Museum im Kleihues-Bau

In the charming town of Kornwestheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, lies a hidden gem for art enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike: the Museum im Kleihues-Bau. This municipal museum, primarily showcasing German art from the 20th and 21st centuries, offers a unique blend of historical significance and contemporary artistry.

The History of Museum im Kleihues-Bau

The roots of the Museum im Kleihues-Bau can be traced back to 1975 when it was initially established as the Gallery of the City of Kornwestheim. During its early years, the gallery did not have its own collection or exhibition space. Instead, it hosted various temporary exhibitions in the then Cultural House throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The turning point came in 1987 when the city received a substantial donation of several hundred works from the estate of Manfred Henninger, a prominent Swabian late Impressionist. This generous gift prompted the city council to commission the construction of a dedicated gallery building. Renowned architect Professor Josef Paul Kleihues was entrusted with the design, and the construction took place between 1988 and 1989.

The Kleihues-Bau was officially inaugurated on November 24, 1989, with a grand state exhibition dedicated to Philipp Matthäus Hahn. The following year, the museum hosted its first art exhibition, featuring works by Joseph Beuys. Subsequent exhibitions showcased pieces by notable artists such as Josef Paul Kleihues, A. R. Penck, Tomi Ungerer, and Georg Baselitz.

After a nearly three-year closure starting in 2000, the museum reopened in 2003 as the Museum im Kleihues-Bau. The reopening marked the beginning of a new era, with a renewed focus on expanding and refining its collection. In 2015, the museum celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in June 2017, it was recognized as a cultural monument in Baden-Württemberg for its exceptional architectural design and meticulous planning.

The Architectural Marvel

The Kleihues-Bau, situated at the southeastern corner of the Kornwestheim market square, is an architectural masterpiece. The building's layout features a parallelogram with a 7-degree angle and a semicircle. The parallelogram-shaped space serves as the primary two-story exhibition area. The semicircular room, known as the gallery assembly hall, opens up with expansive glazing towards the garden and terrace, providing a versatile space for both museum purposes and special events.

The exterior walls of the building are clad in Cannstatter travertine, giving it a distinctive and elegant appearance. With nearly 400 square meters of exhibition space on the ground floor and an additional 320 square meters on the upper floor, the museum offers ample room for its diverse collection. A unique staircase, which narrows as it ascends, connects the two levels. The lower exhibition area receives natural light through an east-facing slanted glass wall, while the upper floor benefits from a curved light ceiling and shed roofs that capture and direct light from the north.

The Collection

The museum's collection boasts nearly 3,000 exhibits, predominantly featuring German art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The collection includes works by artists such as Max Ackermann, Ulrich Barnickel, Gert Fabritius, HAP Grieshaber, Manuela Tirler, and Katharina Zipser. The centerpiece of the collection is the approximately 700 works by Manfred Henninger, one of the founders of the Stuttgart New Secession in 1929. The museum receives support from the Manfred Henninger Friends Association, established in 2009, for the scholarly documentation of Henninger's legacy.

In addition to its core collection, the museum is continually building a collection of contemporary art, with a particular focus on the artist scene in southwestern Germany. Another notable collection includes works by renowned advertising graphic artists such as Otto Glaser and Franz Weiss, who worked for the Kornwestheim-based global company SALAMANDER in the 20th century. The museum also houses an extensive art library with over 2,500 volumes, a significant photo and film collection, and a collection dedicated to historical shoe fashion.

Exhibitions and Publications

The Museum im Kleihues-Bau hosts several temporary exhibitions each year, showcasing a diverse range of artistic styles and themes. Notable past exhibitions include Joseph Beuys - Sculptural Pictures, Josef Paul Kleihues - Museum Projects, Günther C. Kirchberger - Paintings 1957–1993, Tomi Ungerer - Retrospective 1956–1995, Georg Baselitz - Early Works on Paper, Audrey Hepburn - An Intimate Collection by Bob Willoughby, Leni Riefenstahl - The Compromised Aesthetic, Linda McCartney, and Shackleton – Photos from the Ice.

In addition to its exhibitions, the museum regularly publishes catalogs and books related to its exhibitions and collections, contributing to the broader discourse on contemporary and historical art.

In conclusion, the Museum im Kleihues-Bau is not just a repository of art; it is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and contemporary artistic endeavors of Germany. Its thoughtfully curated exhibitions, impressive architecture, and extensive collections make it a must-visit destination for art lovers and cultural enthusiasts visiting Kornwestheim.