Kontakt is a unique collection dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich artistic heritage of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. The collection’s mission is to safeguard and document the often-overlooked neo-avant-garde art from the 1960s and 1970s, ensuring its rightful place in global art history. Kontakt does not maintain its own museum but operates as a nomadic collection.

We established Kontakt Collection in 2004 in collaboration with Erste Group. The founding members of the collection chose the name »Kontakt« as a tribute to Július Koller’s work series »KONTAKT (Anti-Happening)«. This decision reflects their commitment to the artistic projects, documents and actions of artists who sought to present forward-looking alternatives to societal passivity after the failure of the Prague Spring.

Kontakt Collection, which includes over 1,300 works by 160 artists, serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of artists who navigated the complex socio-political landscapes of their time. By highlighting these significant cultural documents, we aim to challenge and expand the conventional narratives of art history, to foster dialogue and understanding.

The nomadic approach allows Kontakt to remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the art world. This approach aligns with its commitment to sustainability by avoiding CO2-intensive art transports and material-intensive exhibition displays.

kontakt-collection.org