"Are we still up to it?" – Art & Democracy Herrenchiemsee Palace
About the exhibition
Over 50 works by international artists with a focus on fundamental democratic values such as freedom, self-determination and human dignity will be shown at the Sammlung Moderne Kunst Summer Exhibition at Herrenchiemsee Palace. Masterpieces from Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen from classical modernism to the present day will be juxtaposed with site-specific installations.
In an original and concise way, the artists explore conventions and roles in their works as well as forms of self-expression and values with regard to both the individual and society. Their observations on historical events are unsparing, especially in retrospect, and translate painful experiences into images that stand the test of time.
In this way the exhibition draws on the Constitutional Convention which took place on Herrenchiemsee in August 1948 that forms the basis of the German constitution and to which the exhibition “The Will to Freedom and Democracy” is dedicated in the Old Palace.
With works by Francis Bacon, John Baldessari, Max Beckmann, Joseph Beuys, Lisa Brice, Deichkind, Günther Förg, Sheila Hicks, K. H. Hödicke, Jörg Immendorff, Asger Jorn, Anselm Kiefer, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Maria Lassnig, Henri Laurens, Inge Mahn, Henry Moore, A. R. Penck, Pablo Picasso, Judit Reigl, Gerhard Richter, Thomas Schütte, Rosemarie Trockel, Andy Warhol u.a.
Curated by Verena Hein and Oliver Kase
Balancierende Türme, 1989
Plaster on iron construction, 218 x 180 x 47 cm
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Sammlung Moderne Kunst in der Pinakothek der Moderne, München
2024 acquired by PIN. Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne e. V.
Courtesy Estate Inge Mahn, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025
Photo: Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Haydar Koyupinar
Programme Education and Learning
Free Public Guided Tours
Overview tours in German language
Every FRI 3 p.m.
Every SAT 12.00 p.m. | 1.00 p.m.
Every SUN 1.00 p.m., 2 .00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.
Guided tours in English
Every FRI 1.00 p.m.
Every SAT 3.00 p.m.
Every SUN 12.00 p.m.
Guided Tours for School Classes
During school terms, on weekday mornings, and by request. Please register at post@filomele.de
Touch Tours
FRI 18.07., 4.00 p.m.
SAT 28.09., 4 .00 p.m.
Private guided tours (not free of charge)
For group registrations and booking private guided tours, including in German Sign Language (DGS), please contact Filomele art agency. The maximum number of participants is 25. Information and booking at: post@filomele.de
Creative Programme with Artists from Kinderforum van de Loo
An interactive space created by children and young people from Kinderforum van de Loo offers a participatory station accessible during exhibition hours, as well as an open creative programme on Sundays.
SUN 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Workshop for adults
Exploring Democracy on the Island: An encounter between Constitutional Debates and Modern Art
SUN 18.05. | SAT 14.06. | SUN 20.07. | SAT 23.08. | SUN 28.09. | MON 15.09. | 2.00 - 4.30 p.m.
Meeting point: Ticket office Old Palace/Constitutional Museum. Participation fees must be paid there
Ticket for Augustinian Canon’s Monastery € 6,- / € 5,- (reduced), additional participation fee € 6,- | limited number of participants
Registration at: info.herrenchiemsee@bsv.bayern.de
In cooperation with the Bavarian Palace Administration and the Federal Agency for Civic Education
Talk "Art & Democracy" with Roger Rekless
Roger Rekless, artist, author and live-member of Deichkind, along with other artists.
THU 18.09. | Pinakothek der Moderne, Ernst von Siemens-Auditorium
More information will follow soon.
WALK in the Pinakothek der Moderne App
Available from the start of the exhibition in German, English and german easy language!
Download the app free of charge from the AppStore or Google Play Store!
Publication
The accompanying exhibition catalog (Hirmer Verlag, German/English language edition) includes essays by Aleida Assmann, Herfried Münkler and Andreas Spickhoff as well as interviews with Deichkind and Sheila Hicks and statements by public and non-public figures - with the question: “How can culture and art contribute to strengthening the values of democracy?”
Further information will follow shortly
Resonate #ArtAndDemocracy
To the digital pinboard
Deichkind - Könnt Ihr Noch? (Official Video)
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Plan your visit
Opening hours
Herrenchiemsee Palace is open daily: 9.00 a.m.-05.30 p.m.
Admission
Combination ticket "Island": 14 euros/reduced 13 euros
(this includes: New Palace with King Ludwig II Museum, exhibition ‘Are we still up to it? - Art and Democracy' and Augustinian Monastery)
Children and young people up to the age of 18 are admitted free of charge.
Tickets are available on site or online at the ticket shop of the Bavarian Palace Administration.
Groups
For group bookings and private guided tours, please contact the Filomele art agency. The maximum number of participants is 25. Information and booking: post@filomele.de
FREE GUIDED TOURS FOR SCHOOL CLASSES
Outside the vacations, on weekday mornings on request
Booking at: post@filomele.de
How to find us
OPENING WEEKEND 10 & 11 MAY 2025
MIT FREIEM EINTRITT IN DIE AUSSTELLUNG
WITH FREE ADMISSION TO THE EXHIBITION
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 10 & 11 MAY
11.00 a.m.-4.30 pm Open workshops in the Kinderforum van de Loo
11.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Talk talk - art information
Democracy activity cards | Available free of charge at the exhibition
SUNDAY, 11 MAY
11.30 a.m.-12.00 noon | 12.10 -12.40 noon | 1.15-1.45p.m. Hochzeitskapelle | Foyer New Palace & exhibition rooms “Art and Democracy”
The four musicians Evi Keglmaier (viola), Mathias Götz (trombone), Micha Acher (trumpet, sousaphone) and Markus Acher (drums) come from very different musical backgrounds - from indie pop to jazz and experimental music. In their pieces, they weave melodies from all over the world into an unmistakable sound, which they themselves describe as “folkloristic-elegiac rumple jazz”.
1.45-2.00 p.m. Children's and youth choir Prien | Exhibition rooms “Art and Democracy”
The children's and youth choir of the Mariä Himmelfahrt Prien parish, under the direction of Bartholomäus Josef Prankl, presents a varied program. Children and young people between the ages of 6 and 17 bring their voices together and show how the choir not only promotes the joy of singing, but also lives the democratic idea - every contribution counts and every voice is heard.
2.00 p.m. Opening speeches | Exhibition rooms “Art and Democracy”
2.30-3.00 p.m. Roger Rekless (feat. Hochzeitskapelle) | Exhibition rooms “Art and Democracy”
As a solo artist, presenter, radio host, freestyle king, book author and TBD, not least as a live member of Deichkind, David Mayonga aka Roger Rekless deals with what it is like to experience barriers, face challenges or be exposed to adverse circumstances and prejudices. He brings his perspective to his art and to social debates - and in doing so, he strikes exactly the same note as the exhibition. As he himself says, it is precisely from these tensions that his greatest creative power arises. Rekless is not one to bury his head in the sand - he raises his voice, confronts reality and meets people and opinions with openness and attitude.
Mit großzügiger Unterstützung von
International Patrons of the Pinakothek e.V. und PIN. Freunde der Pinakothek e.V.
Für die Förderung des Vermittlungsprogramms danken wir:
Merck Finck Stiftung
Brückner Group SE
Brainlab AG
S.K.H. Herzog Franz von Bayern
Stiftung van de Loo
Medienpartner
arte
In Partnerschaft mit
Bayerische Schlösser- und Seenverwaltung