Volkswagen Group is proudly supporting the annual Kaiserring exhibition in Goslar, featuring influential works from the 2023 Kaiserring awardees, Yuri Albert and Vadim Zakharov. This collaboration highlights Volkswagen’s role as a partner of culture and the arts in the region.
The exhibition, developed by the Mönchehaus Museum in Goslar with the support of the Volkswagen Group, showcases the creative work of Russian-born Yuri Albert and Tajikistan-born Vadim Zakharov. Opening on October 7, 2023, visitors will have the opportunity to see paintings, photos, objects, and installations that have had a significant impact on the evolution of conceptual art. This year, the international Kaiserring jury awarded the Kaiserring to both artists, marking the first time the art prize has been given to two individuals.
Yuri Albert and Vadim Zakharov began their creative careers in the 1970s during a time when the Soviet Union was dominated by communism, and official art work was not accessible. Their work questioned the role of art in society and explored the relationship between art and real life through humor and provocative approaches. Despite the absence of support from the official Soviet art world, Albert and Zakharov independently presented their work along with critical reflections. In the 1990s, both artists moved to Western Europe, enriching their portfolios with new concepts. Yuri Albert began focusing on the nature and necessity of art, while Vadim Zakharov intensified his exploration of politics and social mechanisms. Until 2014, they regularly exhibited their work in Moscow, establishing themselves as key artists of Moscow conceptualism. Today, Albert and Zakharov live in Cologne and Berlin, respectively, and present their works in exhibitions worldwide.
Dr. Bettina Ruhrberg, Director of Mönchehaus Museum Goslar, expressed her appreciation for Volkswagen’s ongoing support as a partner of the Kaiserring exhibitions, which allows them to honor and showcase the awardees’ work through dedicated presentations. Benita von Maltzahn, Director Cultural Engagement Volkswagen Group, also emphasized the significance of supporting exhibitions that feature the work of Kaiserring awardees, providing the people in the region with opportunities to discover highly inspirational creative works.
The Goslar Kaiserring is recognized as one of the most prestigious prizes for contemporary artists worldwide. Since 1975, the city of Goslar has awarded this non-monetary prize in consultation with an international jury. Previous recipients of the Kaiserring include Olafur Eliasson, Isa Genzken, Cindy Sherman, and Sigmar Polke. The collaboration with the Mönchehaus Museum is an integral part of Volkswagen’s commitment to supporting culture and the arts in its regional facilities and beyond. Together with its partners, the Volkswagen Group aims to create open platforms for a diverse range of artists, ensuring that a broad audience has the opportunity to engage with these works of art. These encounters foster the exchange of ideas and creative approaches, which are vital resources for promoting mutual understanding and progress within society.
Yuri Albert, born in Moscow in 1959, is an artist, curator, and recipient of the Kandinsky Prize in 2011. He currently resides and works in Cologne and is considered a key artist of Moscow conceptualism. Vadim Zakharov, born in Dushanbe in 1959, is an artist, author, and archivist of Moscow Conceptual art. He currently resides and works in Berlin, where he has been running his art project “Freehome – Artist to Artist” since 2016.
Exhibition Details:
“Yuri Albert, Vadim Zakharov”
October 7, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Location:
Mönchehaus Museum Goslar, Mönchestraße 1, 38640 Goslar
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.