Michael Krebber: A Conceptual Painting Exhibition at the Secession

This exhibition at the Secession presented works by Michael Krebber, a key figure in conceptually oriented painting since the 1980s. The display focused on a distinct artistic language that engages with painting without necessarily integrating its direct methods, combining custom wooden frames with machine-made fabrics.

Michael Krebber, a significant artist associated with a Cologne scene that has shaped the international positioning of conceptually oriented painting since the 1980s, was featured in this exhibition at the Secession. His work demonstrates a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of the painterly vocabulary, questioning the boundaries of the pictorial space and the tension between representation and abstraction. While the knowledge of painting's history is ever-present, it functions more as a reflexive inquiry into the medium rather than a source of friction. The choice of stylistic means, particularly the brushstroke and the 'right form,' plays a crucial role in shaping a content-oriented stance that nevertheless retains a sense of doubt. For this exhibition in the main room of the Secession, Krebber notably abstained from the explicit use of painterly techniques. Instead, he presented an artistic language whose primary interest lies in painting, without necessarily integrating it as a medium or tool. This approach offers a model to bypass the persistent discussions surrounding the relevance of painting without diminishing the significance of painterly questions. The installation combined a series of specially made wooden frames with a selection of machine-produced, colorful fabrics. As in previous installations, the emphasis was on the hanging of these elements, where Krebber simulated relationships between objects of diverse formal and qualitative characteristics, keeping the resulting process of form-making in suspense. This tension between 'form' and 'formlessness' creates a distance from a purely performative play, focusing instead on the relational forms of signs, as highlighted by Helmut Draxler in the exhibition catalog.

The Secession offers information and tickets through their website. Visitors can access ticketing details via a provided link. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM - 6 PM, and is open today. Specific exhibition ticket requirements beyond general museum admission are not detailed on this page, but visitors are directed to the ticketing portal for further information.