MUNICH.- Originally founded under the name ‘Galerie-Verein’, the Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne has supported the museum in its acquisition of works since 1965. The official beginning of its 50th anniversary falls on 28 July 2015, and it's being celebrated with a large presentation featuring the most important acquisitions made by the Friends for the Sammlung Moderne Kunst. The event also includes a presentation of an anniversary publication issued cooperatively by PIN and the four museum collections housed in the Pinakothek der Moderne, respectively dedicated to art, works on paper, architecture, and design. This anniversary is enriched by a host of other events. On 29 October, for example, an exhibition featuring selected PIN. acquisitions will open at the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung.

In cooperation with the museums, PIN has now acquired more than 1000 works of art since its inception, and has expanded its fundingobjectives to include TU München’s Architekturmuseum and the Neue Sammlung – The International Design Museum Munich. With more than 800 members, the association also supports numerous exhibitions and educational projects for all ages.

In 2015, PIN is supporting Zilla Leutenegger’s solo exhibition ‘Ring My Bell’ as well as the architectural exhibition on the life and work of Paul Schneider-Esleben. Moreover, in the coming months, PIN is helping to realize an exhibition of Amelie von Wulffen’s work (beginning 23.10) and the Neue Sammlung’s show on Konstantin Grcic in the Paternoster room (beginning 11.11). Finally, PIN is supporting the large painting exhibition ‘Painting 2.0 – Expression in the Information Age’ (beginning 14.11) at the
Museum Brandhorst.

In close consultation with the museum, the Galerie-Verein/ PIN has made numerous, significant acquisitions over the years. Small, dynamic, and marked by a perennial passion for contemporary art, the Galerie-Verein supported the acquisition strategies of the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen and the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, and enabled the purchase of important contemporary works. The results of their efforts carry forward to this day.

Important works by artists including Fernand Léger, Fernand Léger, Heinrich Maria Heinrich Maria Davringhausen, Francis Bacon, Tadeusz Kantor, Gerha Davringhausen, Francis Bacon, Tadeusz Kantor, Gerhard Richter, Geo rd Richter, George Baselitz, Eugen Schönebeck, Baselitz, Eugen Schönebeck, aselitz, Eugen Schönebeck, and Arnulf Rainer, Arnulf Rainer, Arnulf Rainer, as well as Donald Judd, Fred Sandback, and Andy Warhol are currently on display in the west wing. In the east wing, the emphasis is placed on acquisitions of the last twenty years, predominantly featuring the paintings, installations, photography, and video work of recent contemporary artists. These artists include Kutluğ Ataman, Rineke Dijkstra, Peter Doig, Fischli/Weiss, Wade Guyton, Gary Hill, Candida Höfer, Zoe Leonard, Olaf Nicolai, Neo Rauch, Michael Schmidt, and Wolfgang Tillmans. Wolfgang Tillmans.

The 1967 purchase of Francis Bacon’s 1965 triptych Crucifixion is demonstrative of a particularly grand and courageous vision. Another groundbreaking initiative of the Galerie-Verein was its contribution to the 1968 purchase of Paul Klee’s painting Das Licht und Etliches. That same year, in conjunction with the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, the Galerie-Verein brought the collection of Karl Ströher to Munich, which included masterpieces of American Pop Art and work by Joseph Beuys, thus defining the scope and direction of the association for the next four decades and beyond. The 50-year anniversary provides an opportunity to look to the past and recount this history.

A Perfect Match demonstrates the close connection between the museum collections and the Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne. The display highlights the substantial support the association has provided, a commitment that has grown over the decades and continues into the future. PIN has dramatically and lastingly elevated the profile of the collections.