Off the beaten art track: five Cologne galleries to expand your horizons

Wondering where you can find an exciting gallery in Cologne? If you thought the “k” in Köln only stood for the city’s kölsch beer, then you’ve totally underestimated the Kulturkomponente. Cologne actually boasts a very active art and gallery scene. The AIC network (Art Initiatives Cologne), founded in 2015, is an association of independent, non-commercial art and project spaces, art initiatives and festivals in Cologne. Its website has information on current exhibitions and other events. Here are our five tips for May and June.

1. Labor Ebertplatz

The Labor project gallery has been part of the Ebertplatz underpass since 2005 – a place that’s developed into a real art hot spot over the years. In 2013, they set up a “Friends of Labor” association to help support the gallery as it evolved as an exhibition space for contemporary art. Today, Labor is a showcase for experiments and hosts a wide range of events, including readings, performances and concerts, in addition to conventional-style exhibitions. The large windows of the former shop give a glimpse of what’s on show inside. Currently, it’s the exhibition “Waiting for something“, which will be running until 31 May. It features photography by artists Feli & Pepita, presenting new visual worlds depicting the transitional phases and vulnerability of youth in an attempt to cast a new light on day-to-day life and the expectations it brings.

Asiatische Schülerinnen in Uniformen essen Eis und unterhalten sich draußen, während der Wind ihre Haare verweht. Das Labor Ebertplatz ist eine Galerie in Köln. — Artists Feli & Pepita present their view of the fragility of youth at Labor *Ebertplatz*. © Feli & Pepita

Vernissage: Friday, 10 May 2024, 7pm. Exhibition: 10 – 31 May 2024. Performance: Wednesday, 29 May 24, 7pm, DISCOROBICS by FELI & PEPITA. Opening hours: daily, 4-8pm and by appointment. Address: Ebertplatzpassage 5, 50668 Cologne

2. 68elf e.V.

When eleven artists opened a gallery at Bismarckstraße 68 in 1988, their original intention was to create an artist-run space for contemporary and young art. It wasn’t until 2010, several years later, that they restructured the concept, moving from a gallery to a non-profit art society that now has around 50 members. But it’s not just the structure that’s changed – today the society focuses on promoting contemporary art and culture. In thematically defined projects, 68elf e.V. embarks on a dialogue concerning socially relevant and political issues and offers an opinion. Representatives from any of the fine arts are welcome to join in. To mark the 100th anniversary of Kafka’s death, 68elf e.V. are holding an exhibition entitled KAFKA:revisited until 8 June. Featuring 27 artists and what they associate with Kafka, the event will culminate in a Kafkaesque performance by artist Tine Wille on 8 June.

For the “KAFKA:revisited” exhibition, 27 artists delved deeper into Kafka’s works. © Jochen Schemm

KAFKA:revisited: Jürgen Bahr exhibition space, 4 May 2024 – 8 June 2024. Opening hours: vernissage, Sat, 4 May 24, noon – 8pm, and Sun, 5 May 24, noon – 6pm; closing event, Sat, 8 June 24 from 4 to 8pm. Otherwise: Thursdays, 3 to 7pm. Address: Ausstellungsraum Jürgen Bahr, Helmholtzstr. 6-8, 50825 Cologne

3. FOTORAUM KÖLN E.V.

If you’ve got a burning passion for photography, FOTORAUM KÖLN E.V. is likely to set you alight! Founded in 2001, this exhibition venue sets out to showcase a wide range of photographic forms. But it sees itself as more than just a place to display works, seeking instead to initiate a dialogue that creates a connection between the works and music, performance and moving images. FOTORAUM KÖLN E.V. aims to push the boundaries of the medium and dismantle conventional perspectives. As part of the preparations for their “ZENKER” exhibition, which will be running here until 16 June, artists Yana Wernicke and Jonas Feige travelled to Cameroon to conduct research on the Leipzig gardener and botanist Georg August Zenker (1855-1922). The result is an impressive portrait of an ambivalent figure in German colonial history.

Bipindihof by night. Georg August Zenker had this grand house built in the commune of Bipindi, in Cameroon, at the end of the 19th century. He lived there with his family until his death. Photographers Lana Wernicke and Jonas Feige travelled to the country to re-trace the Leipzig botanist’s steps for their “ZENKER” project. © Wernicke/Feige

Yana Wernicke & Jonas Feige: ZENKER, 4 May – 16 June 2024. Opening hours: Sundays, 3 to 6pm (closed 19 May). Address: Herderstr 88, 50935 Cologne

4. artothek

Established in 1973, artothek is a very special place. As you might guess from the name, art lovers can come here to borrow works. A database lists all of the pieces available to take away. But artothek is also an exhibition space for young artists from Cologne and the rest of the world. It goes to great lengths to ensure the range of art on display is as broad as possible. From paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography through to spatial work or performances, there’s something for everyone. They’ll be showing works by artist Anna Bochkova until 22 June. Her “Amoured Concrete” exhibition brings opposing feelings together in a surprising, new way.

Anna Bochkova: Amoured Concrete. Vernissage on 8 May, 8-10pm. Duration: 10 May – 22 June 2024. Address: Am Hof 50, 50667 Cologne

5. Zündorfer Wehrturm

Things take a very historical turn at Zündorfer Wehrturm. More than 800 years old, this defence tower is both a building to behold and a unique exhibition space for contemporary art. Having offered protection against the wind and rain to numerous inhabitants in the Middle Ages, today its medieval shell houses a modern interior of exposed concrete. A society established in 1993 makes sure the tower is put to good use, looks after its upkeep and organises art exhibitions in it. The goal is to provide a space for both well-known artists and talented newcomers to exhibit their works. From 2 to 30 June, visitors will be able to see an exhibition entitled “scheinbar schwerelos” (“seemingly weightless”), which apparently deals with lightness, floating and free space. Other than that, the two artists’ lips are sealed.

A piece by artist Christine Laprell. © Christine Laprell

Christine Laprell and Irmgard Potthoff: “scheinbar schwerelos”. Opening hours: Weds-Sat, 3-6pm; Sun, 2-6pmr (during the exhibition dates). Address: Hauptstr. 181, 51143 Cologne