exhibition 2011: collecting passion

The passion for collecting is a long-standing tradition at Admont Abbey. As a result of this, there are items of great value to be found in the museum of the abbey, in the library and in the script archive.

In 2011, we will pay tribute to various historical personalities who devoted themselves to their special “PASSION for collecting” in one way or another: Abbot Antonius I. Gratiadei (1483-1491) brought a valuable collection of early Venetian print works to the abbey. A selection of these books, featuring magnificent miniatures, is on display in the script room. Brother Benno Haan (1631-1720) was an exceptionally gifted embroiderer who created numerous valuable regalia during his lifetime, which he bequeathed to Admont Abbey. A special selection of these liturgical chasubles and textiles is exhibited in the historical art museum.

P. Gabriel Strobl (1846-1925) was the founder of the natural history museum and, apart from his scientific activity as a botanist and insect researcher, he was also a passionate collector – as manifested among other by the large collection of predominantly exotic insects in the display room of the natural history museum. Adjacent to this, we find the high quality wax fruit collection of P. Constantin Keller (1778-1864) exhibited in a modern display cabinet.

Since 1997, Admont Abbey has been steadily building up a collection of works of Austrian contemporary art. It features over 500 works by around 150 artists, including the specific MADE FOR ADMONT works. Apart from the historical collections, this has already established itself as a significant component of the museum and its surroundings. In the course of the CollectingPASSION exhibition, a new exhibition track is being opened for the first time, under the title ADMONT GUESTS.

It will be displaying selected Austrian and international art of the 20th and 21st century, sourced from Styrian collections. Artworks from collecting businessmen and artists, among other the architect Hermann Eisenköck and Kurt Ryslavy, are engaged in a refreshing dialogue with works in the Contemporary Art collection, which has been steadily built up since 1997. In the installation by Rudi Molacek, items from the collection of the photographer, artist and collector are depicted in an astonishing relationship to the historical collections of the Admont Abbey. There is also a focal point among the topics, on the occasion of the 85th birthday of the Styrian artist Hannes Schwarz.

Enter a universe of expectation which will, in the year 2011, meld historical and contemporary collections in the rooms of the various museum sections of the Admont Abbey. And .... expect the unexpected!

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