Seaviews
Unperfekthaus Essen and its Humanized Art
What is Art all about?
“Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life” (Oscar Wilde), “every artist was first an amateur’( Ralph Waldo Emerson), for a long time down to earth intellectuals have been interested in defining art in a new way, proving a counterpoint to its exclusive reputation . Art is simply “there”, accessible, interactive, participatory. Such a take on creativity makes even more sense nowadays, when everything anyway is heading in this direction, thanks to new technology and our globalized existence. But do we really come across this more spontaneous, pure form of art often enough? The answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no, and I have an example to support the better half of it.
An Imperfect House better than a Perfect House
No wonder that the Imperfect House (Unperkfekthaus) in Essen, (http://www.unperfekthaus.de/), comes as close to the above liberal definition as possible. First a Franciscan monastery, then a movie theater, the building in the heart of the city at Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 18, has a special story. Beyond its doors the boundaries between artist and audience, between “certified” art and human creativity, disappear, communication gets intensified, as well as hedonism , tangible or intangible, that is, one can first try some masterpieces of gastronomy before rushing to the rest of works of art. After a warm welcoming at the available buffet downstairs, one is ready for the 7 floors full of studios, exhibitions and events. Art is everywhere, the artists as well, they have a face, can work on the premises and talk to visitors. In addition to paintings and sculpture, the ordinary eye meets hats, dresses, costumes, stuffed toys, knitted ware, jewelry, computers. A single ticket, drinks inclusive, has more than once opened doors into a long journey. Some visitors cross the threshold as participants in seminars, events, as concert audience or tourists, students and seniors staying at Unperfekthaus. You can share my first steps by listening to a reportage about the opening of the new quarter exhibition, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSCA-p0dYss&feature=youtu.be)
The City of Essen and Unperfekthaus – a Perfect Match
One would expect such an arty, meeting hub to be born in Berlin or another cultural giant, however, the original idea comes from Essen. Luckily, Mr. Reinhard Wiesemann, the owner, has recognized Essen’s strain to develop a modern, cultural scene, its necessity for an avant-garde project like this. “There is nothing impossible. Solutions are there for problems”, says the creative commissary at Unperfekthaus Susanne Kampling. After its long history as Germany’s industrial centre until the 70s of the last century, Essen was in strong need of redefining itself, saving its nature, developing its culture. While the Folkwang Museum, the Aalto Theater, Zeche Zollverein and other examples of industrial art, as well as Essen’s term as European Cultural Capital (Kulturhauptstadt) in 2010 provide for a sound basis, the Unperfekthaus is an endeavor giving the city a chance to enjoy art in a unique, accessible and interactive, contemporary form.
EssenerARTillerie 