Art in the Carlshütte:
Modern art, rugged charm
Some people 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 duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Opened in 1827 and closed in 1997, this site in the town of Büdelsdorf is an impressive industrial monument. Today, its huge halls, restored historic buildings and expanses of parkland provide an unusual setting for a wide variety of cultural events.
The Kunst in der Carlshütte (KiC) arts forum is a joint initiative of the ACO Group and the towns of Büdelsdorf and Rendsburg. Its 22,000 square metres of factory space and 60,000 square metres of parkland are used for concerts, lectures, plays, films and, most importantly, art exhibitions. These reach their height each summer with Nord Art, an annual exhibition of contemporary painting, photography, video, sculpture and installations by more than 200 artists from all over the world, all combined into a single gigantic artwork. Described by Kunstforum magazine as a “colourful cross-section of modern art”, the event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Nord Art also features the highly respected KiC Symposium, bringing together different generations of artists from around the world to engage in debate, make new acquaintances, and work. The results are then displayed in the Carlshütte and the sculpture park.
