The 1980s saw the beginnings of a collection that showcases paper as a highly versatile and variable material in all its manifestations. Today, the Kunst auf Papier collection at Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders in the “paper town” of Bergisch Gladbach comprises roughly 500 works by internationally renowned artists such as Mary Bauermeister, John Cage, Christo, Hanne Darboven, Jenny Holzer, Imi Knoebel, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Mimmo Rotella, Reiner Ruthenbeck, Günter Uecker, and Herbert Zangs.

With its specialized focus and ambitious scope, this unique collection shines a light on the seemingly endless possibilities of shaping and transforming paper, using a plethora of artistic techniques such as tearing, cutting, crumpling, gluing, folding, layering, etc. Its comprehensive approach goes far beyond the specific theme of paper and paints an impressive picture of contemporary art in all its heterogeneity.

This publication is conceived as a sort of album that explores the collection from different perspectives. The result is a polyphonic compilation of texts and images that uses repetitions and cross-references to spotlight individual works in varying contexts.