Breadcrumbs

Collections & Archives

Collections & Archives

The collection and the archives contain works and documents from the 20th and 21st centuries. The special feature of the ZKM's collection activities is its focus on the electronic arts.

Discover artists and works:

The collection and the archives contain works and documents from the 20th and 21st centuries. The special feature of the ZKM's collection activities is its focus on the electronic arts. 

The video art collection is one of the largest in Europe and the computer art collection is the largest of its kind in the world. In addition, there is an extensive collection of works of electronic music.

By combining all artistic genres in one collection - from painting, sculpture, video art, performance and computer-based works to music - and the availability of numerous documents that provide a deeper insight into historical events, it becomes possible to gain a diverse perspective on 20th and 21st century art and history.

Art of the 20th and 21st century

Collection

Discover about 9,000 works of art of the 20th and 21st centuries from the ZKM collection, which was founded in 1989.

© Nam June Paik Estate; Photo © ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Photo: Steffen Harms
  1. ARCHIVES

    Under archives you will find the acquired archives of artists and scientists and the ZKM archive of past exhibitions, events and projects.

Scenocosme | Akousmaflore. Sensitive and interactive musical plants

Documentary of artworks

Duration
1:27
/system/files/field_media_video_image/2023-07/i6380_18_l12_w_gp_xl_16_scenocosme_akousmaflore_thumb.jpg

Writing the History of the Future

Exhibition

Duration
0:25
/system/files/field_media_video_image/2023-07/enbw_paik_archenoha_07_3.jpg

Dieter Jung | Between and Beyond

Exhibition

Duration
4:23
/system/files/field_media_video_image/2023-07/i6431_19_l12_a_gp_cz_dieterjung_betweenandbeyond_2.jpg

FLICK_KAi

Documentary of artworks

Duration
2:20
/system/files/field_media_video_image/2023-07/i6353_18_xxx_t_vr_cz_flick_kai_dokuwebsite.jpg

Digitality and Responsibility

Duration
1:07
/system/files/field_media_video_image/2023-07/digitalitaet_thumb.jpg
  1. LIBRARY

    The library contains about 60,000 books and digital data carriers. To this end, around 120 magazines and five newspapers are subscribed to.

Medien Kunst Netz

»Media Art Net« is a digital publication that invites you to discover the history of media art. »Media Art Net« is used worldwide by students and teachers for study and further education.

© Filmstills from Wonder Woman, 1978, Dara Birnbaum

PROJECTS

A Summary of the Projects of the Department Wissen and its Divisions Collection, Archives, Library and Research

© Lynn Hershman Leeson; Photo © ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Photo: Tobias Wootton

DIGITAL PROGRAM

A summary of the digital programs of the Department Wissen and its Collection, Archives, Library, and Research sections.

© Frank Gillette, Ira Schneider; Photo © ZKM | Center for Art and Media

PEOPLE

  1. ZKM | Karlsruhe
    Wissen – Collections, Archives and Research

    Lorenzstraße 19
    76135 Karlsruhe ​
    Germany

    Tel: +49 (0) 721/8100-2008
    Fax:  +49 (0) 721/8100-1309
    E-Mail: wissen@zkm.de 

  2. Contacts

    ZKM | Collections
    Tel: +49 (0) 721/8100-2008
    E-Mail: collections-and-archives@zkm.de

    ZKM | Archives
    Tel: +49 (0) 721/8100-1967
    E-Mail: collections-and-archives@zkm.de

    ZKM | Library
    Tel: +49 (0) 721/8100-1717
    E-Mail: bibliothek@zkm.de
    E-Mail: schriftentausch@zkm.de

    Image Requests
    Tel: +49 (0) 721/8100-1967
    E-Mail: image-request@zkm.de

Footer

ZKM | Center for Art and Media

Lorenzstraße 19
76135 Karlsruhe

+49 (0) 721 - 8100 - 1200
info@zkm.de

Organization

Dialog