely inlaid floral containers.