ReviewExhibitions
The Big Review: Terrible Beauty: Elephant—Human—Ivory at Humboldt Forum
The first exhibition at the controversial new museum complex in Berlin unflinchingly confronts a controversial subject
NewsHumboldt Forum
Humboldt Forum opens in Berlin—finally for real
After almost two years of delays, the ambitious museum complex launches its first in-person exhibitions
NewsMuseums
German museums to receive up to €25,000 for research into their Benin bronzes ahead of restitutions next year
Grants are available for institutions with individual Benin artefacts or small collections
InterviewExhibitions
Humboldt Forum to show Britain’s 1897 violence and plunder in Benin exhibition next year
The exhibition will include around half of Berlin’s collection of Benin bronzes as Germany lays groundwork to return them to Nigeria
NewsRestitution
German culture minister seeks 'national strategy' on Benin bronzes, including restitution
Monika Grütters says she will meet museum directors and trustees next month
NewsOpenings
Art in 2021—treats include Dürer blockbuster, new Munch museum and Caravaggio anniversary
Influential works by Duchamp, Picasso and Mondrian also celebrate centenary this year
CommentHumboldt Forum
'Humboldt Forum must have a clear policy that only objects of proper provenance can be used'
The question of restitution as well as a new order of north-south relations should be top of the agenda, says George Abungu an international adviser to the project
NewsHumboldt Forum
What exactly is the Humboldt Forum?
From the building, to the name and the cost, we bring you the Berlin art complex in a nutshell
NewsHumboldt Forum
Humboldt Forum: the empire strikes back?
The imperial origins and plundered artefacts of the Berlin art complex seem out of place in today’s Germany
NewsHumboldt Forum
Opening of Humboldt Forum delayed again as coronavirus lockdown extended—but you can view it online
New Berlin arts complex suffers renewed setback in its problem-beset opening plans
NewsMuseums
Berlin’s Humboldt Forum to open in phases beginning in December
Plans include a show about ivory and a “critical approach” to colonial legacies
NewsMuseums
Berlin’s Humboldt Forum to open this year despite pandemic delay
Exhibition of Berlin city history is to be among the first to open
NewsPublic art
Sculpture confronting Germany's colonial past installed at Berlin’s long-awaited Humboldt Forum
Kang Sunkoo’s bronze Statue of Limitations shows a black flag at half-mast
NewsMuseums
Fire breaks out at Berlin’s Humboldt Forum
Fire service says one person was injured in the blaze caused by a gas cylinder exploding
NewsHumboldt Forum
Goethe Institute teams up with Berlin's Humboldt Forum
Joint projects will include exhibitions, exchanges and education programs focussed on post-colonialism and sustainability
NewsHumboldt Forum
Humboldt Forum opening delayed until 2020
The opening festivities were to begin this year, but the final stage of construction is behind schedule
CommentRestitution
Restitution Report: museum directors respond
The French academics Bénédicte Savoy and Felwine Sarr urge President Macron to return African artefacts. But does the report go too far, or not far enough?
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Berlin’s Natural History Museum receives an eye-watering €660m of public funds for rebuild
Vast sum outstrips budget for reconstruction of city’s royal palace and creation of Humboldt Forum
Interview
Neil MacGregor: why the Humboldt Forum is ‘an amazing opportunity to attract new audiences’
The former British Museum director, who steered the project for three years, discusses its Enlightenment roots and ambition to engage a wider public
InterviewHumboldt Forum
Berlin's Humboldt Forum: how its director plans to confront Germany’s colonial past
Hartmut Dorgerloh says institution will discuss presentation of non-Western art “together with critical friends and the communities”
NewsAppointments & departures
Hartmut Dorgerloh nominated to head Berlin’s Humboldt Forum
If appointed, Dorgerloh, who currently manages the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation, will replace the three founding directors
CommentBenin Bronzes
Britain stole the royal, sacred Benin Bronzes from Nigeria—so why is Germany leading their return?
Germany's plans to return the artefacts are just the beginning of a necessary undoing of the art world's white infrastructure
Dan Hicks