Modern art, rugged charm
Some people may find north Germany bleak, but its beauty is undeniable. Few exhibition spaces express its unique atmosphere so eloquently as the Carlshütte, a former iron foundry operated by the first manufacturing company in the dukedoms of Schleswig and Holstein. Opened in 1827 and closed in 1997, this site in the town of Büdelsdorf is an impressive industrial monument. With its historical buildings, the colossal foundry halls, the extensive park with its old trees and an exhibition café, the Kunstwerk Carlshütte has developed over the years into a very special place for exhibitions, concerts, readings, theatre performances and film screenings.
Since 1999 the NordArt has established itself as one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe which takes place anually in the summer months. The NordArt is an overall work of art in its own right and is designed as such each year. More than 200 international artists, selected by a jury, present a comprehensive panorama of contemporary art. Each individual work not only speaks for itself but also creates new perspectives when seen juxtaposed against the unique backdrop offered by the Carlshütte and the adjacent historical sculpture park.
Enter the virtual tour to explore the sculpture park and the halls of the Carlshütte.
Chief curator of the NordArt: Wolfgang Gramm
Co-Curator of the NordArt: Inga Aru
Hosts of Kunstwerk Carlshütte: Hans-Julius Ahlmann and Johanna Ahlmann
The Kunstwerk Carlshütte is a nonprofit cultural initiative of the internationally active ACO Group and the towns of Büdelsdorf and Rendsburg (Kunst in der Carlshütte gGmbH).
Venue: Kunstwerk Carlshütte, Vorwerksallee, 24782 Büdelsdorf, Germany
Exhibition area: the former Carlshütte foundry (22,000 sqm), the ACO Wagenremise (400 sqm) as well as the park (80,000 sqm) and public places of the town of Büdelsdorf.
Since 2011, also the Orchestra Academy of the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival (SHMF) is at home at Kunstwerk Carlshütte - in the specially converted rehearsal and concert space “ACO Thormann Hall” that can accommodate audiences of up to 1,200. NordArt and the Festival are not only good partners, who both foster the worldwide network of artists, they also forward the crossover between fine arts and music. Since 2015 the concerts take place also in the Carlshütte in the middle of NordArt.
The large estate in Rendsburg/Büdelsdorf in Schleswig-Holstein supplied Rendsburg Castle with agricultural products from the 14th century onwards. The first industrial development in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein took place here in 1827 with the establishment of the Carlshütte iron foundry. When this industrial operation finally closed in 1997, Hans-Julius Ahlmann, Managing Partner of the internationally active ACO Group, took over the grounds with its enormous foundry halls and the historic housing and commercial properties.
Read more about the Kunstwerk Carlshütte
