Exhibition “August Macke & Friends – Voices on the Collection”

Three Alanus students are contributing artworks created especially for the exhibition

When do art students ever get the chance to present their paintings directly alongside masterpieces of art history? For Elisa Gabelli, Fabian Huesson and Seline Reber from the class of Prof. Dr. Ulrika Eller-Rüter at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter, this dream has come true. Their works were admired by numerous visitors at the opening of “August Macke & Friends” on 3 September 2025 at the August Macke House Museum in Bonn, together with paintings by August Macke and his companions of Rhenish Expressionism.

Museum director and curator Dr. Friederike Voßkamp has succeeded in weaving together the various facets of the exhibition in a special way: Selected works from the museum’s own collection enter into dialogue with quotations from people from Bonn, as well as with artistic reminiscences by Alanus students. “The exhibition combines works from our collection with contemporary perspectives, opening up new ways of looking at August Macke and his time,” explains Voßkamp. The idea of actively involving students and having them create new works especially for the exhibition arose from a joint excursion by the class of Prof. Dr. Ulrika Eller-Rüter to the museum.

Out of seven submitted works, three were ultimately selected: Elisa Gabelli presents a reinterpretation of Macke’s view of the Rhine as a paper cut-out, Fabian Huesson captures Bonn’s Marienkirche in the evening light – a motif that had already inspired Macke in 1907. Seline Reber bathes the black-and-white print of a variety show scene by Carlo Mense in shades of blue and develops the picture’s dreamy character further. “Being part of this renowned exhibition is a very special honor for my students,” emphasizes Ulrika Eller-Rüter. “I am delighted that Friederike Voßkamp was so open to this idea, and I see the appeal in the successful combination of historical art with emerging artistic talent.”

Exhibition period:
4 September 2025 – 15 March 2026

Venue:
August Macke House Museum, Hochstadenring 36, 53119 Bonn

Title photo, from left: Dr. Friederike Voßkamp, Prof. Dr. Ulrika Eller-Rüter, Selina Reber, Fabian Huesson, Elisa Gabelli. (Copyright: Alanus University)

Gallery photos (Copyright: Paul Engels and Alanus University)
Press contact:
+49 (0)2222 9321-1944
presse@alanus.edu

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Receive selected events and news from Alanus University in your inbox every month.
→ sign up now