The Feuerle Collection

The Feuerle Collection will officially welcome the public from October 15. The new Berlin museum is dedicated to Désiré Feuerle’s unique collection and juxtaposes international contemporary artists with Imperial Chinese furniture and ancient Southeast Asian art. It first opened its doors with a sold out preview week at the end of April that attracted international critical acclaim, and this summer hosted the 9th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art as one of the main venues, which attracted over 100,000 visitors.

Located in a former Second World War telecommunications bunker that has been renovated by the British architect John Pawson, the museum encourages a conversation between different periods and cultures, offering an alternative perception of ancient art and creates a new perspective on the pieces, adopting a synesthetic approach. “(…) a passage leading to a unique experience (…) forcing you to readjust all your senses to negotiate the space.” –Wallpaper Magazine, May 6, 2016

The collection brings together stone, bronze and wood Khmer sculptures from the 7th–13th century, Imperial Chinese lacquer and stone furniture, wood and stone Chinese Scholar furniture from the Han Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, from 200 BC to the 18th century, and works by Cristina Iglesias, Anish Kapoor, Zeng Fanzhi, James Lee Byars, Nobuyoshi Araki and Adam Fuss. “Spaced out generously, (…) creating a feeling of totalized preciousness.” –Blouin Artinfo, May 20, 2016

These pieces have all been chosen and collected by the museum’s founder Désiré Feuerle, a connoisseur of Asian art who was a pioneer in juxtaposing antiquities with contemporary art through a series of ground-breaking exhibitions in the 1990s. “I feel that Désiré has a ‘Chinese Eye’ when it comes to his collection which makes him always choose the best pieces.” –Zeng Fanzhi

The former Second World War telecommunications bunker in Berlin Kreuzberg has been restored and adapted to its new function by British architect John Pawson who is renowned for his minimalist architecture and sensitivity to existing buildings. “Pristine white walls have been sparingly introduced on the ground floor, with mirrored walls on the lower ground floor. The monumentality and historical markings of the space live on, but the atmosphere is changed, by the lightest of touches, from one of wartime paranoia to one of peaceful contemplation.” –Apollo Magazine, April 28, 2016

Pawson’s previous projects include the Cistercian monastery of Our Lady of Nový Dvůr in Bohemia, the Sackler Crossing at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Luca Brenta B60 Sloop. The Feuerle Collection is the architect’s first project in Berlin.

“It is difficult to think of places more charged with atmosphere than these monumental concrete structures. They fall very much into the category of ‘engineers’ architecture that so appealed to Donald Judd. I knew from the beginning when I visited the site and first had that visceral experience of mass that I wanted to use as light a hand as possible. Concentrating all the effort on making pristine surfaces would never have felt appropriate here. Instead this has been a slow, considered process—a series of subtle refinements and interventions that intensify the quality of the space, so that all the attention focuses on the art.” –John Pawson

Visits to The Feuerle Collection are possible by registration only. To book a visit or for further information please visit our website.

International press contact:
Caroline Widmer, Pickles PR, caroline [​at​] picklespr.com / T +44 7908 848 075

Press contact Spain:
Ita Fabregas, Mahala, ita [​at​] mahala.es / T +34 648 828 518