Art instead of fear: Munch's masterpieces conquer Chemnitz!

Art instead of fear: Munch's masterpieces conquer Chemnitz!

Today is the day in the heart of Chemnitz: the eagerly awaited exhibition “Edvard Munch. Fear” has opened its doors in the opera house. This high-profile event features around 140 works by the famous Norwegian artist, 96 of which are by Munch himself. Anyone who would like to take advantage of the opportunity has until November 2nd to visit the exhibition in the art collections at Theaterplatz. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer said at the opening that this exhibition was "a gift from Chemnitz to Europe" and underlined the role of art in strengthening the resilience of a society. The Norwegian Ambassador to Germany, Stenseng, was also present and acknowledged Munch's influence on art history.

Munch is considered a pioneer of modernity and deals with central human emotions in his works. The exhibition in Chemnitz takes place under the motto “C the unseen” and addresses the fears and loneliness of people both in the past and today. The lithograph “The Screaming” from 1895 in particular is one of the highlights and attracts the attention of visitors. Another remarkable work, "Two People. The Lonely Ones" (1906–1908), is being presented in Germany for the first time in almost nine decades. Munch lived in Germany between 1892 and 1908, where he created some of his most important works, supported by patrons such as Herbert Eugen and Johanna Esche, who even invited him to Chemnitz.

A supporting program for everyone

The exhibition is not only a homage to Munch, but also includes an extensive accompanying program. Lectures, guided tours, workshops and film screenings invite visitors to delve deeper into the topics of fear and loneliness. Family tours and thematic workshops in particular are some of the most popular offers, some of which are already fully booked.

Also interesting is the “Pavilion of Fear,” which was specifically set up to create a space for conversations about fears in the city. Art historians emphasize that Munch's works are not only works of art, but also reflect the human soul and our social crises. His images show feelings of helplessness and fear and offer parallels to the challenges we face today, be it through social inequality or ecological crises.

A look into history

Munch was born in Norway in 1863 and had to deal with the death of people close to him in his childhood, which had a lasting impact on his artistic perspective. Illness and the loss of loved ones are emotional constants in his works. Munch, who died in Oslo in 1944, is now recognized as a central figure in art history, and his emotional depictions continue to endure today. The Chemnitz exhibition is part of a series of four Munch exhibitions that will take place in Germany in the coming years, including in Dresden, Hamburg and Bremen.

For all art lovers and Munch fans, this exhibition is an unforgettable experience full of profound emotions and current topics. So if you are in the region, you should definitely stop by and be inspired by the impressive works and the accompanying discussion. Further information about the exhibition can be found at Chemnitz art collections as well as in the reports of Deutschlandfunk culture and RND.