Five Friends: John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly at Museum Brandhorst and Museum Ludwig (April 2025 – January 2026)

Museum Brandhorst, Munich | April 10-August 17, 2025
Museum Ludwig, Cologne | October 3, 2025-January 11, 2026

Five Friends focuses on a circle of artists who had a decisive influence on post-war art in the fields of dance, drawing, music, painting, and sculpture. John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Cy Twombly created a special connection between the artistic genres and media through their intimate exchange. With over one hundred and fifty works of art, scores, stage props, costumes, photographs, and archival materials, the joint exhibition by Museum Brandhorst and Museum Ludwig provides insight into the interplay between the five artists.

The exhibition is based on the unique collections of both museums. Museum Ludwig has the most extensive Pop Art collection outside of the United States and owns key works by Jasper Johns and Rauschenberg, while Museum Brandhorst houses a comprehensive collection of Cy Twombly’s work. In addition to the exhibition, site-specific music and dance programs will focus on the works of John Cage and Merce Cunningham.

Centennial Exhibitions

Throughout the Centennial year and beyond, exhibitions around the world will present tributes to Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008). By opening up the artist’s legacy to present-day interpretation, the Centennial embraces different understandings, forges cross-disciplinary connections, and creates opportunities for critical exchange.