In the exhibition “In the Swirls of Time,” works of art from Gerhard Schneider's collection reflect the diverse challenges, changes and turning points that Germany has experienced over the last century: from the First World War to the turmoil of the revolutionary period, through the Weimar Republic and the Nazi era to the division and reunification of Germany. The works of art oscillate between personal concern and conscious documentation for posterity.
The exhibition covers the period occasionally apostrophized by historians (at least for Europe) as the “short century”; at the same time, it is considered the most terrible and bloodiest in human history, with at least 75 million deaths worldwide in the two World Wars. During this period, Germany saw a revolution, two dictatorships, almost 45 years of division and finally a peaceful reunification that remains unique in history. The paintings and graphics on display begin in wartime expressionism and cover various stylistic developments over the 20th century.
The Gerhard Schneider Collection sought initial discovery right from the start and still combines the achievements of unworthy artists that have often been overlooked today. This disregard is due to upheavals for which the Nazi dictatorship is specifically responsible. On the one hand, she saw the departure into modernity as a “degeneration” that would spoil the imagined German national community, and on the other hand, it persecuted all those who felt committed to innovations in the understanding of art. The artists either went into exile, into “inner emigration,” or died as a result of racist or political persecution.
Even in the period after 1945 up to reunification, the societies in the Federal Republic and in the GDR offered sufficient reason to deal artistically with social structures, expectations and developments.
The exhibition is taking place on the occasion of the 85th birthday of Dr. Gerhard Schneider, who curated it largely independently. It will be on view at the Center for Persecuted Arts until February 11, 2024.
The opening will take place on November 12, 2023 at 11:30 in the Meistermannsaal of the Center for Persecuted Arts.
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Temporary Exhibition
:
Lifelines. Across borders
An art project by Hanna Melnykova
In the summer of 2025, photo artist Hanna Melnykova emigrated from Germany to Ukraine. The Museum Center for Persecuted Arts is showing the photographic documentation of their performative walk.
Reading
:
“We were just simple soldiers”
Discussion with Hanka Grupińska
On the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, renowned journalist Hanka Grupińska presents her book at the Center for Persecuted Arts in Solingen.
Concert
:
4th Chamber Concert of the Bergische Symphoniker 2026
With Elgun Aghazada, Shino Nakai, Odysseas Lavaris, Won Cheol Jung and Ina Bijlsma
Members of the Bergische Symphoniker will play works by Britten, Mozart and Beethoven at the 4th Chamber Concert 2026 at the Center for Persecuted Arts.
