Volker Belghaus - Essen
Volker Belghaus
Flanieren auf der Rüttenscheider Straße
Geboren wurde der freie Journalist, Redakteur und Autor Volker K. Belghaus in den wilden 70ern im weniger wilden Wuppertal. Heute lebt und arbeitet er in Essen. Vier Jahre lang betreute er das Magazin, in dem diese Worte geschrieben stehen, als Chefredakteur und arbeitet heute unter anderem für K.WEST – Magazin für Kunst, Kultur und Gesellschaft und das Kulturportal www.kulturkenner.de. Dabei liegen seine Interessen klar im Bereich des Designs, der Kultur und Kunst sowie in der Literatur und dem Menschen dahinter. Punkte, die er mit ganz eigenem Charakter in seiner Wahlheimat findet, „mittendrin im Fünf-Millionen-Metropolendorf Ruhrgebiet. In einer Stadt mit Skyline und einem Hauptbahnhofsausgang, der „Freiheit“ heißt.“ Schön ist das nicht, sagen viele. „Muss es aber auch nicht“, sagt Volker. Er genießt die Kirschblüten im Frühling auf der Rüttenscheider Straße, und auch wenn er ab und an von der Industrieklischeefolklore, vom „Komma umme Ecke“ und den Kissen aus alten Bergmannshandtüchern genervt ist, weiß er um die schönen Momente, wie zum Beispiel „in der Dämmerung auf einer A40 Brücke stehen und Rücklichter gucken.“ Für ihn ist Essen „Raum für sachliche Romantik“ und in seltenen Momenten erwischt er sich dabei, wie er bei der pathetisch-lakonischen Hymne „Heimat“ von SEBEL – zugegeben aus Bochum - immer noch eine Gänsehaut bekommt: „Heimat ist, wenn du trotzdem glücklich bist.“
Text: Jan Kempinski
Foto: Bernhard Handick
Amphütte
Already in the fourth generation, Patric Ampütte runs the over a 100 year old restaurant "Ampütte" at Rüttenscheiderstraße 42. Destroyed in the war and rebuilt afterwards, the family-run company houses an idiosyncratic audience – far removed from Rüttenscheider chic - in a rustic and dark atmosphere. In niches, at regulars' reserved tables, or at the curving wooden bar, creatives, office clerks, prominent figures and underdogs are seated. They order traditional homestyle food until late into the night, play dice together, or moisten their throats with freshly drafted beer from the region. Together they dance at live concerts or liven up the beer garden in front of the restaurant in good weather.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Rüttenscheider Str. 42 45136 Essen http://www.ampuette-essen.de
Baustelle Schaustelle
Since autumn 2007, BAUSTELLE SCHAUSTELLE e.V. has provided an off-space for young contemporary art at Brigittastraße 9. In the 16 square meter white art space “Schaustelle”, young North Rhine-Westphalian to international artists present their work, usually for the first time and without commercial intent, to the outside world through the window. The name is completed by the rear exhibition space “Baustelle”, separated from “Schaustelle” by a wall.
Since 2010, initiator Brigitte Krieger has been annually awarding an art prize, the participants of which are not to be older than 35 and should be graduated from or enrolled in an art-related study course.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Foto shows: Künstlerin Romina Dümler "ACIDATE:::::(take that):::::saucy"
Brigittastraße 9 45130 Essen http://www.baustelle-schaustelle.de
Bolia
Whether minimalist style or indulgent opulence: new Scandinavian design is the decisive starting point at Bolia. The products here are quality pieces with rounded shapes and featuring a myriad of striking details. This furniture is made to touch and try out. The supplied textiles for these premium interior decor pieces come from Denmark, and every design is a multi-layered aggregate of exquisitely selected materials. Culture and creativity in today’s world aren’t just a luxury, decorative accessory, or a dessert following a main course. No, they are primary elements in a knowledge-based society. How wonderful that Bolia has taken that to heart and breathes life into glamorous designs.
Text: Peter Hesse
Kettwiger Straße 2 45127 Essen http://www.bolia.com
Galerie Obrist
Galerie Obrist of art historian Torsten Obrist has been providing an innovative exhibition space for international contemporary art in Kahrstraße 59 since 2000. The gallery mainly trades and mediates in works by artists already established on the art market, but also in works by young talent. Their paintings, sculptures and photographs as well as videos and installations look at the world from a cognitive point of view, while at the same time reducing artistic means. Each year, approximately six individual exhibitions take place, as well as publications and art exhibitions.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Kahrstraße 5 45128 Essen http:// www.galerie-obrist.de
Goethebunker
An old air-raid bunker from the 1940s in Goethestraße 67 has been a well-known dance hall with underground flair for almost ten years - even beyond the borders of Essen. The jumping horse in the bomb-shaped logo is reminiscent of the former shop for horse supplies called "Lenartz", which formerly housed the bunker and whose logo still hangs on the reinforced concrete walls with bullet holes. Inside, there are rough walls, a stony ground, disco balls in the small, and light visuals in the big dance area. Depending on the event, Arnesa Sisman opens one or two rooms; for an individual audience, for live concerts and readings, but primarily for DJs from the region or from around the world. Their sounds from different genres such as balkan beats, funk, house or techno, flutter out of the Funktion-One sound system and make the silver ventilation boxes tremble.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Goethestraße 67 45130 Essen http://www.goethebunker.de
Le Fou
The name of the small French restaurant LE FOU in Brigittastraße 12 stands for the initial letters of the three founders: designer Falk Mombour, who designed the visual appearance, owner of wine cellar Le Chat Noir - Olaf Meier - and Ursus Wegst, owner of the former Kiosk that previously occupied the small corner space. On 18 square meters, 25 guests are presented with different culinary and cultural delights such as selected wines and seasonal dishes, as well as jazz concerts, small exhibitions or DJ sets. "Fou" also stands for "Narr" - the patron saint of small bistros.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Fotos: Peter Gwiazda
Brigittastraße 12 45130 Essen http://www.facebook.com/LeFouBistro
Projekt Zweibar
In a cozy living room atmosphere, Projekt Zweibar is rumoured to serve the best coffee in the city as well as cakes the way mother makes them. When the bar was still at Dohmann's Kamp, the office and bar had very similar keys, which was why from one of these, the label “Projekt Zwei” was dangling. Now, for the past ten years, Phil Hinze has created something between a café, a restaurant and a bar on Rüttenscheider Straße 63, which has everything to offer, from breakfast and lunch to an evening menu - also vegetarian and vegan. The well-mixed audience can sit down on the green cushions of the wooden or folding chairs in the backyard, while later on, they can enjoy a cocktail.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Rüttenscheider Str. 63 45130 Essen http://www.zweibar.com
Theater Courage
Behind the blue iron door, in the green backgarden of Goethestraße 67, THEATER! COURAGE, headed by Peter-Maria J. Anselstetter, has lain hidden for 29 years. Under the motto “... this is the way life plays”, the free theatre of the non-profit association Ruhrgebietstheater e.V. presents a diverse programme of comedies, plays with a critical background, erotic dramas, musical revues and children's theatre - Written by Gabi Dauenhauer, the artistic director, herself, or taken from the repertoire. Every year, almost 6000 spectators visit this former paper warehouse. They take place on one of the 99 black leather seats, and after the performance, they meet with the actors in the sailor's bar “La Paloma”, which, with its colourful lights and all sorts of hodge-podge on the red walls, provides a very special atmosphere.
Text: Natalie Waschk
Goethestraße 67 45130 Essen http://www.theatercourage.de
Vitra by store R
Reliability and beauty are never exaggerated at Vitra, but rather are a focus with laser accuracy. With many unique pieces, this designer furniture maker can transform any flat into a lounge. With painstakingly selected proportions, great comfort and elegance in its purest form. From the company headquarters located near Basel, Switzerland, Vitra has branches in a total of 14 countries. From there, they deliver precise comfort that always fuses with a clarity of expression. Besides chairs and sofas, the company also carries a wide range of accessories that provide a personal character for any room.
Text: Peter Hesse
Foto: Roland Baege
Rüttenscheider Straße 163 45131 Essen http://www.store-r.de/vitra
Wohngemeinschaft
Far from the high shopping street, you’ll find handmade fashion, bags, candles and premium design products from the region in a friendly shop consisting of around 75 square metres. Wohngemeinschaft is no ordinary store. Creative folks from the local environs use the shop as an art platform to showcase their goods and forge relaxed connections with interested buyers. The assortment on display includes one of a kind pieces ranging from postcards and clothing to sofas. Further, gerda leather bags are made with love and attention to detail in the adjacent workroom.
Text: Peter Hesse
Fotos: Roland Baege
Hedwigstraße 7 45130 Essen http://www.wohngemeinschaft-essen.de