The Basle architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are among the most sought-after architects worldwide. During their 25-year activity, they have created more than 250 buildings across the world, ranging from residential buildings to a factory, from a locomotive depot to a university library. The remodeling of the London Bankside Power Station to form the Tate Modern gave them world renown in the year 2000. The architects renewed their reputation as masters of extraordinary presentations with the construction of the new football stadium in Munich, the Allianz Arena. Art gallery Haus der Kunst is using the coming event of the Football World Cup in order to stage a retrospective of work produced by Herzog & de Meuron. The exhibition will travel there from the Tate Modern London, and it will be supported by the visitor program "Talks & Tours" created by the Allianz Kulturstiftung during the World Cup 2006. The central focus of the exhibition will be the Allianz Arena, its design, development and construction.

International cultural figures, architects, designers, artists and gallery owners will present their own perspectives on architecture in "Talks & Tours" and explain the role of the football stadium in the context of the exhibition. The purpose is not to provide classic didactic communication in the form of a tour. This is much more about the perspective of the speakers, their ideas, inspirations and spontaneous associations. Each rendition of "Talks & Tours" is intended to give a very personal slant on the exhibition and thereby provide visitors with new insights into the exhibits.

Project framework: May 12 - July 30, 2006 (in parallel to the Football World Cup 2006). Exhibition: May 12 - July 30, 2006

Project venue: Haus der Kunst, Munich. Project partners: Haus der Kunst, München, Schaulager Basel, Büro Herzog & de Meuron, Basel