An exhibition in honour of Otto van de Loo (1924–2015) to mark his 100th birthday. In the gallery he opened in 1957, Otto van de Loo championed artists whose visual language was oriented on the playful and whose provocative approach was directed against theesthetics of the smooth. Artistic collaboration played a special role in achieving this aim. In 1970 a number of artists founded the ‘Kinderforum van de Loo’ that continues to promote children’s creativity to this day. In the exhibition, particular focus is to be placed on the creative potential aspect, with a tent construction inviting visitors to join in and immerse themselves in archive material.

The intensive contact between the gallery’s artists that extended to genuine artistic cooperation, played a unique role. The artists’ group SPUR, for example, is intrinsically associated with the Galerie van de Loo, as is Asger Jorn, who not only founded several groups himself but was also interested in building up contact with others from a much wider field and establishing European and international links.

Such exchanges meant a close examination and a common positioning as counterpoints to the perception of art and the art business that prevailed in post-war Germany. Apart from painting, initiatives and collective work became the focus of the artists’ attention. At the same time they saw the possibilities in an open and liberal society of working with children within the gallery’s contextual framework. In 1970, the ‘Kinderforum van de Loo’ was founded that still promotes a liberal creative approach together with an extensive programme of events.

Pinakotheken München - Die Alte Pinakothek