It has only been ten years since the inauguration of the Pinakothek der Moderne’s new build by Stephan Braunfels in Munich. Now the building is rather embarrassingly in need of renovation work (a large number of cracks have emerged owing to concrete shrinkage in the rotunda and a simultaneous swelling of the bricks) has presented an unexpected opportunity for Berlin architect firm Jürgen Mayer H. to create temporary premises in front of the museum. The cost of the renovation works, which are due to begin in February 2013 and run until September of the same year, is estimated at around 750,000 Euros. The same amount will be needed for the temporary construction, whereby the Free State of Bavaria, the Pinakothek der Moderne Foundation and Audi AG have agreed to sponsor the project and each cover a third of the costs.
“Schaustelle” (showcase) is the name Jürgen Mayer H. has chosen for his open, three-dimensional frame, which is set to offer a temporary residence for the Pinakothek’s four collections (modern art, graphic art, architecture and design) where exhibitions, talks, performances, film, video and more will be open to the public. But this design is not entirely new. Then entitled “Aus.Gestell”, it was designed in 2010 as a temporary gallery to be built in Berlin but was never released. At the suggestion of Andres Lepik, Director-designate of the Pinakothek’s architecture museum, the temporary build should aim to playfully attract Munich’s attention.
Plans foresee the corner of Türkenstrasse & Gabelsbergerstrasse as the site for the 18-meter-high, 40-meter-long and 15-meter-wide construction using recyclable container and scaffolding elements. The interior will boast a “white cube”, 300 to 400 square-meters in size. On the exterior, the latticework is brought to life with a plethora of colored surfaces and can also be used as a projection surface opening up new, additional possibilities for the presentation of artworks, while its viewing platform opens a new view of Munich’s Kunstareal.
These additional presentation options form an important aspect of the project because the climatic conditions in the new exhibition pavilion won’t necessarily correspond to the museum’s requirements for the conservation of its exhibits. And there’s only one way to find out: be brave and experiment. Ultimately, the “Schaustelle” is intended to make a political statement; after all, Munich has already been waiting a long time for the realization of the second construction phase for the Pinakothek der Moderne, on this very spot. tw
Jul 27, 2012
