The opening of the Ludwig Forum in the former Emil Brauer umbrella factory celebrated its 20-th anniversary in 2011. For this occasion the artist Lars Breuer (*1974 in Aachen) was asked to produce a work, based on a specific goal, to conceptualise a multifunctional room for the history of the umbrella factory and the Ludwig Forum. Breuer proposed a two-part project. It includes the first floor of the Ludwig Forum on the one hand, and also the floor of the external loggia.
In the top floor of the loggia is a large format frieze-like mural, which directs the gaze of visitors to the entrance and the loggia. The outdoor area, which offers an impressive insight into the original industrial architecture of the building, is thereby made a new experience. In the future, this area will also be made available for exhibition openings and other events. In a free composition, which is deliberately contrary to the very philosophical and didactic presentation in the second part of the exhibition, it refers to the artist in the loggia, in the dynamic-abstract imagery of the futurists, but also the colours of the German post-war modernism (Zero).
The area on the first floor, above the former restaurant will serve as a venue for the second long-term part of the exhibition. This floor between the two large exhibition areas will be home to a library in the future, designed by Lars Breuer, containing information about the Ludwig Collection, the former umbrella factory, the conversion and the exhibition history of the last 20 years. The homely furnished reading room with its own carpet designs forms the centre of the exhibition and offers visitors a cosy place to read and relax. Posters and media reports from the period, as well as original photographs and paintings give an insight into the different phases of use of the building. This part of the exhibition will also be combined with wall paintings of the artists, which connect through the various exhibition areas.
Curators: Dr. Brigitte Franzen und Julia Henderichs
The project is funded by the Foundation “Kunst, Kultur und Soziales” of the Sparda-Bank West.
Lars Breuer -Esprit historique / Zero History, Installation Views
Photos: Carl Brunn / Ludwig Forum Aachen
