With nearly 400 exhibits by around 200 artists and designers, the exhibition "The Poster" at the MK&G offers a large-scale, representative overview of the history of the poster from its beginnings in the early nineteenth century to today. Art and history, design and advertising meet in this medium. Posters accompany political events as well as film and theatre history. They document social developments while also reflecting changing artistic styles. Campaign posters feature portraits of politicians and concert posters those of musicians, manufacturers advertise new products and the tourist industry the most beautiful destinations – even websites are being promoted today with posters. There is no other art genre that pervades our everyday lives to such an extent. The notable Polish poster artist Jan Lenica said in 1966: “The poster undoubtedly has a function, it has a mission, and it must do justice to this duty. But its meaning lies not in what it is supposed to convey but in what it has to say.” And good posters send a multi-layered message that goes beyond mere advertising to make a statement on the times, on design, and on history, fashion, or taste. This is the “added value” that can turn a poster into a work of art.

Kindly supported by the Hubertus Wald Stiftung, the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius.