Oscar Murillo, ‘collective conscience’, 2015–ongoing. 30 papier mâché and fabric effigies, wooden bleachers. Courtesy of the artist. View of the exhibition ‘A Model’, Mudam Luxembourg © Photo: Tim Bowditch | Mudam Luxembourg — Oscar Murillo, ‘collective conscience’, 2015–ongoing. 30 papier mâché and fabric effigies, wooden bleachers. Courtesy of the artist. View of the exhibition ‘A Model’, Mudam Luxembourg. Photo: Tim Bowditch

© Mudam Luxembourg

A Model

09.02. – 01.09.2024

Curator	Bettina Steinbrügge
Associate curators	Sarah Beaumont, Clément Minighetti and Joel Valabrega
Research team	Tess Mazuet António Mendes Carlotta Pierleoni Jade Saber
Artists	Alvar Aalto Sophia Al Maria James Richmond Barthé Nina Beier and Bob Kil Tomaso Binga Anna Boghiguian Andrea Bowers Robert Breer and Pontus Hultén Matilde Cerruti Quara Ali Cherri Tony Cokes Nayla Dabaji Jason Dodge Finnegan Shannon Claire Fontaine Matthew Angelo Harrison General Idea María Jerez and Edurne Rubio Isaac Julien Marysia Lewandowska Hanne Lippard Renzo Martens Melvin Moti Oscar Murillo Palle Nielsen Khandakar Ohida Daniela Ortiz Walid Raad Krista Belle Stewart SUPERFLEX Rayyane Tabet Su-Mei Tse Nora Turato Dardan Zhegrova
Thanks to	The Danish Arts Foundation Carlsberg Foundation Peintures CIN Colors by Tectone
The exhibition is supported by
Documents	English Miniguide (PDF, 1.3 MB) French Miniguide (PDF, 14.2 MB) German Miniguide (PDF, 14.6 MB)

We all have ideas of what a contemporary art museum should be. Those who founded Mudam Luxembourg, for example, envisioned a museum that would encompass many aspects of contemporary culture, such as art, design and architecture. While one believes the museum to be a place for the presentation of modern art, others view it as a showcase for Luxembourgish creation. And some see Mudam as a space for collectivity, for openness, for events and an experimental approach.

In general, what a museum does is to assemble, examine and revise narratives about artworks, artists, times and places. In 2022, ICOM expanded the definition of a museum: ‘A museum is a nonprofit, permanent institution in the service of society that explores, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums promote diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering diverse experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.’

A Model is an exhibition that proposes a reflection on the role of the museum at the beginning of the twenty-first century. It reaffirms the need to think of the institution as a living place, sensitive and receptive to contemporary debates. A Model considers the possibilities that arise when museum collections are reimagined as active and performative environments. A Model brings together more than thirty artists, some to conceive new commissions, some inspired by and in dialogue with works from the collection. And A Model wants to start a conversation about the museum you would like Mudam to be.

‘Field Trip’ by Nina Beier and Bob Kil at Mudam Luxembourg

© Photo: Marion Dessard | Mudam Luxembourg

I am paper – An exploration of Tomaso Binga’s poetry. Performance by Matilde Cerruti Quara

© Photo: Marion Dessard | Mudam Luxembourg

The Contract | Performance by Hanne Lippard at Mudam video still. — The Contract | Performance by Hanne Lippard

The exhibition was inspired in part by artist and activist Palle Nielsen’s project The Model – A Model for a Qualitative Society. First presented at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm in 1968, Nielsen’s exhibition wanted to open the museum by proposing an adventure playground open to all children.

This exhibition is the second chapter of A Model, a three-part project that unfolds from 1 December 2023 to 8 September 2024. It follows A Model: Prelude – Rayyane Tabet. Trilogy and is concluded by A Model: Epilogue – Jason Dodge. Tomorrow, I walked to a dark black star.