Art World Mourns the Loss of Kasper König, Legendary Curator and Educator

Kasper König, the esteemed German curator who played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art exhibitions in Germany and beyond, has passed away at the age of 80 in Berlin. König's illustrious career was marked by the founding of the Skulptur Projekte Münster in 1977, a renowned outdoor exhibition held every ten years, and his directorship at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne from 2000 to 2012, where he revitalized the institution's global reputation. Over his lifetime, König curated numerous significant exhibitions, including the Austrian pavilion at the 2003 Venice Biennale and the controversial Manifesta 10 in St. Petersburg in 2014. His influence extended beyond curation; he was also a professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy and later the rector at the Städel art school in Frankfurt. König was known for his extensive network within the art world, including connections with figures like Joseph Beuys, Sigmar Polke, and Andy Warhol. His legacy is further solidified by his art collection, with 50 works donated to the Museum Ludwig in 2023 and 400 pieces set to be auctioned this October. König is survived by his wife, artist Heidi Specker, and his four children, including art dealers Leo and Johann König.