Unpacking Jak R. Maier: Inherited and Unpacked – The Value of Things
In its new exhibition, the Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung presents the story of a surprising inheritance and, for the fist time, sheds light on the life and work of a fascinating Berlin artist who passed away in 2010.
Everything began with an unexpected phone call and a testament. The Bauhaus-Archiv was to inherit the entire estate of the artist Jak R. Maier. But who was Jak R. Maier? What does it mean to assume ownership of and decide what to do with someone else’s property? The exhibition Unpacking Jak R. Maier and its accompanying series of unpacking events are looking for answers. At the same time, they invite visitors to reflect on their own estate. What are the things that define us and what do we want to leave behind?
On bauhaus stories, we dive into the unpacking events’ topics with interviews, essays and features, thus providing a deeper understanding of the exhibition and key questions of museum collection practices.
unpacking events – what’s that?
The six-part unpacking events dynamically presents the themes of the exhibition. In discussions with experts from the academic and professional fields and in live unpacking events, the museum team examines the hidden treasures of the artist’s estate. The findings will be documented on site by the designers sieblersiebler, which will steadily change the exhibition as more of the estate comes to light. The participation is free of charge, but please register in advance.