'The Gift' explores the dynamics of architectural philanthropy

Curators Damjan Kokalevski and Łukasz Stanek are offering a glimpse at what they call ‘philanthrocapitalists’ and their architectural generosity worldwide as they unpack the notion of public buildings, shelter, and design as charity for the new exhibition, The Gift: Stories of Generosity and Violence in Architecture. 

For The Gift, Kokalevski and Stanek say they will “show how the unequal relationship between the giver and the receiver results in both generosity and violence exerted by and through architecture” using storytelling techniques. Both Munich and Germany will be examined, along with examples as far afield as Palo Alto, California, and Skopje, North Macedonia. The intent is to show the ways in which donated architecture has, in turn, impacted the broader industry with a thought as to the dynamics — both good and bad — of the gift-giving process in different cultures.

The Gift is now on view until September 29th at the Architekturmuseum der TUM in the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Germany. The University of Michigan is an exhibition partner.