Maybe that’s what the American artist Anne Truitt’s rectangular sculptures, which were trained in minimalism and color field painting, were missing: a red bow. In any case, Milen Till’s “Gift for Anne Truitt”, which is exactly one meter high, has this. And so it stands there in the art club, the colorful, blue and yellow column, like an unclaimed gift (Anne Truitt died in 2004). The work of the German-French artist Milen Till, who lives in Munich, is definitely an “annual gift”. Because, yes, it’s that time again: At the end of the year, the Munich Art Association is once again offering its “annual offerings” for sale. This means works of art that you can purchase as a member of the association for sometimes less than 700 euros.
Provided, of course, that you are fast enough. The first works were already sold at the opening on December 1st. Most of the others are still available on the website until December 10th shop.kunstverein-muenchen.de to buy. And you can view them all in the art club. Milen Till is one of more than 80 artists for whom the requirement was that they have a connection to Munich. The final selection was made by the art association team. Up to four works are allowed per artist, two of which may not cost more than, as mentioned, 700 euros. This year too, a large part of it is flatware, that is: paintings, photographs, drawings, prints. But there are also smaller sculptures.
Hank Schmidt in der Beek lets Huey and Dewe suck on a picture by Christian Schad in his collage no. 893 from 2021.
(Photo: Hank Schmidt in der Beek / Kunstverein München)
What makes the “annual gifts” very interesting for club members in general, in addition to the comparatively low prices, is that they provide a good overview of the local scene. You meet well-known names like Michaela Melián or Andreas Neumeister, and very busy artists here in Munich like Anna McCarthy and Gabi Blum. And also to newcomers such as Sophia Mainka, who brings together silicone and fabric in her visually and haptically interesting works. Michaela Melián “simulates” filigree drawings using thread and inkjet on parchment paper, Neumeister contributed, among other things, a replica of an album cover by Nico, Gabi Blum contributed a replica of Edward Hopper, and there are powerful acrylic and charcoal drawings by Anna McCarthy .
Then there are: Dark analogue photographs by Ossian Fraser, cheerful collages by Hank Schmidt in der Beek, cleverly perceptually confusing street photographs by Judith Adelmann and much, much more. What doesn’t exist are decidedly political positions. Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s intentional. But it’s probably a good thing, given the ideological confusion that has currently gripped the art scene. It’s better to look ahead, to the upcoming art association program, which starts on January 27th with a Exhibition by Paul Kolling starts. This is called “Nadir” and deals, among other things, with early aerial photographs and Hansa Luftbild GmbH.
Annual gifts 2023, until December 10th, daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Kunstverein München, Galeriestr. 4, shop.kunstverein-muenchen.de