Art and culture in Chemnitz: John Cage. Museumcircle” exhibition begins!

Art and culture in Chemnitz: John Cage. Museumcircle” exhibition begins!

A remarkable exhibition is taking place in the current cultural events in Chemnitz. Chemnitz University of Technology, as part of its commitment to the European Capital of Culture 2025, is making two important portrait paintings of former rectors available for the exhibition. This can be seen in the Chemnitz Industrial Museum until May 18, 2025 and is entitled “John Cage. Museumcircle”.

The exhibition includes more than 100 art objects selected from 52 museums, exhibition spaces and archives in the region. These objects were not chosen arbitrarily or thematically, but rather arranged by chance. This promotes a space for free association about the region's cultural heritage, which was a central concern of the American avant-garde artist John Cage. Cage developed the score for this innovative exhibition method back in 1991. TU Chemnitz reports that the exhibition not only shows objects from Chemnitz museums, but also exhibits from 38 municipalities in the cultural capital region.

Highlights of the exhibition

The portrait paintings presented in the Industrial Museum show the former rectors of the Technical University: Prof. Dr. Manfred Krauß, who served from 1982 to 1989, and Prof. August Schläfer, who worked at the University of Mechanical Engineering between 1953 and 1959. These works, created by artists Karl-Heinz Jakob and Will Schestac in 1989, contribute to the region's rich art and cultural history.

The exhibition curator, Alexander Ochs, is also responsible for the PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail. As part of the exhibition, curator tours are also available on February 2nd, March 2nd and May 18th, 2025. These tours offer visitors the opportunity to better understand the background and connections to the works on display.

Cultural diversity in Chemnitz

Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025 presents a multifaceted panorama of contemporary art movements that ties in with the city's industrial roots, but at the same time also shows modern avant-garde approaches. While Baroque splendor predominates in Dresden and fine porcelain art in Meißen, Chemnitz offers a unique synthesis of traditional and innovative art.

The exhibition "John Cage. Museumcircle" is therefore not only a tribute to an important artist, but also an opportunity to reflect on the development of culture in this dynamic region.

For more information about the exhibition and events, please visit Chemnitz 2025 and The press.