20 years of contact collection: Art Renaissance in Central Eastern Europe!

20 years of contact collection: Art Renaissance in Central Eastern Europe!

An exciting chapter in art history is highlighted in Vienna by the Contact collection continued writing. Founded in 2004 by the ERSTE Foundation in collaboration with Erste Group Bank AG, this collection has set itself the task of promoting artistic developments in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The focus is particularly on art that has often been inadequately appreciated in art history and includes around 1,400 works by 180 artists.

What path does the contact collection follow? There is a very specific goal: supporting the fragile situation of public institutions in the region. The organization consciously avoids functioning as an integral part of a museum. This means it remains flexible and can always provide new impulses to open up fresh interpretations and connections in art history.

The connection to the neo-avant-garde

The focus is primarily on the neo-avant-garde art of the 1960s and 70s as an artistic heritage. This promising direction has the potential to challenge conventional art histories and promote dialogue between artists. The name “Kontakt” itself is a homage to the series of works “KONTAKT (Anti-Happening)” by the well-known artist Július Koller.

To carry this idea further, the collection acts as a nomadic project that operates without a permanent museum. This means she remains responsive and can take issues such as the climate crisis and resource scarcity into account in her exhibition concept. An important milestone is coming up in the near future: the 20th anniversary of the Kontakt collection will be celebrated in 2024. An opportunity not only to look back, but also to look at the future and the challenges of art.

Sustainability and commitment

A central aspect of the future planning of the contact collection is apparently the desire for sustainability. Measures are planned to avoid CO2-intensive art transports and material-intensive exhibitions. In an age in which environmental awareness plays an increasingly important role, the collection shows a good knack for combining art and responsibility.

Particularly noteworthy is the collaboration with various partners, including Banca Comercială Română (BCR) and Česká spořitelna, which also serve this cultural mission. The artists on the collection's advisory board, including Silvia Eiblmayr, Georg Schöllhammer and Adam Szymczyk, bring their expertise and experience to advance the vision of the collection.

In art history, the exchange of ideas and innovations is achieved through platforms like this Thematic portal history of art history promoted. Here researchers can document current developments and shed light on the history of art from multiple perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial to enable a comprehensive view of art and to create new connections.

The Contact Collection is a sign of an artistic awakening in Vienna and beyond. with a clear focus on preserving heritage and promoting contemporary art. It proves that art and environmental awareness can go hand in hand and invites all interested art lovers to discover the diverse possibilities of this dynamic collection.