In May we have an opportunity to spend a day at Tate Modern exploring one of the most eagerly awaited exhibitions of the year – Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and the Blue Rider.

This landmark show, which opens on 25 April, tells the story of an international circle of painters and creatives who came together in Germany in the early 20th century to transform modern art. And it has been a long time in the making. 

Before the pandemic, the Lenbachhaus in Munich, which houses the world’s largest collection of paintings by Kandinsky and other members of the Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) group, approached the Tate and suggested that they share the crown jewels from each other’s collections in a couple of special exhibitions. The result? Germany got its first major JMW outing in 70 years and Tate Modern is now about to open its first show of Der Blaue Reiter artists since the 1960s!

Der Blaue Reiter was a pioneering art collective that represented the pinnacle of German Expressionist painting leading up to the First World War. Formed in Munich in 1911 by the Russian émigré Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, it was a loose association of avant-garde artists, composers and musicians who shared a desire to experiment with form, colour, sound and performance. Their aim was to create art “that knows neither borders nor nations” and to pursue its spiritual dimension in an increasingly alienating and modernising world. Other artists closely involved in the group were Paul Klee, August Macke, Gabriele Münter and Marianne von Werefkin.

The first exhibition by Der Blaue Reiter, in 1911, also featured works by Robert Delaunay, Henri Rousseau, Arnold Schoenberg and Albert Bloch. The following year, the group’s main exhibition was a much larger affair, encompassing more than 30 artists, including Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Paul Klee. 

Tragically, Der Blaue Reiter was brought to an abrupt end by the First World War. Kandinsky was forced to return to his native Russia, and both Marc and Macke were killed in action. Yet though it was only short lived, Der Blaue Reiter would have an immense influence on abstract and modernist art in Europe and beyond for generations to come.

Our group tickets include tea/coffee on arrival, an illustrated lecture, a buffet lunch served exclusively for our group in the Starr Cinema Foyer and entry to the exhibition. After that, we are free to go round at our own pace and also view other parts of the Tate. On this occasion we will be travelling to London by train, rather than by coach, mainly to reduce travel time to and from central London. 

More information about the exhibition and Der Blaue Reiter is available here: 

https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/expressionists-kandinsky-munter-and-the-blue-rider

https://magazine.artland.com/the-shows-that-made-contemporary-art-history-the-first-exhibition-of-der-blaue-reiter/

Programme for the day (all times TBC):
8.55 - Train from Horsham to London Blackfriars, arriving 10.06 Exit on South Bank then short walk to Tate Modern
10.30 - Arrive TM -- Welcome tea/coffee in Starr Cinema Foyer
11.30 - 12.30 -- Illustrated lecture on main exhibition themes
12.30 - Buffet lunch served in Starr Cinema Foyer
13.30 - Enter exhibition and view it at your own pace
16.00 - Leave TM
16.24 - Return train to Horsham (alternative: 16.54)
17.42 - Arrive Horsham station (alternative: 18.12)

Cost:

£52 pp for Arts Society members

£43.50 pp for Art Pass holders

£33 pp for Tate members 

These prices include admission to exhibition, lecture, tea/coffee + buffet lunch (sandwiches, wraps, fruit platter, cakes). Please note that travel is not included.

Travel arrangements

Please note that you will be responsible for organising your own train ticket. As a guideline, the return rail fare with a Senior Rail card is £18.15, otherwise £28.00. Other options to consider are a Travelcard or a mini-group ticket. Please make sure to purchase your ticket well in advance. Members are free to stay on in London after visiting the gallery and travel back to Horsham later in the evening. If you wish to do so, let us know before the trip.