Düsseldorf

NRW Forum

Whether on your first visit or any visit thereafter, when you enter the grounds of the NRW Forum you’ll be impressed upon arrival by the magnificent building, which is as historic as it is modern. After a walk under the old arcades and a short stroll through the magnificent garden, visitors arrive at the entrance to the NRW Forum in the centre of the building. The Tonhalle Düsseldorf and the Museum Kunstpalast complete the heritage-protected Ehrenhof ensemble. Ever since the 1920s, the building has served as a place for exhibitions of all kinds. Threatened by closure, the NRW Forum opened under a new concept on October 9, 1999. Since then, the NRW Forum has been a place where numerous national and international artists and creators exhibit their works, where workshops are held, and where numerous other activities take place. Recently it became home to a Soda Books branch store. Anyone interested in design, books and magazines for visual arts will definitely find a new favourite hang-out here. There’s also good news for photography fans: Two new exhibitions will open on February 2 for the Düsseldorf Photo Weekend.

The German poet Erhard Horst Bellermann once said: "Actually there are only two kinds of people: joy-makers and kill-joys." In terms of Germans, this is certainly very apt - but the fact that Germans can also laugh about themselves is demonstrated by the photograph of a man sleeping naked on the beach with his legs spread, and his pride and joy is blocked off from the viewer by a seagull. This kind of photograph - and many others - can be found in one of the two latest exhibitions of the artist Thomas Mailaender. For 15 years, the French man collected artefacts of cyber culture, which Germany will be exhibiting in his "Fun Archive" from his retrospective. These treasures consist of anonymous amateur photographs, Internet memes and cyber trash. The images on exhibit range from political slants on sweet cat photos to his classic: portrait prints in sunburns . The cult lives on and finds its whimsical and humorous home in the "Fun Archive."

The second exhibition, which also starts on the occasion of the opening ceremony for the Photo Weekend on February 2, is "Women on Street". The NRW Forum is presenting two world stars of photography in contrast. The exhibition consists of photographs from the series "Women on Street" by the American photographer Garry Winogrand and those of the star of fashion photography Peter Lindberg from his series "On Street". The NRW Forum is a place for creative people, the interested public, for people who are seeking a dialogue, who have questions and are looking for answers, who rejoice and are enthusiastic - an international space where everyone is welcome.

Important Exhibitions:

Peter Lindbergh und Garry Winogrand: Women on Street
3.Februar - 30. April 2017

Thomas Mailaender: The Fun Archive
Laufzeit: 03.02.-30.04.2017

Unreal: A Virtual-Reality-Exhibition 
Laufzeit: 19.5.-5.11.17

Gute aussichten 2017/2018
Laufzeit: 24.11.2017-11.02.2018

Author: Sandra Redegeld
Foto:Julia Steinigeweg, Ein verwirrendes Potenzial, guteaussichten.org

Ehrenhof 2
40479
http://www.nrw-forum.de/

Duesseldorf Photo Weekend 2017

From classic Street Photography to gaudy Net Trash; from renowned star photographer to up- and -coming young artist: once again, the Duesseldorf Photo Weekend puts the state capital in an ecstasy of images. From 3 to 5 February, visitors can stroll throug h Düsseldorf for hours on end and see a wide range of contemporary photography to their heart's desire. After five successful editions, more than 70 galleries, museums, institutions and off -spaces are taking part this year.

The Duesseldorf Photo Weekend will be opened with two high-profile exhibitions in NRW-Forum Düsseldorf. From 2 February onwards, in the exhibition “Women on Street”, the international cultural centre will present the work of two world stars of photography: Peter Lindbergh's series "On Street", in which the famous fashion photographer staged his models in the real-life situation of the street, thus playing with clichés from the fashion world, which then encounters the work of Garry Winogrands. The American photographer was regarded as one of the most important representatives of street photography during his lifetime. His black-and-white works have shaped the genre since the mid-sixties. The exhibition shows Winogrand's rare coloured photographs from 1958 to 1964 for the first time. A world premiere!

With another presentation, NRW Forum is taking a completely different direction: "The Fun Archive" is the first major retrospective of French artist Thomas Maila ender, who collects bizarre, sometimes comical findings from the net and artistically renews these by analogue and digital processing. Anonymous amateur photographs, internet memes and net trash - introduced into the world of high culture.

In the weekend another format is presented: "The Portfolio Review", which aims to bring young photographers into contact with curators, editors and pub lishers. At this public event on 4 February, fifteen young photographers present their work to an the in ternational jury using beamer projections. There is also a group exhibition of nine artists showing works from the last few years.

If you prefer to browse through photographs, the "Photo Book Salon" on the newly built campus of the Hochschule Düesseldorf (HSD) is the perfect place for you. In addition to the exhibition of the shortlist for the "Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation Photo Book Awards", European book publishers are invited, who mainly focus on special editions of photo books. Exhibitions and lectures are also organised, taking into account the growing importance of photo books. Public guided tours and numerous events in the galleries, museums and art spaces of the Ruhr metropolis, make the programme of the Photo Weekend in Duesseldorf complete. A weekend full of photography that has now become a popular part of the arts and culture scene in the Rheinstadt – and is also definitely attracting international attention. So go and see it, and don't forget your camera!

Fast facts:
Duesseldorf Photo Weekend :

3. February – 5. February 2017
   Opening of the Photo Weekend and the exhibitions in NR W-Forum:
4. February, 19.00
   Portfolio Review 2017 in NRW-Forum Düsseldorf:
5. February, 11.00 – 19.00
   Photo Book Salon in the Library of the HSD:
6. February – 5. February
   Opening times of the galleries:
7. February, 18.00 – 21.00
8. February, 12.00 – 20.00
9. February, 12.00 – 18.00

Author: Benjamin Eckert
Foto: Aneta Grzeszykowska, Selfie #18b, 2014

http://www.duesseldorfphotoweekend.de/

Teilmöbiliert

No run-of-the-mill furniture store presents itself in Unterbilk, but Teilmöbliert – a group of independent freelance designer from various areas of expertise like furniture and interior design. There is a lot to explore, ranging from prototypes to small batches, from lamps across object design to photography art – everything a designer’s heart desires. As a result, the designs are as various as the designers behind them. There are side tables by Paula Ellert with their tabletop made from vinyl records – appropriately named “Longplay” and “Single”. Felix Ersig keeps the small budgets in mind. His concrete coasters or napkin rings are affordable for anyone and add a certain something to the table top. Berthold Franz proves that a mortar mixing bowl is capable of more than mortar mixing with his “Gummi Lux” lamp. Suitable art for the walls by Anke Jüngels completes the range – various photographs in the look of Polaroid pictures. The “ Berlin Dog ” by Christian Lessing immediately clarifies what it is about: a warning sign that forbids “doing number two” here. The series “samples in wood” by Stefan Schwander plays around with the ideology of form-follows-function. They are the exact opposite: the wooden object is reduced to its shape. Maybe a “Woodphone” – a wooden iPhone – is the perfect gift for a permanently stressed smartphone user? But there are functional items, too: Markus Christian Wilkens ’ “Feuertopf” shows how to transform the familiar chafing dishes, known from buffets or caterings, with their simple holders made from bent metal sheets into elegant centrepieces of every table. This is just a glimpse of the range that is presented here by the seven designers of Teilmöbliert – one just has to see it for oneself. In addition to that, changing exhibitions of furniture on different topics are presented, for example „sit – of taking a seat and sitting”. Teilmöbliert has been set up in different locations in Düsseldorf. Now, they reside at Lorettostraße 9 in Unterbilk. In 2017, periodical cultural events will take place once more.
Author: Oliver Kapp
Fotos: Teilmöbliert

Lorettostraße 9
40219
http://www.teilmoebliert.com/

STREHLOW

Marion Strehlow reinvents herself with each new collection of her label STREHLOW, but she always maintains her independence. The combination of simple design, textured fabrics and clear cuts make for a timeless elegance. Individual pieces that become favourites. Dresses, trousers and bags that are ready to accompany their wearers faithful ly throughout their lives.

Marion founded her label in 2001. The only logical step for the Duesseldorfer, who had always created her own clothes with great passion, later became a seamstress and subsequently went to fashion school. At this time, some shops in her hometown were already selling her first collections. Thanks to a stipend from Fashion Trade Show Company Igedo, she could then take the first step into independence and start her own business. Marion is aware of the fact that she has been quite lucky. Above all, her career is characterised by idealism and perseverance, creativity and independence. All this is reflected in her designs. The combination of modernity and timelessness as well as the purposeful placement of contrasts are the main themes of STREHLOW. This is paired with clear cuts and lines and a great fit: "The search for perfection is a driving force. Since I wear all my designs myself, I know, for example, which pieces are likely to be worn time and time again. Pieces that can be worn on many occasions. Pieces that you look forward to wearing. This is my 'intrinsic' inspiration." At STREHLOW, only the best fabrics are used, mainly cotton, wool and leather. Functionality is one of the most important demands Marion puts on her working materials, which must then function well in both everyday life and on special occasions. Her collection consists of individual pieces or smaller batch pieces, which guarantees absolute exclusivity. While the range on the STREHLOW website is currently limited to Marion's bag collection, her pieces are sold in selected stores in Düsseldorf and Cologne. However, the shop portfolio is constantly being expanded in order to allow more people access to STREHLOW. Just like the idea behind the STREHLOW TEMPORARY events. "The whole thing came about because I thought my own shop was too immobile in the truest sense of the word. I wanted to know how my pieces would do in other cities and countries. This does not just concern my collection, but rather it is an integral concept. A symbiosis of fashion, art and music from Düsseldorf. Many of my friends are artists and musicians, and we always present ourselves differently, always new. We have been to Hamburg and Berlin, and the next location will be The Hague next autumn." Here, the pieces from the collection can be experienced on the spot and also be tried on and purchased. Additionally, there is the possibility to arrange an appointment with Marion in her studio in Düsseldorf, in order to have her design your own personal STREHLOW piece for you - perhaps for a special occasion. l take place once more.
stre-low.com

Autor: Nicole Ankelmann
Fotos: Daniel Rupp

Stella Achenbach

Fashion was always her great passion. She dreamed of having her own label immediately following her studies at Vienna ’ s University of Applied Art. That was 2013. After some time with Marchese Fashion in New York, this idea began to take shape. A couple more months went by to take care of all the necessary preparations, and then in early 2015 Stella Allenbach - Identity Goods was finally born. Patience and persistence paid off, even if there were numerous hurdles to overcome in establishing yourself in the fashion industry. “ The fashion industry and customer behaviour are currently in a state of transition. In the end, the important things are having a financial backup, staying power, and the vision to nurture a label with innovative and creative ideas. ”That ’ s exactly what this lady from the Rheinland region is committed to doing.“ Quality, aesthetics, ethics, individuality, and passion, ” is how she summarises the pillars of her label. Everything bears her unmistakable signature at Stella Allenbach - Identity Goods. The premium women’s handbags and accessories in the Basic and Classic collections are available in diverse shapes and colours, hand-crafted from the finest materials. Originally from the Rheinland region, she includes the greatest possible timelessness and recognition value in her designs. She expanded her product assortment in 2016 and is constantly working on building the brand. Stella’s focus is on the Classic collection, which adapt to fit the occasion, your mood and outfit, thanks to interchangeable, hand-painted accessories. It doesn’t get more personal than that.
Author: Nicole Ankelmann
Fotos: Vanessa Hartmann