Museums and art associations of international standing, numerous galleries and creative artists' groups invite you on a journey of discovery through Aachen's art world this coming weekend, September 27 and 28. Over 360 artists will be presenting their works at 46 stations. Painting, drawing, photography, objects, printmaking and digital printing, as well as performance, installation, photography, street and land art will also be shown in spaces that are otherwise hardly accessible.

On Friday, 26 September, Heinrich Brötz, Alderman for Education, Youth and Culture of the City of Aachen, together with Heinrich Hüsch, organizer and Chairman of Aachener Kunstroute e. V. and Britta Hoog, organizer and Deputy Chairwoman of Aachener Kunstroute e. V., will officially open the route at 8 pm in the Aula Carolina. A great date for Brötz: "The Kunstroute has been highlighting the diversity of the visual arts and cultural players for many years. When you read the program, you realize that the art route also triggers art. There are people who deliberately work towards the art route because they want to exhibit something there and present their ideas."

Novelties

The ideal starting point is the central exhibition "SPEKTRUM*25" in the Aula Carolina (Pontstr. 7-9). There you will find a joint exhibition of many stations with works by around 50 artists and artist groups. Here you can get a first impression of the art route. The central info point also allows you to plan your own route. In addition to many established stations, there are some new features this year: these include E14 Arthall with a daytime art party vernissage, the Photographic Association with portrait shootings where visitors can take part in abstract photography and receive a portrait photo of themselves with abstract lighting effects. Ceramic artist Barbara Reiter will also be there for the first time with a "remember" hands-on activity.

Art without fear of contact

A total of around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the 28th edition of the art route. Hüsch explains: "We want to open up the cultural institutions that create art to all interested people on one weekend a year, in as broad, diverse and low-threshold a way as possible. Most of the 360 artists are present in person and welcome their visitors with open arms and no fear of contact." The artists can talk to visitors directly on site.

Hoog adds: "As a young organizer, I always try to make art accessible to a younger audience. In recent years, more and more young visitors and artists have joined us. We are very happy about this development." Visitors can look forward to several multimedia projections, concerts, readings, art cafés, many guided tours and musical improvisations. Even works of art made of sugar, egg or carpet can be admired this year.

Competition

There is also something to be won: if you visit at least four stations on the route, with a bit of luck you can choose one of 100 works of art worth 500 euros to take home with you.

Heinrich Brötz is also looking forward to the coming weekend: "Many thanks to everyone involved. I think the cultural wealth that is evident here is fantastic. The art route is a special highlight in our cultural landscape and invites you on a relaxed and free voyage of discovery into Aachen's cultural scene."

Information on

The Aachen Art Route is an initiative of Aachen's art institutions to promote contemporary visual art. These include museums and art associations of international standing, galleries and renowned artists' associations. A varied supporting program with vernissages, guided tours, readings, musical performances and personal contacts with the artists present encourages discourse and dialogue, is inspiring and enriching.

The program of the 28th Aachen Art Route can be found on the Internet at www.aachenerkunstroute.de and in the brochures available at the individual stations.