Compiled over a period of decades and domiciled in Liechtenstein, the Veronika and Peter Monauni Collection is now being shown for the first time at the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein.

This highly original collection tracks down the hidden affinities between gestural and geometrical-abstract art as of 1950, with special emphasis on the 1960s and the 1990s. The distinctive selection manifest in the collection not only features celebrated positions, it also represents surprising, lesser-known artists of high quality. Clearly the collectors' passion is for painting. Their collection links representatives of German Informel (Bissier, Winter, Hoehme, Brüning, and others) with Zurich Concrete Art, the ZERO group and minimalist approaches dating from the 1960s. Herbert Zangs and Hans Josephsohn, whose works mediate, as it were, between gesture and abstraction, have been assigned a special status in the collection.

Artists of younger generations continue to engage with this perspective, while also integrating conceptual approaches. As a result, a charming dialogue emerges between Austrian positions (Zitko, Brandl, Bohatsch, Scheibl, Caramelle) and works by Nicola de Maria, Rosemarie Trockel, Alighiero Boetti, Martin Disler or Leiko Ikemura. Finally, Rütjer Rühle, who has so far received little attention internationally, is amply represented in the collection.

By highlighting common points that exist between two strands of a tradition which were always regarded as opposites, both by the artists themselves and by the chroniclers, the Monauni Collection permits a refreshingly non-academic view of a historical debate. The exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein acknowledges the particular quality of this collection, while also testifying to the vitality of private collecting activities in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

More pictures to this exhibition

  • Veronika and  Peter Monauni Collection
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Veronika and  Peter Monauni Collection
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Veronika and  Peter Monauni Collection
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Veronika and  Peter Monauni Collection
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Opening
  • Thu, 5.11.2009
    18.00
  • Guided tours
  • Thu, 26.11.2009
    18.00
  • Sun, 6.12.2009
    11.00
  • Thu, 21.1.2010
    18.00
  • Thu 5.11.

    Opening

    The Veronika and Peter Monauni Collection
  • Thu 26.11.

    Guided tour

    The Veronika and Peter Monauni Collection
    with Friedemann Malsch, director
  • Sun 6.12.

    Guided tour

    The Veronika and Peter Monauni Collection
    with Robin Hemmer
  • Thu 21.1.

    Guided tour

    The Veronika and Peter Monauni Collection
    with Sandra Frimmel
  • Thu 28.1.

    Take Away

    Veronika und Peter Monauni Collection
    short guided tour during the lunch break
  • Thu 28.1.

    Discussion

    Aus Leidenschaft zur Farbe
    with Peter Monauni, moderated by Friedemann Malsch, director Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein