No gallery. No artists show no art. That’s why there is no picture.

No art in Cologne

Cologne in April. Traditionally, the city bursts at all (art) seams. With the annual Art Cologne, the mother of all art fairs and in fact still a mega event and a yardstick for the international art world, the city transforms itself into a gigantic art event. With the Discovery Art Fair Cologne (former KÖLNER LISTE, Cologne List), which will once again take place parallel to Art Cologne as a “fair for discoverers”, and countless events in galleries, art spaces and off-locations, there is much to discover in many places between art and commerce.

Art, culture, commerce and cliques throughout the city. All over the city? No. Because there is NO GALLERY in Cologne – Weidenpesch. With his project, the artist Danny Frede (Blog entry “Danny Frede” and “Robotonism”) holds against the established gallery business between art, culture, commerce and “jobs for the boys”-attitudes. And he does that with great determination, namely as NO GALERIST, and together with ten other artists.

Caspar Reuter, Danny Frede, Jo Kirchherr, Leon Gräber, Loretta Mae Hirsch, Paul Prangenberg, Petra Blank, Petra Paffenholz, @pinoir.art, Stéphanie Uhres and Thomas von Klettenberg each show the NO ESSENCE of their work of the last year with one single representative work. And the challenge lies in this radical limitation. Only one single work that represents the respective attitude, themes, statements, techniques and formats. A single work that actually stands for the core of one’s own artistic position. Not an easy task.

Can this succeed?

Yes, together with the artist and gallery owner Danny Frede, a total of eleven artists who, with eleven positions, fit into a perfectly designed, tiny white cube. And, of course, they were present at the opening. “The artists are present”. That, too, was a success. White walls, a grey floor, the lettering “KEINE GALERIE” (no gallery) on the large shop window, so that nobody succumbs to any false expectations, and a sign “KEINE TÜR” (no door) on the rear door.

No misconceptions. And no sale, thus no pressure on both sides. No guests on personal invitation who feel compelled to move: “Do I have to take something with me now that I’m already here? No artists who think: “Now that I’m here, he or she can buy something.” No commerce, no sales negotiations, no red dots, but rather an extremely relaxed, very well attended opening (two days full house!) with many nice guests, unexpected encounters with unknown people and before that unknown art, interesting and stimulating conversations (of course also about art and artists, but also about this and that and culture in general), drinks and music. And last but not least, especially for the guests, who can’t let the rituals of the gallery visit pass them by, a special treat.

There was also no art to take away. For each of the works shown there is a card, DIN A 5. With the work on the front. And information about the artist and the work on the back. Almost as an edition in 100 pieces. To take away. Of course, signed by the present artist on request.

And what if you missed the opening?

Then you go to the finissage on Friday, 24.05.19. 18.00 – 21.00 o’clock. Or in between every Friday from 18.00 – 21.00 o’clock.

NO GALLERY. Neusser Straße 515, 50737 Cologne, Germany