a perfect night to take in some culture

Lore Klipp

Saturday evening was a perfect night to take in some culture. We started at the KulturBahnhof, a train station turned gallery. However except for the grand opening ceremonies, there wasn’t much going on in the early evening. This is where we first encountered museum night theme – find something new. I took it to heart and went on my first ever tour of the newly renovated Ständehaus (House of Estates). Then we wandered through Scheidemannplatz to Treppenstraße. Here I continued to find new things. I caught a glimpse of the Craftsmen’s Guild exhibitors and a few young, enthusiastic stucco workers giving demonstrations, and the winner of the “Ahle Wurscht” sausage contest (a North Hessian specialty). I bought some sausage for later (most of which unfortunately ended up going with my son on his class trip the next morning) and crossed Friedrichsplatz to the hall where the dOCUMENTA is held. There the new dOCUMENTA director was presenting parts of her concept for the upcoming exhibition of cutting-edge art. It will be a creative movement in search of Kassel’s history.

Brandthaus

Initial design proposals for the new logo were on display and supporters were on hand with delicious treats for visitors. Then while relaxing in the setting sun at a cafe and gazing out towards the Orangerie, I heard non-German voices engaged in a heated debate about art, and I began to really look forward to next year and the influx of visitors from around the world for the 100 Days of Art. Then my group changed gears by setting off again to learn something about the nearby marble baths.
So we put on felt slippers and took a little tour through the late Baroque playground for the aristocracy. Lured back outside by lovely weather and a pleasant evening atmosphere, we took a break for a drink in front of the Orangerie.

Grafitti at Lolitabar

Now it was time to discover some of Kassel’s contemporary art. The first stop was the Galerie Loyal, where there was more for the ears than for the eyes and not for our age group. However, we headed to the courtyard party of the ARM Club,  took a spin on the wheeled walker carousel at the senior playground (67+ Spielplatz) and took another short break at a table in the courtyard. We then walked back out into the Schillerviertel to check out two new galleries and the Brandthaus the creative heart of the neighborhood. The former textile factory seems to be the perfect space for the art and culture center, and we all hope the project succeeds. Unfortunately, we weren’t on the guest list for that party, however what we did manage to see definitely made us curious.

Our feet were getting a little tired by then, so we stopped to listen to the brass band at KulturBahnhof. We didn’t get much rest, though, because the performance was great and the music got us moving again.
Even with tired feet, I’m really looking forward to the next museum night in Kassel. I think it will be at the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe again next year.