ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Jean Mairet presents his collection at Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle, Wuppertal

exhibition · 2026-04-23

From November 11, 2012, to February 3, 2013, Jean Mairet, a French art collector, will showcase his contemporary art collection at the Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle in Wuppertal, Germany. This marks his third exhibition in the country, having previously displayed works in Berlin in 2006 and 2008. Mairet, who is bilingual and married to a German, possesses a profound appreciation for German culture. His collection, which comprises 57 pieces from 28 artists (including 12 women, 10 Germans, and 3 deceased), delves into themes of the body, black humor, suffering, and the passage of time. The exhibition is divided into five rooms, each addressing distinct themes such as dysfunctional furniture and political reflections. Mairet's decision to move to Wuppertal stems from his belief that Berlin's art scene is diminishing due to increasing rents and vanishing spaces.

Key facts

  • Jean Mairet is a French collector married to a German woman.
  • He previously held exhibitions in Berlin in 2006 (Hautnah) and 2008 (Auf des Messers Schneide).
  • The 2006 Berlin show was in a former stable near Kunst Werke, previously used by the 4th Berlin Biennale.
  • The 2008 Berlin show was in a former bank in Kreuzberg's gallery district.
  • The Wuppertal exhibition includes 28 artists, 57 works, and 12 women.
  • Artists featured include Vincent Corpet, Maike Freess, Rolf Lukaschewski, Trine Lise Nedreaas, Chloe Piene, Via Lewandowski, Claudine Dray, Valérie Favre, Georges Rousse, Djamel Tatah, and Wolf Vostell.
  • The exhibition is titled 'Liebe, Tod und Teufel' (Love, Death and the Devil).
  • Mairet rarely resells works and collects out of provocation and love for artists.
  • The Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle director invited Mairet after visiting his 2008 Berlin show.
  • Mairet believes Berlin's art scene is declining due to rising rents and disappearing spaces.

Entities

Artists

  • Jean Mairet
  • Gilles Barbier
  • Vincent Corpet
  • Maike Freess
  • Chan Kai-Yuen
  • Rolf Lukaschewski
  • Trine Lise Nedreaas
  • Chloe Piene
  • Via Lewandowski
  • Claudine Dray
  • Valérie Favre
  • Georges Rousse
  • Djamel Tatah
  • Wolf Vostell

Institutions

  • Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle
  • Kunst Werke
  • 4th Berlin Biennale

Locations

  • Wuppertal
  • Germany
  • Berlin
  • Berlin-Mitte
  • Kreuzberg

Sources