News

2025-01-31
Ingeborg Lüscher receives this year's Hans Platschek Prize at art karlsruhe 2025

Ingeborg Lüscher will receive the prize at the award ceremony on 20 February 2025 at 5 pm in Hall 3 of art karlsruhe.

The prizewinner Ingeborg Lüscher.
This year's Hans Platschek Award winner Ingeborg Lüscher. (Credit: Ingeborg Lüscher/Hans Plaschek Foundation)

Lüscher and Platschek - two artists with dual talents

Lüscher, who was born in Saxony in 1936 and initially studied drama and psychology, did not devote herself to the visual arts until the 1970s. Her photo documentation of Armand Schulthess' work was exhibited at the documenta in Kassel in 1972. In the meantime, her art has expanded to include film, painting and sculpture.

Work illustration Sulphur, glue, sawdust, plaster and wood
Sulphur, glue, sawdust, plaster and wood. (Credit: Ingeborg Lüscher/Hans Platschek Preis)

Lüscher uses organic materials in her works and has been using sulphur in particular since the mid-1980s, often contrasting its yellow colour with a black obtained from ash and acrylic. As a result, she creates pictures of dialectical origin that testify to both a poetically charged and a radical attitude. In addition to her visual art, Lüscher is also active in literature. She shares this dual talent with Hans Platschek.

About the juror

Lüscher was selected by Bettina Steinbrügge, General Director of the Mudam Luxembourg - Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, who has been on the board of the Hamburg-based Platschek Foundation since 2017. Steinbrügge was appointed as this year's solo juror for the prize by the foundation's board.

About the Hans Platschek Foundation

The Hans Platschek Foundation, founded by Kurt Groenewold in 2005, has been awarding the Hans Platschek Prize for Art and Writing at art karlsruhe every year since 2008. The aim of the foundation is to promote dialogue with contemporary visual art and to support Platschek's visual and critical work. The painter and writer, who was born in Berlin in 1923 and died in Hamburg in 2000, is one of the artists who strongly influenced art in Germany after 1945. Platschek, who fled Nazi Germany with his family to South America as a teenager, only returned to Europe in the 1950s. Platschek's paintings as well as his books and essays were a regular source of debate and discussion.

2024-12-06
art karlsruhe 2025: 187 galleries from 16 countries, growth from the Rhineland

The exhibiting galleries, almost 30 percent of which are traveling from near and far abroad, will show the spectrum of artistic perspectives in four halls - from Classical Modernism to Concrete Art and Pop Art to Contemporary Art. The conceptual changes under the dual leadership of Olga Blaß and Kristian Jarmuschek, which will be further developed in 2025, are confirmed by returning galleries and have aroused the curiosity of new exhibitors, many from the Rhineland.

From Classical Modernism to Pop Art: art karlsruhe's big names

Classical Modernism is an essential component of art karlsruhe. Around two dozen of the 180 or so exhibitors are planning to show works of classical modernism. Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Lyonel Feininger, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso are among the classics most frequently represented. Galleries such as Jeanne (Munich), Koch (Hanover), Koch-Westenhoff (Lübeck), Ludorff (Düsseldorf), Raphael (Frankfurt am Main), Rudolf (Kampen/Sylt), Schwarzer (Düsseldorf) and Rotermund (Hamburg) will surprise visitors with carefully selected paintings by George Braque, Otto Dix, Max Ernst, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, August Macke, Henri Matisse, Emil Nolde and others. Internationally, Cortina (Barcelona), De Zutter (Knokke), Gilden's Art (London), Kroken (Höganäs), Mollbrinks Gallery (Uppsala), Schanewald (Toulouse) and WOS (Zurich) strengthen the offer in the field of classical modernism.

Five galleries alone are taking the 30th anniversary of the death of American painter Sam Francis as an opportunity to present the American artist's colour-intensive compositions, some of which are influenced by Claude Monet. Galleries such as Luzán (Berlin) and Schlichtenmaier (Grafenau) are also showing works by the Stuttgart artist to mark the 70th anniversary of Willi Baumeister's death.

Works by the soon-to-be 85-year-old Imi Knöbel will be shown by four galleries alone (including Edouard Simoens, Knokke/Belgium and Fetzer, Sontheim). The ZERO artists Heinz Mack and Günther Uecker are also strongly represented, demonstrating the continuing interest in the art of the late 1950s and early 60s. More austere, minimalist works can be found at galleries such as Bender (Munich), Geiger (Constance), Koch (Hanover), Luzán (Berlin), Roy (Felanitx/Mallorca), Heike Strelow (Frankfurt am Main) and van der Koelen (Mainz/Venice).

Important protagonists of American Pop Art such as Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann can be found at Benden & Ackermann (Düsseldorf) and Cortina (Barcelona).

Growth from the Rhineland: contemporary and modern art

art karlsruhe is looking forward to new support from the Rhineland in the coming year. Following their appearance at art karlsruhe 2024, Cosar and Petra Rinck (both Düsseldorf) will now be accompanied by Thomas Rehbein, Martin Kudlek, Anke Schmidt (all Cologne) and Setareh (Düsseldorf). Galerie Löhrl (Mönchengladbach) is also returning to Karlsruhe this year. Internationally active galleries complement the portfolio of art karlsruhe with their high-quality program of contemporary and contemporary art.

Among the new additions to the upcoming edition are ASPN from Leipzig, whose gallery owner Arne Linde joined the art karlsruhe advisory board this year, and the Berlin gallery Taubert Contemporary.

After their debut in 2024, the galleries Nanna Preußners (Hamburg) and Galerie Schlieder (Frankfurt) are also taking part in art karlsruhe again. The latest positions can be discovered at the new:comer galleries Laetitia Gorsy from Leipzig and PAW from Karlsruhe, among others. The spectrum of galleries from Karlsruhe includes Meyer Riegger, Burster and Yvonne Hohner.

The “friends” format is also well received once again. In 2025, ten galleries will present themselves together on a stand with a befriended gallery. The Cologne gallery Martin Kudlek has invited the London gallery Patrick Heide, the DavisKlemmGallery (Wiesbaden) is bringing the Micheko Gallery (Munich), and Sievi (Berlin) is bringing the BBA Gallery, also based in Berlin.

Sculptures at art karlsruhe

Since the first edition, sculpture spaces have been a focal point at art karlsruhe - 10 x 10 m areas where sculptors are presented on a larger scale. In 2025, a total of 18 galleries in Halls 1, 2 and the dm-arena will occupy one of the sculpture spaces. Galerie Eric Mouchet from Paris is planning a particularly elaborate sculpture project this year.

Constructive balancing acts by Jörg Wiele (Schrade, Mochental) can be found alongside wooden constructions by Stephan Wurmer (Fenna Wehlau, Munich) and car sculptures by Stephan Rohrer (Scheffel, Bad Homburg), which are reminiscent of oversized blasting drawings. From these 18 positions, an independent jury will select the winner of the Loth Skulpturenplatzpreis - donated by L-Bank - which, in addition to prize money of 20,000 euros shared by the artist and gallery owner, also includes an original work of art by the Karlsruhe sculptor from his estate. Since last year, the sculpture spots have enlivened the hall aisles and given the galleries the opportunity to draw attention to compelling individual positions. These include artists such as Andreas Blank, Matthias Dämpfle, Christiane Erdmann and Joachim Röderer.

Galleries such as Berengo (Venice) and Geißler-Bentler (Bonn) are presenting sculptures by artists such as Ai Weiwei, Tony Cragg, Stephan Balkenhol and Joana Vasconcelos, as well as Erwin Wurm and the recently deceased Daniel Spoerri.

The high-caliber field of participants promises an outstanding start to the new art fair year 2025 with its dialogical composition typical of art karlsruhe.

art-karlsruhe.en, facebook.com/artkarlsruhe, instagram.com/art_karlsruhe, art-karlsruhe.de/linkedin.

2024-11-25
art karlsruhe with a new corporate design: more lively, more concise, versatile

Similar to the successful reorientation of the fair this year under the preamble ‘Evolution instead of Revolution’, it now presents itself with a completely renewed appearance. Together with Independent Collectors, a well-known agency in the art scene, we discussed colours, logo, font, visual language and design elements and developed a holistic corporate design that works across all communication channels.

After the conceptual reorientation of art karlsruhe 2024 under the new dual leadership of project manager Olga Blaß and advisory board chairman Kristian Jarmuschek was very well received, this further development is now also reflected visually. In this sense, art karlsruhe is building on its proven origins and yet breaking new ground: ‘art karlsruhe is based on a solid foundation that has developed over 20 years,’ says Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe. ‘It is important to us to remain true to this heritage - without losing sight of the future. We want to build on our strengths and at the same time be on the move and curious about what is to come. The new corporate design perfectly reflects this mindset.’ Kristian Jarmuschek adds: ‘With our new visual identity, we are giving art karlsruhe a visual identity that emphasises and reflects our further development in terms of content.’

Keep moving - also in terms of design

The renewed visual identity was developed in collaboration with the Berlin design agency Independent Collectors in a development process involving lively dialogue with art market players, accompanied by the art karlsruhe advisory board and a careful selection process. It reflects what art, and therefore art karlsruhe, can do: Arouse curiosity, stimulate and inspire. ‘After 20 years under a striking red and yellow flag - the colours of Baden - these same colours will in future form the bracket around a colour gradient that symbolises a timeline “from classical modernism to contemporary art” on the one hand, but also stands for the transformation of art karlsruhe and can continue to develop with it on the other,’ explains project manager Olga Blaß. "The brand colours are complemented by a text logo that can respond in format and colour to all the requirements of today's, mostly digital, world. A blur effect, which we will always experience differently, alerts us to take a closer look, perhaps even to take a step back or move closer in order to change our perspective, just as we do when looking at art.’ The newly developed font appears modern and clear, but at the same time high-quality and elegant. Whether for classic media, brochures, websites or other digital media - the new corporate design will now appear everywhere art karlsruhe is visible.

art-karlsruhe.de as well as on our social media channels facebook.com/artkarlsruhe, instagram.com/art_karlsruhe and art-karlsruhe.de/linkedin

The new logo of art karlsruhe.
2024-08-19
Arne Linde new member of the art KARLSRUHE advisory board
Fotocredits Sophia Kesting, VG Bildkunst Bonn, 2024
Fotocredits Sophia Kesting, VG Bildkunst Bonn, 2024

The Karlsruhe art fair is thus gaining a respected expert on the international art scene. “Arne is committed and successful in the art world. Her expertise as an internationally networked gallery owner is a real asset for us!” says Kristian Jarmuschek, Chairman of the Advisory Board of art KARLSRUHE. Arne Linde founded the renowned ASPN gallery in Leipzig around 20 years ago and has managed it with expertise and vision ever since. “I am very much looking forward to being able to help shape the new departure of art KARLSRUHE as a new member of the Advisory Board,” says the gallery owner. “Karlsruhe has tremendous potential for further development and now is the ideal time for renewal! Global networks and the art market are currently undergoing transformation - new impulses can unleash a lot of energy and momentum!”

In her gallery ASPN, Arne Linde shows young and recent positions in contemporary art. Social issues, participation, queerness, feminism and democracy play a key role in the program. As a native of Wuppertal who has lived in Leipzig for 20 years, her attention is always focused on German-German history and the present.

2024-06-26
art KARLSRUHE Friends and Sponsors premiere a complete success: art auction secures five-figure sum for the Parkinson's Foundation
art karlsruhe

77,800.00 euros - that is the impressive result of the first benefit auction organized by the Friends and Sponsors of art KARLSRUHE in cooperation with Messe Karlsruhe. Dynamic, rousing and entertaining, the evening's auctioneer, Kristian Jarmuschek, succeeded in making numerous arms jump up in the packed auction room. A total of 50 works of art were auctioned off at the Konzerthaus in Karlsruhe, achieving a proud total result of 77,800.00 euros. "Together with our guests, we were able to spend a wonderful evening in the special ambience of the Konzerthaus, where top-class, selected works of art from the art KARLSRUHE galleries were shown to an enthusiastic audience, accompanied by good music, exquisite wines, food and good conversation," says Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe and Chairwoman of the Board of the Friends and Sponsors of art KARLSRUHE. "But the most important thing for us is that we were able to achieve a fantastic result with our charity art auction and thus actively support the Parkinson's Foundation."

TV legend Frank Elstner thanks personally

art karlsruhe
TV legend Frank Elstner in conversation with Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe and presenter Max Moor.

Frank Elstner, who has been an ambassador for the Parkinson's Foundation for several years, was more than pleased with the successful evening, which he accompanied on site: "Being here today is a very special occasion for me and a wonderful combination," he says. "This event brings people interested in art to an auction in the hope that a lot of money will be raised to support research and science that cannot yet cure Parkinson's, but is well on the way to treating it in the next few years." Around 400,000 people in Germany suffer from Parkinson's, and the disease still has no cure. The Parkinson's Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by the German Society for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, has set itself the task of providing information about the disease and promoting research into possible forms of therapy.

Generous support from the galleries and top-class works of art

art Karlsruhe
Kristian Jarmuschek, the evening's auctioneer, accepts the next bid.

The well-known television presenter Max Moor, who hosted the evening, welcomed around 180 guests who were impressed by the works to be auctioned. Works by artists such as Christopher Lehmpfuhl, Willi Siber, Johanna Wagner, Gretel Haas-Gerber and Carlo Krone, winner of this year's art KARLSRUHE prize, went under the hammer. "We are very grateful to our galleries for the exquisite selection of artworks," says Kristian Jarmuschek, auction director of the evening and chairman of the art KARLSRUHE advisory board. "Together with the members of the Support association, we have not only been able to serve a purpose that is meaningful for all of us with our benefit auction, but have also fulfilled our mission of promoting art in the best possible way. To the delight of the young artists, the Förderverein was also able to bring a work by the Kunstpädagogische Kinder- und Jugendarbeit Durlach under the hammer. We can now build on this success across the board, which was only possible thanks to the commitment of numerous sponsors, and look forward to further events of this kind."

Further information: art-karlsruhe.de, facebook.com/artkarlsruhe, instagram.com/art_karlsruhe, linkedin.com/artkarlsruhe

2024-06-12
Friends and supporters of art KARLSRUHE invite you to the Midsummer auction in aid of the Parkinson's Foundation

Auctioning art and doing good: this is the motto under which the Verein der Förderer und Freunde der art KARLSRUHE, in cooperation with Messe Karlsruhe, is inviting you to its first charity auction in aid of the Parkinson's Foundation at the Konzerthaus in Karlsruhe on 21 June 2024. Kristian Jarmuschek, Chairman of the art KARLSRUHE Advisory Board, will be the evening's auctioneer and will conduct the auctions of the 50 or so works provided by the art KARLSRUHE galleries. 50 per cent of the ‘hammer price’ will go to the Parkinson's Foundation and 50 per cent to the respective artists.

‘Buying art and doing good - for me, there is hardly a better reason to come together with our guests,’ says Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe and Chairwoman of the Board of the Friends and Sponsors of art KARLSRUHE. "As a support association, our central concern is to promote art and culture and to create visibility for art in the public eye. We are all the more pleased that we are also serving a good cause for the Parkinson's Foundation today."

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Prominent guests get involved with the Parkinson's Foundation

Abstract image of a piano
Marion Eichmann / Galerie Tammen

A real highlight of the evening: Frank Elstner, ambassador for the Parkinson's Foundation, will be on hand to accompany and support the evening. ‘I am already looking forward to an exciting evening at the Konzerthaus Karlsruhe,’ says the well-known presenter. ‘On this evening, art can help to cure Parkinson's - and I would be delighted if many guests bid and support the Parkinson's Foundation in its research projects.’ Around 400,000 people in Germany suffer from Parkinson's disease, and there is still no cure. The Parkinson's Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by the German Society for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, has set itself the task of providing information about the disease and promoting research into possible forms of therapy.

‘To the first, to the second and to the third...’

Abstract image of a bird
Julian Opie / Davis Klemm Gallery

Anyone wishing to bid can already secure a bidding card online. The 50 or so works to be auctioned can be viewed from 6 p.m. - at 7.30 p.m. it will then be time for ‘first, second and third...’. Each item starts with a starting bid of EUR 100 and the highest bidder wins. Works by artists such as Christopher Lehmpfuhl, Marion Eichmann, Gretel Haas-Gerber and Carlo Krone, winner of this year's art KARLSRUHE prize, will go under the hammer. ‘Our galleries have provided us with an exquisite selection of works for this special evening,’ says auction manager Kristian Jarmuschek. "We are looking forward to a successful auction that will hopefully raise a handsome sum for the Parkinson's Foundation. The fact that we can do good and support artists at the same time with an evening organised jointly by the members of the support association confirms us in this midsummer event in the beautiful ambience of the concert hall."

2024-02-25
art KARLSRUHE 2024: An expansive new departure

"I see a real departure here," summarises the world-famous artist and loyal visitor to the fair Markus Lüpertz. On the preview day, the hand-picked audience of art connoisseurs and gallery owners was already enthusiastic about the conceptual reorganisation under the new management, which has made the strengths of the fair tangible again. Around 47,000 visitors confirmed this initial positive response over the course of the fair.

"There is a unique spirit at art KARLSRUHE this year," says fair director Britta Wirtz. "And this is not only noticeable here, but also far beyond the exhibition centre. The fundamentally high quality of our exhibitors and the new concept are the perfect starting point on the way to becoming the place to be for the art scene in Europe."

Focussed on strengths and ready to provide impetus

With a broad spectrum of artistic creation, art KARLSRUHE offers art lovers an unrivalled collection of works - from classical modernism to post-war modernism and contemporary art. This inspiring interplay is unique in Karlsruhe and forms the basis for innovations that build on the fair's existing strengths. "We receive consistently positive feedback from our galleries," summarise project manager Olga Blaß and advisory board chairman Kristian Jarmuschek. "We are also particularly proud that relevant galleries that had cancelled previous art KARLSRUHE editions have now returned to us because they find our new concept so convincing." For example, the renowned gallery Henze & Ketterer: "The fact that classical modernism has come to Hall 1 was the deciding factor for us to come back to art," explains Dr Alexandra Henze. "My overall impression is that the fair is very appealing, the quality has increased in recent years and the visitors are very well informed. The discussions are really fun." New exhibitors are also finding the reorganisation of the fair positive: "This is our first time at art KARLSRUHE," says Michael Cosar from Galerie Cosar. "We had visitors to our stand throughout, numerous interested people and positive discussions, including some successful deals. We are therefore very satisfied."

Manuel Ludorff from Galerie Ludorff in Düsseldorf emphasises the high sales figures in particular: "Despite a market environment with economic challenges, the response here at art KARLSRUHE was very good. We have met very important and relevant collectors - the basic prerequisite for sales, especially in the high-price segment. For example, we have just sold a watercolour by Lyonel Feininger for 120,000 euros and have reserved works worth half a million euros to date. We were also able to sell all the paintings we had brought from the artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl, for example. As almost every year, things went extremely well for us at art KARLSRUHE."

The prince of painters Markus Lüpertz also praised the further development of the fair: "I've already discovered great colour application and good painting and I'm excited to see where the path will lead. The new structure is noticeable and I am particularly interested in the young art, because the newcomers in particular bring welcome excitement and life to the fair. I see a real awakening here!"

Overwhelming response to new format re:discover

"re:discover" - a format that makes artists visible again who quite wrongly do not have the attention of the art market - was very well received. With funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and together with the Federal Association of German Galleries and Art Dealers (BVDG), art KARLSRUHE placed a special emphasis on artists who, despite the high artistic quality of their work, do not receive the attention they deserve. A total of 20 positions could be discovered in the gallery booths. "I am delighted with the re:discover programme," says Imke Valentien from Galerie Imke Valentien. "It's a great idea as a concept for the art market, but also for the artists. And it was an impulse from the BVDG to establish this concept at art KARLSRUHE."

Close ties with the regional economy and urban society

Numerous players from business and culture used the inspiring setting of the fair to network and exchange ideas. "More companies, networks, institutions and associations than ever before used the prestige of art KARLSRUHE this year as a showcase for meetings with their customers, partners and members," says Britta Wirtz. "We are of course delighted to welcome all regional and national players from the business world who choose our fair for their receptions and get-togethers."

With its important cultural institutions, a lively art scene and as a "UNESCO City of Media Arts", the fan-shaped city is predestined to make art KARLSRUHE a tangible part of city life. This took shape, for example, in project spaces and off-spaces with a sophisticated programme entitled "Kunstrauschen", where experiential spaces opened up for those interested in the art scene. "art KARLSRUHE is a testament to artistic roots in the city and region," says Olga Blass. "Together with the stakeholders of the art scene, we have realised new beginnings that will experience real development in the future." This offer was optimally reflected by the highlight "Forum Karlsruhe" in Hall 3, where a symbiosis of partnership was created that placed Karlsruhe's brand essence, media art, at the centre. In addition to works from the archive of the Centre for Art and Media (ZKM), the next generation of media artists from the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG) presented themselves for the first time with four of their own works and the scenographic design of the space.

The next art KARLSRUHE will take place from 20 to 23 February 2025.

2024-02-23
The Loth sculpture prize sponsored by L-Bank goes to Andreas Blank and the Art Affair gallery

This year's Loth Prize for Sculpture has been awarded to the Art Affair gallery in Regensburg and its artist Andreas Blank. The prize, worth €20,000 and supported by L-Bank, was awarded for the first time in 2018. It rewards both a sculptor and the gallery that presents him or her at one of the 21 KARLSRUHE art sculpture locations.

The jury justified its decision as follows: "Here is a sculptor at work who places us at the heart of his artistic conception of our real world and its social conditions. Where does the irony lead the viewer, the consumer of these tableaux of thought, into a thought-provoking learning process?"

Galerie Art Affair / Andreas Blank
Galerie Art Affair / Andreas Blank Credit: Carlotta Roob

Blank takes his inspiration from everyday objects: heavy leather boots, shirts neatly folded into large briefcases, and even detergent bottles. Unexpectedly, however, they are as cumbersome and impractical as they are heavy, because they are not made of leather, fabric or plastic, but of marble, alabaster and porphyry. In this way, Andreas Blank is perfectly in tune with the art of trompe l'oeil, which was mastered in the Baroque period, but which today's artists are happy to take up again. In the jury's motivation, we read: "Blank's objects are both 'precious stones' and stumbling blocks. Thanks to the artist's intellectual and practical intervention, the tension between nature/stone and culture/object has given rise to objects that he combines with sculptures to form a convincing installation".

Andreas Blank, born in 1976 in Ansbach, studied at the Karlsruher Kunstakademie and the HBK Hamburg, as well as at the Royal College of Art in London. He has been exhibiting internationally since 2012 and has received numerous awards. He was awarded a scholarship from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes in 2005 and 2008, and was last honoured by the Kunstfonds Bonn foundation in 2022.

Hans Platschek Prize for Art and Writing awarded to Paula Doepfner

On the opening Thursday, the Hans Platschek Prize was awarded to Paula Doepfner. The laudator was Marion Ackermann, General Director of the National Art Collections in Dresden, who had nominated the artist on behalf of the Platschek Foundation. Rebecca Horn's pupil, who lives and works in Berlin, is "impressively up-to-date". Her writing is filigree and linear, yet extraordinarily serious, influenced by the literary work of writers such as Robert Musil and Paul Celan.

The 16th Karlsruhe Art Prize goes to Carlo Krone and Galerie Fuchs

The 16th Karlsruhe art prize, awarded for the first time at the opening ceremony, was awarded this year to the artist Carlo Krone and the Thomas Fuchs gallery. The €15,000 prize is awarded jointly by the Land of Baden-Württemberg and the city, and is used to purchase works from the artist's One Artist Show presented by the gallery. This year, 79 One Artist Shows will be presented at the fair. The work(s) purchased will join the art KARLSRUHE collection of the Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe.

Carlo Krone, represented by Thomas Fuchs Gallery in Stuttgart, has been studying with Professor Thomas Bechinger at the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart since 2019. In his paintings, he takes everyday life as his theme, but twists it with a healthy dose of artistic freedom to give it the character of archetypes of our times.

2024-02-22
Successful start: art KARLSRUHE opens with a new concept
art-KARLSRUHE-Preis

Much is new, some things are different, but the tried and tested has remained: This year's art KARLSRUHE welcomed art lovers to the light-flooded halls of the trade fair centre with a successful opening ceremony. The highlight of the opening was the presentation of the 16th art KARLSRUHE Prize, which honours a gallerist and artist of a one-artist show in a double pack and was awarded for the first time during the opening. Galerie Thomas Fuchs and its artist Carlo Krone are honouring a promising young artist from Stuttgart, whose paintings focus on everyday life, alienating it visually and in terms of content, yet evoking an almost nostalgic familiarity in their recognisability. The prize money of 15,000 euros will be used to purchase works from the presentation shown at the fair, which will become part of the art KARLSRUHE Collection at the Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe.

Gallery owner Thomas Fuchs is not only delighted about being honoured with the art KARLSRUHE prize, but also about an all-round successful start to the fair. "By the end of yesterday's preview day, we had already sold several works - including an impressive 16 paintings from our award-winning one-artist show with Carlo Krone," says Fuchs.

His gallery colleagues were also enthusiastic about the successful preview day on Wednesday and praised the revised concepts and the restructuring of the halls. The sculpture spaces enclosed in this scheme and the upgrading of the perimeters with the sculpture spots also ensured very relaxed visitors, who strolled through the aisles, admired art and made their first purchases, but also found time to chat. "We really enjoyed the preview day, as we had successful deals and felt this unique spirit here," says Andreas Herrmann, owner of Mianki.Gallery from Berlin. "It was important for all of us to see the direction in which art KARLSRUHE is developing, especially in terms of its future viability. That's why the consistently positive feedback and the incredibly high quality fulfil us with great pleasure. Our guests thank us for the invitation and they really enjoy walking through the fair. We are thrilled by this response, which shows an intensity that we have rarely experienced. We now hope that we can build on today's success and that the mood of today will continue in the coming days."

The new concept has been well received by the galleries and visitors alike.

New dual leadership concept impresses gallery owners and visitors

Over the past nine months, the new dual leadership of project manager Olga Blaß and art KARLSRUHE advisory board chairman Kristian Jarmuschek have set themselves the goal of further developing the concept of art KARLSRUHE without losing sight of its strengths. Thus, the galleries cover 120 years of art history from classical modernism to contemporary art and also give sculpture the attention it deserves. With a new hall structure and a customised selection of exhibiting galleries, newer concepts are also implemented. Young art in particular will find space here: "The common goal with our galleries is and remains to constantly develop art KARLSRUHE further and to give everyone with a passion for art access to the art world," says fair director Britta Wirtz. "With both our established and new formats, we promote art education and offer galleries from all over the world a valuable platform on which a broad spectrum of 120 years of art is presented. This enables us to appeal to both experienced collectors and newcomers to the art market." One of these new formats is the Academy Square in the dm-arena. Here, curated by Monopol editor-in-chief Elke Buhr, a total of 14 promising graduates from the Karlsruhe and Stuttgart art academies and the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design will be shown.

Numerous new galleries have been acquired for the new formats, many of which are looking forward to the friendly exchange with national and international colleagues. Nadja Thiel from Galerie Cosar says: "This is our first time here in Karlsruhe and we feel very comfortable at our location. We have known and appreciated Galerie Meyer Riegger for a long time and are delighted about this neighbourhood." The newly introduced "Friends" format also contributes to these connections, as young galleries can present themselves at the stand of an established gallery. A total of seven gallery owners have taken advantage of this opportunity to offer a platform to often very young artists. Two galleries from Karlsruhe are also taking part in this way: Michael Oess is offering the Spanish Pigment Gallery an exhibition space, which is also being used by the young Spanish sculptor Juan Miguel Quinon with his ice "sculptures" made using traditional craft techniques.

A city characterised by art

With its numerous cultural institutions, Karlsruhe's reputation as a city of art and culture has always preceded it. "Once again this year, the fan-shaped city is honouring its reputation as a city of art and culture with art KARLSRUHE - far beyond the regional borders," says Britta Wirtz. "As the first and so far only German city to bear the title "UNESCO City of Media Arts", it goes without saying that the whole of Karlsruhe is currently dedicated to art: with numerous committed partners and municipal art and cultural institutions, this year we are interweaving ourselves more than ever with the players in the city and offering a unique insight into the local art scene."

The project spaces and Off Spaces have put together a sophisticated programme especially for art KARLSRUHE under the title "Kunstrauschen", which will be made accessible to all those trade fair visitors who are still in the mood for contemporary art after the exhibition halls close on Friday evening with a trade fair shuttle. This perfectly complements the "Forum Karlsruhe" in Hall 4, where the UNESCO City of Media Arts, the Karlsruhe museums and the two art academies will be presenting themselves.

After art party in the Hallenbau

art KARLSRUHE meets Hallenbau: If you're still in the mood to celebrate after the opening of art KARLSRUHE, you can round off the evening with drinks, snacks and live music in the ZKM foyer in the Hallenbau: After a "Get together" for invited guests of the fair and the institutions at 7 pm, the After art Party will follow from 9 pm with DJ sets by deepthought and Caligo. Admission is free of charge.

2024-02-21
art KARLSRUHE begins: Highlights at the fair and in the city

177 galleries, exhibiting museums, institutions, art academies, associations and media as well as partners from the urban environment are eagerly awaiting the opening of art KARLSRUHE tomorrow. The numerous innovations in store for the 21st edition of the fair are already generating lively interest and anticipation among all those involved, as well as a great deal of media attention. The Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe, Britta Wirtz, is also looking forward to the coming days of the fair: "In the past nine months, we have initiated many new things, building on the convincing strengths of art KARLSRUHE. This has been well received by the market. I am particularly proud that we have succeeded in bringing the art fair more into the city. Thanks to the numerous, committed partners, municipal art and cultural institutions, we can offer a broadly diversified programme and additional offers to our out-of-town guests as well as interested parties from the region."

Opening and awarding of the art KARLSRUHE Prize

For the first time, the 16th art KARLSRUHE Prize will be awarded to a One Artist Show dedicated by a gallery to one of its artists during the official opening at 5 pm in the Aktionshalle. The 15,000 euro prize is jointly organised by the state of Baden-Württemberg and the city of Karlsruhe.

New structure in the halls

Conceptual adjustments and a focussing of the fair have led to a new structure in the halls, which offers visitors better orientation.

In future, 120 years of art history will begin at art KARLSRUHE in Hall 1 - entitled "Classical Modernism and Contemporary Art" - where the museum quality of the works shown by the exhibitors can be experienced in particular. Together with the high-calibre post-war modernism in Hall 2 - "Art after 1945 and Contemporary Art" - they will convey a comprehensive impression of the diversity and innovative potential of these eras. Positions of contemporary art are combined in a dialogue. This inspiring interplay is unique in Karlsruhe.

The spatial arrangement of the halls is followed by Hall 3 - "Artication" - in which art and education are combined. Here you will find the new "Paper Square" format (a further development of the special show Printmaking) for works with the artistic medium of paper. Under the title "Nature - Beauty and Destruction", LBBW is presenting parts of its art collection as part of this year's special exhibition. The "Academy Square", supported by LBBW and curated by Elke Buhr (editor-in-chief of Monopol), offers current graduates of Baden-Württemberg art academies a new platform at the fair. In addition to the Forum Karlsruhe, a large number of cultural institutions, art academies and art associations from the region and beyond will be presenting themselves in the hall.

The dm-arena, Hall 4 in the counting sequence, is entitled "Discover". It is dedicated to contemporary art.

re:discover - Strengthening female artists in the market and unjustly forgotten artistic positions

In cooperation with the Bundesverband Deutscher Galerien und Kunsthändler e.V. (BVDG) and with the support of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), the upcoming art KARLSRUHE is placing a special emphasis on artists who, despite the high artistic quality of their work, do not (yet) receive the attention they deserve. With the new format re:discover, more space will be given to the current and art-historical significance of artists. Galleries participating in the programme will receive 25 square metres free of charge for the presentation of an artist. This year, a total of 20 positions will be rediscovered in the gallery booths through re:discover. The ARTIMA art meeting on 23 and 24 February is dedicated to the topic of re:discover, such as "How to keep artistic heritage alive in a museum context" or "How to deal with estates: What happens after the death of artists to those works that are not purchased by museums or collections?"

Talks on art

In addition to the ARTIMA art meeting on Thursday, 22 February and Friday, 23 February, there will be the SWR Kultur Messetalk every day. For example, the painter Mona Ardeleanu will be talking to presenter Dietrich Brants on Thursday 22 February about her work, which often reproduces patterns from Delft porcelain in the form of textile fabric. Everything in her paintings appears realistic; but none of it is. On Friday, 23 February, Dietrich Brants will be talking to Munich gallery owner Renate Bender, whose gallery programme ensures that Concrete Art remains contemporary art.

And on Saturday, 24 February, and Sunday, 25 February, the LBBW Talks will take place in cooperation with the magazine MONOPOL and the MONOPOL Talks. Among others, Silke Hohmann from MONOPOL will be talking to the artist Julius vom Bismarck, whose works can also be seen in the special LBBW exhibition on site, and the artist duo Super Vivaz, whose works will be shown at Academay Square. On Sunday, the traditional fair summary will be held for the first time with the new management duo Olga Blaß and Kristian Jarmuschek.

Sculpture spots bring even more "large-format" works into the halls

Since the first edition, art KARSLRUHE has been characterised by its expansive sculpture spots. Supported by the Vollack Group, numerous outdoor sculptures can be experienced in the sculpture garden (atrium). New additions are the sculpture spots, also supported by the Vollack Group, which provide space for viewing 23 three-dimensional works in the visitor walkway and in the action hall. The special commitment to sculpture is also reflected in the fifth presentation of the Loth Sculpture Prize with partner L-Bank.

For example, Galerie Heike Strelow, Frankfurt, will be there with Alejandro Monge's sculpture "SHIBUYA 2" from 2023 and Galerie Chiefs & Spirits, London, with the sculpture "The Space Between" by artist Piet Warffemius from 2022. Galerie ARTAFFAIR, Regensburg, is also bringing along a work for a sculpture spot: the bronze "Atlas" by Markus Lüpertz.

Karlsruhe Forum

Art, culture, media art and creativity will once again enter into a symbiotic partnership and merge during art KARLSRUHE into a marketplace of artistic creation under the label "Forum Karlsruhe" in Hall 3. Media art is the focus of the Forum as one of the brand cores of Karlsruhe, the UNESCO City of Media Arts. In addition to works from the archive of the Centre for Art and Media (ZKM), the next generation of media artists from the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG) will be presenting four of their own works and the scenographic design of the space for the first time.

From party to project space

During art KARLSRUHE, the cultural scene in the city also really gets going. So it doesn't have to end when the fair closes.

artini is the name of the temporary bar that opens daily from 5 p.m. to midnight at Kaiserstrasse 120, where people talk about art and the art business, art from various networks is exhibited and changing DJs perform sets.

On 22 February there will be a party in the foyer of the ZKM in the Hallenbau on Lorenzstraße. It starts at 9.00 pm and the dancing goes on until 1.00 am. Admission is free.

The long night of project spaces on Friday 23 February from 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm will be presented under the heading "Kunstrauschen". Following the exhibition programme, visitors can explore the city and the local art scene away from established galleries. Karlsruhe has an incredible wealth of project spaces and off-spaces that have been an important part of the city's cultural life for decades. Whether studios or rooms in private flats, backyards or large halls - art takes place in every conceivable corner of Karlsruhe. These spaces, often run by artists, are places of self-determined artistic activity and experimentation that offer a unique insight into the work of contemporary Karlsruhe artists.

Parallel to art KARLSRUHE, around 15 of these project spaces will open their doors simultaneously for one evening for the first time this year, offering the chance to discover the sometimes hidden spaces in a relaxed atmosphere and get to know the artists personally. A shuttle bus connects the fair with the project spaces and offspaces. Further information is available at kaunstrauschen-karlsruhe.de

The official after-art party will take place on Saturday 24 February at P8 in Schauenburgstraße. An international DJ line-up featuring Acid Pauli, Anna Schreit and Shahrokh Dini will provide the basis for a perfect evening. Artist Dominik Rinnhofer will provide the visuals.

Alejandro Monges Skulptur

Credit: Alejandro Monges Skulptur "SHIBUYA 2” Concrete, fiberglass, resine and pigments 2023, Galerie Heike Strelow, Frankfurt