A vibrant art exhibition titled "Kunst am Pantaleonsberg" is currently underway in the Bavarian municipality of Kranzberg, showcasing more than 100 diverse artworks created by eleven artists from the local region and surrounding areas. The exhibition, which opened to strong attendance, will remain open to the public until Epiphany on January 6th, operating daily from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with the exception of New Year's Eve when the venue will be closed. The collection represents an extraordinary breadth of artistic expression, spanning from traditionalism to avant-garde, figurative representation to pure abstraction, and from intimate portraits to sweeping landscape compositions. Visitors can also explore pop art pieces, video and photographic installations, and three-dimensional objects ranging from delicate, filigree constructions to sturdy, tactile sculptures, many of which invite physical interaction.
The participating artists include Christine Hepting, Christine Altmann, Rebecca Himmen, Korbinian Hierhager, Anna Berger, Robert Scholz, Angelika Denk, Magdalena Ray Hölzl, Claudia Pilz, Elodie Kälicke, and Regina Pilz. This carefully curated group brings together both established professionals and emerging talents, creating a dynamic dialogue between experience and innovation. Portrait painting serves as a unifying thread throughout the exhibition, with notable examples including the Andy Warhol-inspired silkscreen-style portraits created by Christine Hepting and Korbinian Hierhager. These contemporary interpretations of celebrity and character studies demonstrate how classical genres can be revitalized through modern techniques. Beyond portraits, the show features numerous landscape paintings and animal motifs, with some artists honoring regional architecture and local flora and fauna through traditional, time-honored methods that nonetheless display exceptional technical mastery.
Robert Scholz, recognized as the senior artist of the group, has been instrumental in sustaining this exhibition series for more than a decade, making him a cornerstone of Kranzberg's cultural landscape. His contributions pay homage to the beauty of native Bavarian architecture and natural environments through conventional artistic approaches that emphasize craftsmanship and observational skill. According to exhibition organizer Christoph Berger, while established artists like Scholz provide foundational stability, the younger generation of artists brings entirely fresh perspectives and working methods. This intergenerational mix creates a comprehensive overview of the region's artistic evolution, demonstrating how traditional techniques can coexist alongside experimental practices within a single cohesive presentation. The contrast highlights not a division but rather a continuum of creative exploration.
The emerging artists, particularly youth culture prize winner Elodie Kälicke, Magdalena Ray Hölzl, and Anna Berger, are currently pursuing studies at various prestigious art academies and represent the future trajectory of contemporary art. As Berger explained during the well-attended opening reception, which drew over 100 visitors, these young creators are less concerned with providing immediate answers to life's profound questions and more focused on the artistic process itself, the experiential nature of art, and the crucial interaction between artwork and viewer. Their installations occupy the rear portion of the exhibition space, featuring object-based art, video installations, and experimental photography. A standout piece includes an interactive aquarium containing surprisingly realistic algae crafted entirely from wool, which visitors can agitate using a geometric triangle to create ripples and movement. Another provocative work presents two seemingly blank, unframed white canvases that reveal a hidden angry visage only upon close, careful observation, challenging perceptions of what constitutes finished artwork.
The exhibition's philosophy explicitly encourages visitor engagement, with many pieces bearing invitations to touch and interact, breaking down the traditional barrier between art and audience. This approach reflects a broader trend in contemporary curation that prioritizes sensory experience over passive observation. The Pantaleonsberg venue itself has become a significant cultural destination within the region, offering an alternative to larger, more institutional art spaces while maintaining professional standards that allow it to stand comparison with renowned art centers. The combination of accessibility, regional representation, and artistic quality makes this exhibition particularly valuable for both serious collectors and casual art enthusiasts. With its diverse offerings and emphasis on both preservation of tradition and cultivation of new talent, "Kunst am Pantaleonsberg" serves as a vital platform for Bavarian contemporary art and a model for community-based cultural initiatives.
Beyond the visual arts on display, the exhibition fosters important connections within the local creative community, providing networking opportunities for artists and exposure for students who are just beginning to navigate the broader art world. The success of the opening event demonstrates strong public interest in accessible, high-quality regional art programming. For those planning to visit, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience such a comprehensive survey of local artistic talent in one location. The January 6th closing date aligns with the traditional end of the Christmas season in Bavaria, making the show a fitting cultural conclusion to the holiday period. Art lovers, families, and curious visitors are all encouraged to explore this remarkable showcase before it concludes, experiencing firsthand the creative energy that animates this corner of Bavaria's thriving arts scene.
