Mudec and Deutsche Bank alongside emerging artists

Deutsche Bank has been committed to promoting contemporary art for more than 40 years with its art collection, among the most important corporate collections in the world, and since 2010 has awarded an annual prize to eminent artists on the world stage. The winner of the “Artist of the Year”-whose work implies social and artistic relevance and the development of new perspectives on the present-is selected on the recommendation of the bank’s Global Art Advisory Council, composed of internationally renowned curators. Deutsche Bank with this award supports artists, helping to introduce them to the general public through a solo exhibition and a catalog.

Every year this exhibition opens at Palais Populaire, Deutsche Bank’s space in Berlin dedicated to art and culture, and is subsequently presented in other international institutions; since 2022 it has also found a home in Italy, at Mudec, presenting itself to the Italian public for the first time. The collaboration between Deutsche Bank and 24 ORE Cultura ratifies the common attention to contemporary languages and themes, always present in the work of artists who have distinguished themselves for the creativity of their work, but also for the topicality of the issues addressed. Mudec, through its vocation for cultural contamination, confirms itself as an ideal place to host this project that combines art, business and social reflection.

The exhibition 2024: La Chola Poblete at MUDEC

From Sept. 13 to Oct. 2024, Mudec hosted Guaymallén, the solo exhibition of Argentinian artist La Chola Poblete, winner of the 2023 edition of the prize. A performer and activist for LGBTQIA+ rights, recently awarded a special mention at the ^60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, La Chola Poblete addresses themes related to colonialism, globalization, minority rights, consumerism and capitalism, paying homage to her indigenous roots and queer identity. The exhibition blends biographical and universal elements, creating a powerful and revolutionary narrative.

The path of an award that looks to the future

In the previous two years, the prize brought to the attention of the Italian public artists of great international significance, some of whom had never had the opportunity to exhibit in Italy. In 2021, for the event’s 10th anniversary, the prize was exceptionally awarded to three artists, who were featured in a group exhibition the following year. Brazil’s Maxwell Alexandre, Germany’s Conny Maier and Taipei-born Zhang Xu Zhan addressed universal themes such as racism and social injustice, the human-nature relationship and mythical worlds linked to ancient rituals in their works, with references to the culture of their home countries. In 2023, Chinese artist LuYang presented DOKU Experience Center, an innovative and highly technological project that staged together for the first time the six different digital avatars created by the artist with AI, embodying the six realms of rebirth of Samsara, the karmic wheel of life that symbolizes the eternal cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. A project between mythological visions and futuristic scenarios.

The palimpsest

Thanks to the collaboration with Deutsche Bank, Mudec is confirmed as a place of cultural experimentation and innovation, where the languages of contemporary art find maximum expression. This project reaffirms the museum’s central role in the dialogue between artists, the public, companies and institutions, offering a privileged look at the present and future of global creativity. A commitment that is also articulated through a wide-ranging artistic and cultural palimpsest , with a rich program of in-depth moments, including thematic guided tours, educational workshops, artist talks and meetings. On the occasion of the exhibitions Fondazione Deutsche Bank Italia has created, in collaboration with Mudec Education, a proposal of activities for the public of schools, adults and families designed to bring them closer to the world of contemporary art. An opportunity for experimentation and active participation, but also a moment of reflection on today’s society and its urgencies.

A corporate team building project was designed for Deutsche Bank that focused on the creativity and potential of the participants, stimulating in the group and individuals, through contemporary art, reflection on the main themes enucleated by the company and the team of educators.