Art of the Eighties and Seventies

2005

This project concerns the early history, planning and construction of the Museum Abteiberg and in particular, the relationship this public institution formed with Count Panza and his collection. Count Panza had at the time arguably one of the most significant collections of minimal and conceptual art in private hands in Europe.

Panza’s collection was to be on long-term loan to the museum and was originally to be housed in the purpose designed, upper floor galleries. In addition, private access to the works was requested by the collector and so the museum considered including in the plans a small apartment for Panza. He was to be accommodated on an upper floor of the administration tower.

Problems in defining responsible roles for both the public and the private partners were particular points of interest during this research. Furthermore these roles were to be directly transcribed into space i.e., the highest point of this civic structure would potentially include a space for the private use of Mr. Panza. The debates encompassing this and other issues eventually placed the partnership on ice: the Panza collection never came to Museum Abteiberg and the apartment was never included in the final plans.

The purpose of my exhibition project was therefore to trace the history of this public/private partnership, its prospects and its eventual demise. In the museum space I constructed - at actual size - a buried, ruined example of an upper floor of the administration tower, as if the ground level had now risen to this elevation. Through this post-future lens the public could directly access the parts of the tower that were to be private and, by exploring this archaeological site contemplate the exact location, purpose and implications of the Panza apartment and therefore the nature of this partnership.


Museum Abteiberg, Moenchengladbach 11.09.05 – 29.01.06


publication title: »Art of the Eighties and Seventies«