The German title “MUSE MACHT MONETEN” plays with an alliteration but most of all with the double meaning of the word Macht: uncapitalized, it can be understood as “makes”, while written with a capital it can be understood as “power”. Thus, the title tells us that the muse makes dirty money (“Moneten”), but also that there is a harsh contrast between the factors muse, power and money.

The first part of this medal-based exhibition takes a look back at the early 1990s, when sculptors from the former East Berlin grappled with the new social and economic climate and came up with innovative responses to it, cast in bronze. They worked on a variety of editions and projects as a way of reflecting upon their moods, fears, and intensely personal conflicts, which grew out of the apparent contradiction between capitalist (art) market forces and the artist’s personal autonomy.

The focus of the second part of the exhibition expands to include the rest of Germany, seen from a distance of 25 years. More than 30 people working in the art world, including sculptors, graphic designers, and freelance artists, responded to a call issued in 2014 for contributions to ta new edition of medals. The artists have created new pieces that explore themes raised by the exhibition, each acting as an individual statement bearing witness to their own personal experiences. The third part invites visitors to discover exhibits from the Haupt Collection “Dreißig Silberlinge – Kunst und Geld” (Thirty Pieces of Silver – art and money). For more than 20 years, Stefan Haupt has collected money art, and art about money, created by German and international artists. Selected graphic art, sculptures, installations and medals from his collection flank the show at the Bode-Museum.

Thanks to Austrian artist Nikolaus Eberstaller the performance pig Marie Cochon will be present in a specially designed dwelling in the foyer of the Bode-Museum. 

Artist Portfolio