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When Politics Strategised Aesthetics
Works from the National Museum of Modern Art Zagreb 1945–1960
With the exhibition aesthetics as a political strategy the Kunsthaus Dahlem traces the path of Yugoslav art from Socialist Realism to abstraction between 1945 and 1960. While broader developments in the Yugoslav cultural context of this period are also examined, the focus is on artists from Croatia. Using important works from the National Museum of Modern Art (NMMU) in Zagreb, it becomes clear how political upheavals in Yugoslavia led to the development of a unique artistic language during this period.
However, this aesthetic development is also linked to dramatic political experiences. While Yugoslavia cautiously moved closer to the West, the Communist Party fully asserted its power within the country. As a result, the establishment of socialist rule was accompanied by repression, violence and the brutal persecution of political opponents.
The exhibition will not only illustrate the development from figurative art close to the state to free, abstract visual languages, but will also present artists who sought their own expression between political control and artistic freedom.
The selection includes sculptures, paintings, works on paper, medals and ephemera.
Curators: Branko Franceschi (Director, NMMU) and Marta Radman (Curator, NMMU)
Artists
Antun Augustinčić, Vojin Bakić, Marijan Detoni, Dušan Džamonja, Ivo Gattin, Ivan Jeger, Ksenija Kantoci, Julije Knifer, Slavko Kopač, Vladimir Kristl, Ferdinand Kulmer, Milena Lah, Aurelije Lukežić, Valerije Michieli, Edo Murtić, Ivan Paleka, Šime Perić, Ivan Picelj, Vanja Radauš, Božidar Rašica, Ivan Sabolić, Aleksandar Srnec, Marino Tartaglia and Josip Vaništa.
Sponsorship
Friends of the Kunsthaus Dahlem - Bernhard Heiliger e. V.
Cooperation partner
Nacionalni muzej moderne umjetnosti(National Museum of Modern Art in Zagreb)Translated with DeepL
However, this aesthetic development is also linked to dramatic political experiences. While Yugoslavia cautiously moved closer to the West, the Communist Party fully asserted its power within the country. As a result, the establishment of socialist rule was accompanied by repression, violence and the brutal persecution of political opponents.
The exhibition will not only illustrate the development from figurative art close to the state to free, abstract visual languages, but will also present artists who sought their own expression between political control and artistic freedom.
The selection includes sculptures, paintings, works on paper, medals and ephemera.
Curators: Branko Franceschi (Director, NMMU) and Marta Radman (Curator, NMMU)
Artists
Antun Augustinčić, Vojin Bakić, Marijan Detoni, Dušan Džamonja, Ivo Gattin, Ivan Jeger, Ksenija Kantoci, Julije Knifer, Slavko Kopač, Vladimir Kristl, Ferdinand Kulmer, Milena Lah, Aurelije Lukežić, Valerije Michieli, Edo Murtić, Ivan Paleka, Šime Perić, Ivan Picelj, Vanja Radauš, Božidar Rašica, Ivan Sabolić, Aleksandar Srnec, Marino Tartaglia and Josip Vaništa.
Sponsorship
Friends of the Kunsthaus Dahlem - Bernhard Heiliger e. V.
Cooperation partner
Nacionalni muzej moderne umjetnosti(National Museum of Modern Art in Zagreb)Translated with DeepL
Runtime: Fri, 20/03/2026 to Sun, 21/06/2026
Price info: Combined ticket with Brücke Museum: 8,00 €
Price: €6.00
Reduced price: €4.00
Reduced price info: Combined ticket with Brücke Museum: 5,00 €
Free admission for children and teenagers under 18.
Price: €6.00
Reduced price: €4.00
Reduced price info: Combined ticket with Brücke Museum: 5,00 €
Free admission for children and teenagers under 18.
Takes place here:
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