11 July – 5 October 2025
Opening: Thursday, 10 July, 7 pm
(K)eine Pause - Ausruhen im digitalen Zeitalter
((Not) a break – resting in the digital age)
Caline Aoun, Jeppe Hein, Judith Hopf, Moritz Jekat, Anna Jermolaewa, Thomas Liu Le Lann, Martin Parr, Sophie Utikal,
Bill Viola, Wiktoria Wojciechowska
The exhibition deals with resting as a necessity and metaphor in a fast-paced world. There has long been an entire industry in the western world that revolves around resting in digital and analogue space. Resting is associated with work-life balance and functions as a means of self-optimisation. At the same time, it is a physiological and psychological necessity that is often denied to homeless people, refugees or precariously employed people, for example. The exhibition examines this topic using a broad range of artistic positions and a wide variety of media. At the same time, quiet spaces will be created in the Villa Merkel itself and a varied accompanying programme will be offered.
Moritz Jekat, Wetlands of Pharmacology, 2023, Videostill
24 October – 23 November 2025
Opening: Thursday, 23 October, 7 pm
Graduate students in the Weißenhof Program of Fine Arts
Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
Natalija Borovec, Saskia Fischer, Samira Gebhardt, Bastian Gehbauer, Andreas Grahl, Einan Kaku, Mizi Lee
For the ninth time, Villa Merkel, in cooperation with the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, is presenting the graduates of the postgraduate course ‘Meisterschüler:in im Weißenhof-Programm der Bildenden Kunst’. Outstanding graduates develop and realise a project within three semesters.
Marie Zbikowska, Mutterform, 2024
Photo: Frank Kleinbach.
Meisterschüler:innen presentation 2024
9 November 2025 — 1 February 2026
Opening: Sunday, 9 November, 3 pm
Rolf Nesch (1893-1975)
Salonausstellung
From 9 November, Villa Merkel will be showing works by Oberesslingen artist Rolf Nesch from its own collection in two cabinet rooms. The exhibition follows on from the presentation ‘Prägungen und Entfaltungen. Rolf Nesch (1893-1975), Nadira Husain (*1980)’ at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart. On display are works from various creative phases of the artist, who emigrated to Norway in 1933 after the Nazi regime came to power. His art is characterised by his endeavour to merge material properties and visual design into a harmonious whole.
Rolf Nesch, Ragnhildrud, 1952
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024
6 December 2025 – January 2026
Opening: Friday, 5 December, 7 pm
Guest exhibition by Esslinger Kunstverein:
Richard Merkle
The Esslinger Kunstverein's traditional annual exhibition at Villa Merkel in 2005 is dedicated to the work of Richard Merkle (*1962 in Dachau/ † 2022 Stuttgart). As a student of Joseph Kosuth, Merkle studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and primarily produced works in the field of Minimal Art. Some of his works are now being presented in Esslingen, where he also lived and worked. The Esslinger Kunstverein is continuing its tradition and organising the guest exhibition at the turn of the year.
Curator: Christian Gögger
Richard Merkle, Picnic, 2018