Back to the future - Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden’s theme and programme for 2024

Zurück in die Zukunft – Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden stellen Jahresthema und Programm 2024 vor

At its annual press conference, the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden (SKD) presented the highlights of the 2024 exhibitions.

The overriding theme for the year is “Zurück in die Zukunft” (Back to the future).

A new institution, the Archiv der Avantgarden – Egidio Marzona (ADA), will move into the recently converted Blockhouse on 5 May, 2024. The building, with its mighty, free-hanging cube, a progressive and aesthetically bold design created by the architects at Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, will be home to the entire collection. This extraordinary piece of architecture creates a flexible space for research, exhibitions, discussions or simply to linger. The opening exhibition “Archive of Dreams” (5.05 - August 2024) is dedicated to the reinterpretation of the archive: from an “outdated”, obsolete, 19th century concept of what an archive is to a modern, participatory archive. With around 350 artworks, documents and publications from the 20th century, the project brings to life the fantasies and longings, but also the nightmares of artists from different avant-garde movements such as Dada, Surrealism, Cobra, Fluxus and Pop Art.

At the beginning of September a delightful array of idiosyncratic characters will take centre stage at Dresden's "Kraftwerk Mitte", where the Puppentheatersammlung will now have a home of its own. On an area of around 2,400 square metres theatre puppets, entire stages and many other objects will show the history and diversity puppet theatre in Saxony, Germany, and far beyond. The fascination of transforming lifeless material into living bodies can be experienced here, as can the techniques and craftsmanship that make this magic possible.

To celebrate his 250th birthday, the Albertinum (24.08.2024—5.01.2025) and the Kupferstich-Kabinett (24.08.—17.11.2024) are jointly presenting a large special exhibition titled “Caspar David Friedrich. Where it all started”. For more than 40 years, Dresden was the centre of his life. It was here that the graphic artist and painter produced his major works, which are now regarded as the most important works of German Romanticism in the world. While the Albertinum juxtaposes Friedrich's paintings with the landscapes from the Old Masters Picture Gallery that once inspired him, the Kupferstich-Kabinett focuses on Friedrich as a graphic artist and his artistic process.

True to the motto for the year, the next edition of the Children's Biennial (1.06.2024-2.03.2025) takes a look into the future. How can we make the world we live in a better place? Under the title “PLANET UTOPIA”, local and international artists will transform the Japanisches Palais (Japanese Palace) into a fantastical place that encourages us to see, hear, feel, participate and discover.

The SKD will also be focusing on Dresden’s unique geopolitical location, both in the context of the history of the GDR and as a "gateway to Eastern and Central Europe". Collected in the course of centuries, the exhibition “Fragments of Memory” presents the precious relics from Prague’s St Vitus Cathedral in the Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau (24.02.-8.09.2024), with comments from a contemporary point of view. “Orhan Pamuk. The Consolation of Objects" marked the start of a series all about the art and culture of Turkey, which will be continued next year. “The change that is to come. Modern and contemporary art in Poland” at the Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau (26.10.2024- 16.03.2025) brings together Polish artists from different eras and generations who have used or are using practices of engagement in their activities and also in their works. In cooperation with the Galerie Judin, the Kupferstich-Kabinett is presenting “Adrian Ghenie. Drawings and collages” (13.12.2024-2.03.2025), and comprehensive exhibition of Ghenie’s works on paper. There are also selected paintings which complement the drawings and collages by this Romanian artist.

“Fait à Paris. Furniture masterpieces by Jean-Pierre Latz at the Dresden Court” (19.10.2024-2.02.2025), is the first exhibition in the Kunstgewerbemuseum dedicated to this cabinet maker. After more than 80 years, the world's largest collection of his furniture is to be transferred from the depot to the Paraderäume (Royal State Apartments) of the Dresden Residenzschloss, marking the end of an extensive research and restoration project. In their very special way, the unique showpieces reflect the art and splendour of the court of Augustus III.

The SKD's annual press conference will be introduced by the artist and this year’s Caspar David Friedrich Prize winner Isabell Alexandra Meldner. Her installation “That Space Is Made Of Time”, 2023, will then be on display in the Residenzschloss until 21 November 2023.

Marion Ackermann, Director General of Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden: “In 2024, together with our audience, we are looking ‘Back to the Future’. In our confrontation with the collections, we continually come up against unanswered questions of the past and the present, which in turn can show us ways into the future. We do this with a rich and varied programme that is made possible not least thanks to the financial support of numerous sponsors. The SKD would like to thank the Free State of Saxony, whose generous subsidy covers a large part of the expenses of our group of museums. Further significant funding is provided by the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media), who has contributed significantly to the strengthening and further development of our museums in recent years. We would also like to mention our main sponsor, the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, as well as A. Lange & Söhne in Glashütte, both of which have been very committed to our group of museums for many years. Other important partners are the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, the Kulturstiftung der Länder as well as the German Foreign Office, with whose support we were able to organise the Ukraine exhibition this year. Many other foundations, donors and sponsors - including international ones from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Sweden - should also be mentioned, without whom many of the SKD’s other projects would not be possible. Last but not least, the private commitment of the members of our Friends of the Museum groups is a valuable building block for our work. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of them!”