Berne, Switzerland.- The Kunstmuseum Berne is proud to present “Passion and Painting: Russian Art since 1970 – The Collection Arina Kowner” on view at the museum until February 12th 2012. the exhibition features works from one of the key collections of Russian contemporary art, Arina Kowner’s collection comprises over 200 works of art by 48 artists from 1970 to 2008. The focus of the collection is the period of social and political transition in the former East Bloc from 1984 to 1996, presenting an arthistorical documentation of a unique epochal change. The show is part of the series of exhibitions in Bern on Russian contemporary art. Arina Kowner, a collector based in Zurich who originally came from Russia, knew or is acquainted with many of the artists whose works she now owns. As Kowner puts it herself: “Acquiring a work of art is mostly linked to a personal encounter.”