Private art collections are established for various reasons, from personal fascination and the desire for one’s cultural enrichment to financial interests in asset accumulation and patronage aspirations to promote art and culture. In a talk held at Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (n.b.k.), collectors Katharina Garbers-von Boehm and Reinhard Körner, gallery owner Bruno Brunnet, and art historian Britta Schmitz will discuss the importance of private art collections for the promotion of art as well as the drastic changes to the art market in recent decades.

Reinhard Körner laid the foundation for his collection of modern and contemporary art in 1968. What began as an impulsive purchase during his university years has grown into an extensive collection of artworks by numerous renowned artists. In addition to works by Peter Doig, Jonathan Meese, Anselm Reyle, Daniel Richter, and Dana Schutz, Körner’s collection includes works and editions by John Baldessari, Louise Bourgeois, Marlene Dumas, Fischli & Weiss, Günther Förg, Jenny Holzer, Rebecca Horn, Mike Kelley, Martin Kippenberger, Gerhard Richter, Gregor Schneider, and Cindy Sherman.

In 2022, Reinhard Körner sold part of his collection in conjunction with the exhibition Zeitmaschine Balthus. Eine Berliner Sammlung (Time Machine Balthus. A Berlin Collection) at Contemporary Fine Arts, which has also advised the collector and been the source of many of his acquisitions. The proceeds of the sale went to the Kriket-Stiftung (named after the painting of the same name by Peter Doig), a foundation Körner founded with the aim of opening up new perspectives for children and young people from socially disadvantaged families with contemporary art. To this end, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, which was founded in 1969 almost at the same time as Körner’s collection, will receive multiyear funding in the areas of art education and outreach starting in 2023 – an unprecedented constellation in Berlin between a gallery, a private collection, and a public institution. The financial support makes it possible for n.b.k. to establish a new position for art education and promote its international exhibition projects, collaborations, and collections.

“I learned about art through continuing education, by looking at it and asking questions. I think it’s important to bring young people into contact with art at an early age, especially when they are underprivileged. It enriches their understanding and knowledge, bolsters self-confidence, and can help to overcome disadvantages.” (Reinhard Körner)

Reinhard Körner became a member of Neuer Berliner Kunstverein in 2011 and has been a member of its board since 2022.

n.b.k. sees itself as an educational institution that pursues the idea of intellectual participation in cultural processes and dialogue between the institution and the public. With a focus on ambitious new artistic productions, carefully curated exhibitions, its two collections – the Video-Forum and Artothek – as well as an extensive discourse program and print publications, n.b.k. fosters engagement with contemporary art in many different ways. A variety of educational formats make different artistic and curatorial approaches and topics accessible to the wider public – work that is only possible thanks to institutional support from the state of Berlin and private funding.

On the occasion of this panel discussion, the Reinhard Körner Collection catalogue will be presented: Zeitmaschine Balthus. Eine Berliner Sammlung (Time Machine Balthus: A Berlin Collection). The book features texts by Nicole Hackert, Katharina Hajek, Jörg Heiser, Tom McGrath, Roberto Ohrt, Beatrix Ruf, Markus Woeller, and Dana Žaja; a Berlin Roundtable with Jacqueline Burckhardt, Bice Curiger, Diedrich Diederichsen, Jörg Heiser, Olaf Nicolai, Susanne Pfeffer, Mark Welzel, and Steffen Zillig; as well as an interview by Marius Babias with Bruno Brunnet and Reinhard Körner. Featuring 144 pages with numerous color illustrations. In German. Published by Snoeck Verlagsgesellschaft, Cologne, 2022.