Berlin’s Academy of Arts is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Europe and is known for its extensive art collection showcasing historical treasures from notable German artists such as Johann Gottfried Schadow, Daniel Chodowiecki and Alice Lex-Nerlinger to name a few. The Collection has a strong emphasis on works by German-speaking artists persecuted or driven into exile during the mid-1900s. Founded in 1696, the academy features a 21,000 square foot museum and exhibition area, two 700-seat auditoriums, student apartments and art studios. But it’s one virtually invisible installation that helps ensure the Academy’s art will be around for future generations, the Marioff HI-FOG® Suppression System.
With all its history and priceless works of art, the Academy relies on the HI-FOG system for protection in the event of a fire. The system is designed to both suppress and control fire using significantly less water, reducing the potential for water damage to the Academy’s historic collection and valuable art work. Marioff was chosen to modernize the museum’s fire protection as it provided a virtually unnoticeable installation.
The museum’s collection now focuses primarily on modern and contemporary art, which currently includes 1,100 individual collections, a special library of 550,000 volumes on performing arts, fine arts, literature, architecture, music, film and media art and an art collection of 60,000 objects.
The archive is one of the most important interdisciplinary collections of 20th century art. With over 1,200 bequests by artists and an extensive art collection, the Academy is a historical artifact adding to the past, present and future of art.