Free space Folkwang

The message of my friend Hardy Bock reached me on short notice: we could go to the Folkwang museum, sit at their doorstep and start painting as a hint to the lack of space for artists in Essen so to speak.

Politics, picturesque sunbath or going to work?

I was sceptical right from the start when it comes to the political statement - yet I thought it was an attractive idea to sit in front of the Folkwang museum and start painting. Since I, equally attractive, cannot make a living off my art - this would stand in obvious contradiction to the demanded unity of art and life - and thus work as freelance journalist for a blog on culture, I wanted to exchange the useful with the beautiful and grabbed my camera.

Artists as bogy or solidarity with the Folkwang museum

While on the way, I met additional art friends and talked to amazed pedestrians on Otto Mühl's "Manopsychotisches Ballett" - as in Mühl's case even scraps of picked up conversation are quite exciting.

Upon my arrival at the museum, the scene corresponded with the architecture of the entrance area: grey and made of concrete. And what about the political statement of the activity? I started a survey.

"This is really more of an act of solidarity with the Folkwang museum than protest. It is difficult for the museum to raise enough funds for large exhibitions - and even the city has trouble chipping in", says one of the attendees. "There shouldn't be any cuts in culture", I summarise solemnly. "The museum is a room for viewing art. It's not about selling paintings", says someone else. "Contemplation instead of sell-out" is what I want to respond but I scratch my head.

Increasing complexity can only be met with naive action!

The Folkwang museum, the elite canon kitchen - one of the neo-feudal representation constructions of the successful bourgeoisie is an art temple for contemplation with whose economic aptitudes I shall conform with while being a cultural person? Discount

The understanding doesn't come to me and I discard my mission as a journalist to run to the next discount store to buy utensils for painting which I take to my friends for painting in the sun.

Photo: Joscha Hendricksen

Discount artist for € 18.60

I purchase

1. Canvas – 70cm x 100cm for € 8.95
2. Acrylic paint set – 6x 75ml for € 3.95
3. A paintbrush set incl. mixing pallet – € 3.95
4. 4 plastic cups for painting – € 1.75

and set up my work space right by the grey wall.

 

 

There is a free work space in front of the museum

While I was gone, we were noticed by some Folkwang securities. Reportedly, a friendly woman came outside and didn't mind that we stayed after we had explained our cause.

"We didn't bring the banners", I hear someone say. As spokesperson of the Frairaum2010 initiative, I can say: "Artists may set up their work space in front of the Folkwang museum in order to point at the fact that there are no affordable work or presentation spaces in Essen!"