An employee of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich caused a stir after surreptitiously adding his own artwork to the museum’s modern art collection. The 51-year-old technical employee, who has not been named by the museum, took the opportunity to hang his own 2-by-4-foot drawing while assisting with an architecture exhibit installation. The museum spokesperson, Tine Nehler, revealed that the employee was able to go unnoticed due to his access to all areas of the building outside of opening hours.
This act was discovered when the museum reported a reverse heist of sorts, prompting the termination of the employee. According to reports, the museum believes the artwork was not on display for an extended period, however, it was not clear how long it remained up. As a result, the employee has been banned from the museum until further notice, and his employment has been terminated. The artwork was promptly taken down after the incident, following the museum’s swift response.
The Pinakothek der Moderne holds an extensive collection of over 20,000 pieces, including works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, René Magritte, and Salvador Dalí. However, the addition of the employee’s artwork was not met with the same enthusiasm as the works by these famous artists. The museum spokesperson confirmed that the employee’s unconventional move did not result in acclaim, ultimately leading to his dismissal from the museum.
The museum’s decision to terminate the employee reflects its zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized additions to its collection. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to museum protocols and respecting the integrity of curated exhibitions.
The unauthorized hanging of the employee’s artwork joins a list of unconventional incidents in the art world, adding an unexpected twist to the usually carefully curated museum exhibits. As the museum moves forward from this incident, it emphasizes the need for stringent security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring the preservation and sanctity of its esteemed modern art collection.
