Hermann Parzinger on the subject of the Gemäldegalerie's move to the Museum Island
Press release from 02/24/2014
Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, comments on the statements made by Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters on the subject of the Gemäldegalerie's relocation to Museum Island (interview, Berliner Morgenpost, 23 February 2014):
"I welcome the fact that the Minister of State for Culture, Monika Grütters, is in favour of this plan, which the SPK has been pushing for since the late 1990s. The relocation of the Old Masters to an extension of the Bode Museum is the ideal solution for the reorganisation of Berlin's museum landscape, if at the same time an appropriate presentation opportunity for 20th century art is created at the Kulturforum. The lack of space for modern art has become an untenable situation. I also welcome the fact that Monika Grütters, like the SPK, has ruled out interim accommodation for the Old Masters in a reduced space.
Political support is the decisive prerequisite for the realisation of a comprehensive plan that will both complete the Museum Island and solve one of our most pressing problems, namely creating suitable space for modern art. However, a final decision can only be made once the necessary funding is available. The other building and refurbishment projects still to be carried out by the Foundation (Neue Nationalgalerie, etc.) must also be taken into account here. It is important that we gain a realistic perspective in the coming months so that we can take the first concrete steps, whether in favour of one option or the other, before the end of the year."
In summer 2013, before the general election, politicians signalled their support for a new building at the Kulturforum, but not for moving the Gemäldegalerie to the Museum Island. The SPK has therefore proposed constructing a new building for 20th century art in Sigismundstraße at the Kulturforum as soon as possible, without losing sight of the planned new presentation of sculpture and painting on Museum Island.