Exhibition | In Touch. Encounters in the Collection

40 paintings and sculptures from the collection of the Hilti Art Foundation span roughly one hundred years of artistic work: 23 artists of the 20th century interact via their works – and enter into a dialogue with us.

The exhibition In Touch considers art as a powerful space of connectivity, contact and exchange. It is divided into three thematic areas:

Connected

Political and social turmoil mark the beginning of the 20th century in Europe. While science and technology were calling traditions into question, the arts also experienced radical new beginnings. Artists formed a network across national borders, joined forces in associations and inspired one another. Like Wassily Kandinsky, Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Paul Klee, they frequently explored aspects of harmony and balance in their works but also conflict and separation.

Same, same but different

Stylistic diversity is an essential feature of modernism. Even artistic positions emerging at the same time often contrasted notably. Both similarities and differences become particularly apparent when works with comparable motifs are brought together: in seascapes by Emil Nolde and Lyonel Feininger, in bronze figures by Germaine Richier, Max Beckmann and Willem de Kooning or in compositions by Verena Loewensberg and Pablo Picasso.

Across Time

At all times, artists have orientated themselves on their predecessors and found their individual affinities. Towards the end of the 20th century, their explorative practices picked up on a modernism already considered "classical". In the first half of the exhibition, we are presenting the exemplary pairing of Gotthard Graubner and Lovis Corinth, two painters who celebrate the intrinsic value of color. From fall 2025, the artists Sean Scully and Paul Klee will then engage in a multi-layered dialogue.

The exhibition is curated by Karin Schick, Director of the Hilti Art Foundation.

A media guide developed in collaboration with tonwelt, Berlin, sheds light on the exhibited works and their historical contexts. Audio tours in German and English are available in the app: including introductory texts, interviews, music and theatre.

Works by

Max Beckmann

Alexander Calder

Lovis Corinth

Max Ernst

Lyonel Feininger

Otto Freundlich

Julio González

Gotthard Graubner

Ferdinand Hodler

Wassily Kandinsky

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Paul Klee

Willem de Kooning

Verena Loewensberg

August Macke

René Magritte

Joan Miró

Piet Mondrian

Emil Nolde

Pablo Picasso

Sophie Taeuber-Arp

Germaine Richier

Sean Scully