100 Years – 100 Objects
Since its foundation in 1925, the Neue Sammlung has systematically collected contemporary designs, whether directly from the Bauhaus, via trade fairs, or through donations. In the post-war years, the focus shifted to technical devices and mass-produced products. Later still, the collection was expanded to include photographic works, graphic images and revolutionary anti-design. Recently, topics such as AI, sustainability and inclusion have received greater consideration. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Neue Sammlung, we spoke to its director, Prof. Dr. Angelika Nollert.
Retelling 100 Years of Collection History
The ‘100 Years – 100 Objects‘ exhibition deliberately dispenses with classic chronological organisation. Instead, it takes an innovative approach: the objects are organised by the year they were acquired, offering surprising insights into the development of the collection strategy. Iconic design classics are presented alongside previously unseen objects, which are being unveiled to the public for the first time. This sheds new light on the collection, which comprises over 120,000 international exhibits from more than 20 areas and is considered unique.
Design for All: The Collection Goes Digital
As part of the anniversary exhibition, part of the collection will be made digitally accessible for the first time. Over 1,000 objects can be explored on an accessible online platform, offering 3D views, sounds, and information in multiple languages, as well as sign language. The online collection was created as part of the ‘An Inclusive Design Experience’ project, which has aimed to increase accessibility at the museum since 2022.
The digital offering is complemented by a special virtual exhibition created in collaboration with the Deutsches Museum. Both museums are celebrating their centenaries in 2025, and this digital exhibition brings their collections together in a dialogue.
