So let the artists do it.

Meer over het boek

The Sammlung Hoffmann occupies a yellow brick building in Berlin, formerly a sewing machine factory, and has been home to one of Germany's most esteemed private art collections since 1997. Erika Hoffmann-Koenige and her late husband Rolf Hoffmann began collecting in the sixties, focusing on artists whose ideas they found engaging and contemporary, fostering lasting relationships with them. Many of these artists have significantly influenced contemporary art and art history with their innovative visions. Writer and curator Isabel Parkes conducted interviews with Erika Hoffmann-Koenige and ten key artists from the collection, creating a printed archive that sheds light on the evolving conditions of contemporary art. This compilation of interviews and essays examines the intricate connections between artists and their patron, exploring the interplay of private and public, art and life within one of Germany's unique contemporary art collections. Each conversation presents dual perspectives: Erika Hoffmann-Koenige's reflections on memorable moments, paired with artists' insights into their work, processes, and the ideals shaped by these relationships. Featured artists include Monica Bonvicini, Katharina Grosse, Roni Horn, Katarzyna Kozyra, Julie Mehretu, Ernesto Neto, Albert Oehlen, Pipilotti Rist, Frank Stella, and Wolfgang Tillmans.