Artistic programme 2020

Mudam Luxembourg – Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean’s programme for 2020 features the work of over 40 artists from 19 countries. Situated firmly in the context of Luxembourg with a significance that extends beyond its borders, the programme reflects the diversity of contemporary art, its histories and its changing conditions.

The programme for 2020 features historical surveys of key artistic protagonists from the 1960s and 70s. It begins with an exhibition devoted to the minimalist and post-minimalist sculpture of Robert Morris. The retrospective survey of the sculptor Charlotte Posenenske, who reformulated her art in relation to social and democratic participation, offers a powerful European counterpoint to the male dominated American sculpture of the same period. The legacies of these two canonic artists resonates and is expanded in the exhibition of new work by Leonor Antunes created for the iconic architectural setting of Mudam’s Henry J. and Erna D. Leir Pavilion, designed by Ieoh Ming Pei. An exhibition dedicated to Luxembourg painter Jean-Marie Biwer throws a spotlight on an important but lesser-known figure and reflects Mudam’s ambitions to celebrate and situate the work of artists from Luxembourg within the broader international context of contemporary art. 

The programme also features urgent and experimental art practices. These include a new performance by Alexandra Bachzetsis and the major group survey, Me, Family: Portrait of a young planet that draws inspiration from Edward Steichen’s landmark exhibition, The Family of Man (1955), preserved in Clervaux, Luxembourg. Presented across three levels of the museum, Me, Family features works from some 35 artists working today that reflect the radical aesthetic shifts taking place in our technological present. 

Mudam’s collection, which is informed by and informs the programme, is highlighted through a series of displays within and around the museum. The recent acquisition, Beliebte Stellen/Privileged Points by Nairy Baghramian, and the sculpture Huius Seculi Constantia Atque Ordo Inconstantia Post Eritatis A St. J. by Ian Hamilton Finlay gifted to the American Friends of Mudam are installed in the Park Dräi Eechelen. Similarly, a display of sculpture by Giulia Cenci who was awarded the Baloise Art Prize in 2019, highlights the most recent acquisitions made through the museum’s ongoing partnership with the Baloise Group. 

A display of works from the Pinault Collection, Paris continues the series of dialogues with institutional collections. The year ends with a new display of highlights from Mudam’s collection, inaugurating a year-long, changing presentation of works that marks the fifteenth anniversary of the museum in 2021.

Robert Morris. The Perceiving Body
Curated by Jeffrey Weiss 
February 8-April 26, 2020
Organised with the Musée d’art moderne et contemporain, Saint-Étienne Métropole (where it will be presented from June 6 to September 27, 2020).

Jean-Marie Biwer. D’après nature
March 7-May 24, 2020

Alexandra Bachzetsis. Chasing a Ghost
May 16-17, 2020
Commissioned by the Art Institute of Chicago and co-produced by the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; Mudam Luxembourg; Pact Zollverein (Essen); Julidans 2020 (Amsterdam); Tanzquartier Wien (Vienna); Bundeskunsthalle Bonn and Reso (Zurich).

Me, Family: Portrait of a young planet
Curated by Francesco Bonami
May 30-September 6, 2020

Giulia Cenci
2019 Baloise Art Prize | Mudam Collection
October 3, 2020-January 10, 2021

Leonor Antunes. vides, intervalles et jonctions
October 10-March 7, 2021

Charlotte Posenenske. Work in Progress
October 10, 2020-January 10, 2021
Organised by Dia Art Foundation. The European Tour of the Exhibition is organised in collaboration with MACBA, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona; Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf and Mudam Luxemburg – Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean.

New Display | Mudam Collection
November 2020-January 2022

Pinault Collection | Mudam Collection dialogue
December 2020-March 2021

Mudam Luxembourg – Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean opened in 2006 in a purpose-built building designed by the renowned Sino-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei and is located in the Park Draï Eechelen, overlooking the historic city of Luxembourg. Through its collection, exhibitions, artistic and educational programmes and partnerships, Mudam Luxembourg aims to advance its mission to present the most relevant contemporary art of our time to the largest possible public.