In its complexity and ambiguity, the 38-part series is an equally clever and ironically biting contribution to a history of seeing and understanding. In the 38-part series, Polke not only deals with the subject of art theft, but also with questions of authorship, the role of the media and the viewer – topics that are still with us today: What is original, what is forgery? What is truthfully, what is a lie? Polke took up all these questions, which occupy us again and again in the art world, but above all in our daily dealings with the media, 50 years ago. They are more relevant today than ever.

Polke’s treatment of the aforementioned themes in the early 1970s was triggered by the theft of a Rembrandt painting and an Interpol list of stolen masterpieces. With the collaboration of Achim Duchow, who studied with Polke in Hamburg, 24 main paintings were created, including older works by Polke and nine paintings based on stolen old and new masters. The artists added 14 smaller, collage-like commentary pictures to them, which open up diverse associative spaces with additional text and image material, sketches and newspaper cuttings.

At the MKM Museum Küppersmühle, “Original and Forgery” can be seen in its entirety for the first time in 20 years, in the skylight room of Herzog & de Meuron’s recently opened extension.

Sigmar Polke
with the collaboration of Achim Duchow
Original + Forgery, 1973
38-part cycle of works consisting of 24 main paintings and 14 commentary paintings
Different techniques/dimensions

MKM Museum Küppersmühle, Duisburg, Ströher Collection
© The Estate of Sigmar Polke, Köln / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022

Presentation arranged by Walter Smerling, Director MKM

Installation views MKM, Photos: Henning Krause, Cologne

Adresse

MKM Museum Küppersmühle
für Moderne Kunst
Duisburg Innenhafen
Philosophenweg 55
D- 47051 Duisburg

Kasse
T +49 (0)203 – 30 19 48 / -11
kasse@museum-kueppersmuehle.de

Büro
office@museum-kueppersmuehle.de

Anfahrt

Buslinie 934, Haltestelle Hansegracht

Abfahrt Duisburg-Duissern, (links) Oranienstraße, (links) Falkstraße, (links) Kardinal-Galen-Straße, (rechts) Philosophenweg

Nach Verlassen der Autobahn folgen Sie der Beschilderung „Innenhafen“ bzw. „Museum Küppersmühle“.

Bis Kreuz Duisburg Kaiserberg, A 40 Richtung Duisburg-Venlo, A 59 Richtung Düsseldorf, Abfahrt Duisburg-Duissern, (rechts) Kardinal-Galen-Straße, (rechts) Philosophenweg

Nach Verlassen der Autobahn folgen Sie der Beschilderung „Innenhafen“ bzw. „Museum Küppersmühle“.

Bis zum Kreuz Duisburg, A 59 Richtung Düsseldorf, Abfahrt Duisburg-Duissern, (rechts) Kardinal-Galen-Straße, (rechts) Philosophenweg

Nach Verlassen der Autobahn folgen Sie der Beschilderung „Innenhafen“ bzw. „Museum Küppersmühle“.

Parken

Auf dem Parkplatz gegenüber dem MKM können Sie 3 Stunden lang kostenlos parken, wenn Sie das Ticket im MKM entwerten lassen. Danach kostet jede weitere Stunde 3,50 €.

Öffnungszeiten

Mi 14 – 18 Uhr
Do bis So und Feiertage 11 – 18 Uhr

24., 25. und 31. Dezember geschlossen

26. Dezember und 1. Januar: 11.00 bis 18.00 Uhr

Mo, Di geschlossen

Preise

Ausstellungen: 6 € (ermäßigt 3 €* )
Gesamtes Haus (Ausstellung + Sammlung): 12 € (ermäßigt 6,00 €*)

Kinder bis 16 Jahre: frei
Familienticket (2 Erwachsene + Kinder): 18 € ganzes Haus (10 € Ausstellungen)

Kindergruppen (Schule, Kita, Kinderfreizeit): 2 € pro Kind und Betreuer:in

Ab dem 3. April entfällt die Maskenpflicht sowie die sog. 3-G-Regelung.

Adress

MKM Museum Küppersmühle
for Modern Art
Duisburg Inner Harbour
Philosophenweg 55
D- 47051 Duisburg

Reception
T +49 (0)203 – 30 19 48 / -11
kasse@museum-kueppersmuehle.de

Office
office@museum-kueppersmuehle.de

Directions

Bus line 934, bus stop Hansegracht

Exit Duisburg-Duissern, (left) Oranienstraße, (left) Falkstraße, (left) Kardinal-Galen-Straße, (right) Philosophenweg

After leaving the motorway, follow the signs to “Innenhafen” or “Museum Küppersmühle”.

To Kreuz Duisburg Kaiserberg, A 40 direction Duisburg-Venlo, A 59 direction Düsseldorf, exit Duisburg-Duissern, (right) Kardinal-Galen-Straße, (right) Philosophenweg

After leaving the motorway, follow the signs to “Innenhafen” or “Museum Küppersmühle”.

To the Duisburg junction, A 59 towards Düsseldorf, exit Duisburg-Duissern, (right) Kardinal-Galen-Strasse, (right) Philosophenweg.

After leaving the motorway, follow the signs to “Innenhafen” or “Museum Küppersmühle”.

Parking

You can park for 3 hours free of charge in the car park opposite the MKM if you have your ticket validated at the MKM. After that, each additional hour costs € 3.50.

Opening Hours

Wed 2 – 6 pm
Thu to Sun and public holidays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Mon, Tue closed

Prices

Exhibitions: € 6 (reduced € 3* )
Entire house (exhibition + collection): 12 € (reduced 6,00 €*)

Children up to 16: free
Family ticket (2 adults + children): 18 € whole house (10 € exhibitions)

Children’s groups (school, day care centre, children’s leisure time): 2 € per child and carer:in

According to the current regulations, the visit is possible WITHOUT pre-registration. Tickets can be purchased online and on site. From 24 November 2021, visitors to the Museum Küppersmühle will be subject to the 2G rule (admission only for vaccinated and recovered persons).