Roter Turm - Konzept - Chemnitz Tourismus

“Kunst für Chemnitz” 1994–2008
The association “Kunst für Chemnitz” was founded in the autumn of 1994. At this time, a few years after the fall of the Berlin
Wall, one could feel also here in Chemnitz the atmosphere of renewal which set in after the political transformation of Eastern
Germany, the former GDR. The will of many individuals to shape and create things was very tangible.
Consequently, many cultural and artistic projects, ideas, and visions have their roots in this period – among others the ven-
ture to establish an association for the advancement of art and artists in Chemnitz. The impetus for the foundation of this
association came from three principal sources: the business community of Chemnitz, represented by Michael Windesheim and
Willi Schneider, the art scene centered around the renowned Galerie Oben which was very sympathetic to the project right
from the start; here we may mention Gregor-Torsten Kozik, Michael Morgner, Thomas Ranft, Klaus Süß, Steffen Volmer and
Carsten Nicolai. Last but not least, the directors of theatres and museums who realized the potential which lay in the bund-
ling of artistic resources and who contributed their ideas at an early stage, even before the association was founded.
It’s impossible to resume in a few lines everything the association has accomplished since 1994 through voluntary activity. It
may suffice to mention some impressive numbers to document its continuous commitment during the last decade: 34 exhibi-
tions have been presented in Chemnitz and other cities, 31 placards have been produced for new productions of the Theater
Chemnitz, two valuable maps with original prints have been edited, eight art catalogues have been published, six art tours
have been undertaken and countless public events have been organized in the HECK-ART-Haus. Resuming the first decade of
its existence, Michael Windesheim, one of the founding initiators of the association, writes in the preface to this documenta-
tion: “The HECK-ART-Haus – a living ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’, encompassing a gallery and a re staurant with Mediterranean cuisine
– is our ‘Denkfabrik Zukunft’ which has confirmed itself as a catalyst for communication and as a platform for the fertile
exchange between economy and culture.”
This anniversary is also an occa sion to look forward, to collect ideas for the next ten years, and to build on the jointly laid
groundwork in a meaningful and adequate manner. The coming objectives are also big ones: in the year 2005 the association
will be guest in England. This time with the double exposition “clara mosch & sons ltd” at the gallery of the Manchester
Metropolitan University and at the German Embassy in London. It will present on the one hand a retrospective about the arti-
stic group and producers’ gallery clara mosch from Chemnitz, and give on the other hand an insight into contemporary East
German art studios. Next year the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz will dedicate an important retrospective to the artist and hono-
rary member of the association Carlfriedrich Claus (passed away in 1998) on the occasion of his 75th anniversary.
“Kunst für Chemnitz” and its “Freundeskreis Kunst für Chemnitz” (a circle of friends of the association founded in 1998,
encompassing about 30 art promoters) will not lack ideas in the future. If the broad public support and acceptance of the
first de cade as well as the enthusiasm of the initiators will remain as strong as in the past, there’s no need to worry about
the next ten years.