Contemporary Art in Upper Palatinate
Cooperative work and joint creativity - this is what inspires the five museums in the network "Contemporary Art in Upper Palatinate". What also unites them is that the museums and their collections are all housed in historic buildings - from medieval times to the "Heimatstil" style from around 1900. Here we introduce you to the museums in more detail.
Museum SPUR (Art Museum SPUR) in Cham
In the former "poorhouse" of the town, the Museum SPUR (Art Museum SPUR) in Cham exhibits paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the artist group SPUR. The young artists had exhibited together in Munich in autumn 1957. In January 1958, they gave their group the name SPUR. The members included Heimrad Prem and Helmut Sturm, both from the district of Cham, as well as Lothar Fischer and Hans-Peter Zimmer. The ideas and artistic innovation of the group, which existed until 1965, represent a significant contribution to international post-war art.
The anti-war film "The Bridge" by Bernhard Wicki was shot in Cham and in the historic poorhouse in 1959. The iron sculpture "Großer geharnischter Sitzender" by SPUR member Lothar Fischer is located on the bridge since 1995.
Städtische Galerie Cordonhaus (Cordonhaus Municipal Gallery) in Cham
Since its foundation in 1982, the Städtische Galerie Cordonhaus (Cordonhaus Municipal Gallery) in Cham has been a pioneer in the presentation of contemporary art outside the Bavarian metropolitan regions. The Cordonhaus, a former provost building of the Reichenbach monastery from the 16th century, was given its current name at the time of the French Revolutionary Wars. It is one of the largest historical ensembles of buildings in the town of Cham.
For more than 40 years, the Städtische Galerie (Municipal Gallery) located there has been one of the most important art venues in the Upper Palatinate with its ambitious exhibition programme and temporary exhibitions.
Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus (Upper Palatinate House of Artists) in Schwandorf
The Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus (Upper Palatinate House of Artists) in Schwandorf was built between 1886 and 1888 as a residential building and was given the name "Kebbel Villa" in the course of its history. In 1988, after extensive renovations, the villa was opened as the Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus (Upper Palatinate House of Artists) and has had a firm place in the cultural life of the region ever since. In addition to temporary exhibitions, the ateliers regularly organise workshops for lithography, etching and screen printing, as well as cabaret, readings and artist talks.
Annual highlights include the "Malen im Park" ("Painting in the Park") drawing courses, concert series such as the Schwandorfer Klavierfrühling (Schwandorf Piano Spring) and the puppet theatre, which has been located at the Künstlerhaus for over 30 years.
Luftmuseum Amberg (Amberg Air Museum)
An air shower, a flying carpet, a tyre throne or a shopping bag organ - if you like the bizarre, then you should definitely visit the Luftmuseum Amberg (Amberg Air Museum) by all means. The "Engelsburg" ("Castle of Angels"), as the 14th century building is known, displays contemporary aerial art for you to see, hear, feel, grasp and perceive. You can test your nose at the smell bar, compete at the air pinball machine and conquer the Airparc with its course of 24 air stations.
In addition to exhibitions, there are lectures, readings, guided tours and concerts. Temporary exhibitions on design, architecture, art, technology and everyday art take place on the ground floor.
Ludwig Gebhard Museum in Tiefenbach
The Ludwig Gebhard Museum in the "Alte Schule" ("Old School") in Tiefenbach exhibits works by local-born artist Ludwig Gebhard (1933-2007). The painter, graphic artist and sculptor was one of the leading printmakers of contemporary art, particularly with his colourful linocuts. His innovative pictorial and formal language brought him international recognition, as evidenced by the presence of his works in public collections such as the Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinacotheca of the Modern) in Munich, the Albertina in Vienna and the Kupferstichmuseum in Basel.
The Ludwig Gebhard Museum's display collection features coloured linocuts, etchings, sculptures and canvases by Gebhard as well as textile works based on his designs.