This month Art Cologne returns to the Rhineland’s cultural capital, home to more than 30 museums, dozens of galleries, and the city’s landmark Gothic cathedral.
GO
ART COLOGNE
WHEN: April 18−22
WHERE: Hall 11
of the Cologne Exhibition Center
HIGHLIGHTS: Around 200 galleries — including the local Hammelehle und Ahrens, Beijing’s White Space, and Corbett vs. Dempsey, of Chicago — will show their works this year. A special exhibition dedicated to the German artist Dieter Roth will be installed at the south entrance, and several museums located along the Rhine will put on mini-exhibitions at the fair. Among them, the Art and Exhibition Hall Bonn
will have works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Francesco Clemente, while the Museum DKM in Duisburg will feature Ai Weiwei. Additionally, the New Art Dealers Alliance will hold its first fair in Cologne, bringing 33 galleries, such as Lisa Cooley, of New York; Vienna’s Emanuel Layr; and Neue Alte Bruecke, of Frankfurt.
artcologne.com
STAY
EXCELSIOR HOTEL ERNST
This stately landmark, just across the square from Cologne Cathedral, has played host to some of Germany’s most prominent figures for almost 150 years.
TRANKGASSE 1−5
49-221-2701
RATES: From $260
excelsiorhotelernst.de
HOTEL
CRISTALL KOLN
From the purple egg chairs in the lobby to the custom-designed furniture in the rooms, this centrally located 97-room hotel links style and comfort through design.
URSULAPLATZ 9−11
49-221-16300
RATES: From $112
hotelcristall.de
HOTEL IM WASSERTURM
Built more than a century ago, this circular structure, which once served as one of the largest water towers in Europe, opened in 1990 as a luxury hotel. Be
sure to savor the fare
at its award-winning restaurant, La Vision, and enjoy regional wines and beers at Harry’s Lounge. KAYGASSE 2
49-221-20080
RATES: From $177
hotel-im-wasserturm.de
ART’OTEL COLOGNE
Situated at the edge
of the Rhine, the Art’otel provides sleek accommodations with a thoroughly modern feel. A special treat for the eye: the large-scale works by the Korean artist Seo, created specifically for the hotel.
HOLZMARKT 4
49-221-801030
RATES: FROM $121
artotels.com
EAT
ALFREDO
Since 1999, Roberto and Susanne Carturan have been serving up fresh pasta and other fare at their Michelin- starred restaurant—including Mediterranean fish dishes and delicate antipasti—in a spare but sophisticated dining room. And on Fridays, after dinner service, chef Roberto, who took the helm from his namesake father, sings while accompanied by the in-house pianist.
TUNISSTRASSE 3
49-221-2577380
ristorante-alfredo.com
WEIN AM RHEIN
Head to this eatery for one of the best wine lists in Cologne—its name translates as “Wine on the Rhine.” The cellar fortifies a modern take on Mediterranean cuisine, with such items as braised ox jaw with cauliflower, beans,
and celeriac puree.
JOHANNISSTRASSE 64
49-221-91248885
weinamrhein.eu
ZUR TANT
Admire gorgeous views of the Rhine while dining on dishes such as venison and rabbit roulade in a trumpet mushroom sauce with vegetables and polenta, or roast beef and shallots with potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables.
RHEINBERGSTRASSE
49 49-220-381883
zurtant.de
BRAUHAUS SUNNER IM WALFISCH
Situated in a building with a façade that dates back to 1626, this restaurant is famous
for its traditional German fare. Don’t forget to order a beer to go with the sizzling pork and tangy sauerkraut or
one of the chef’s popular schnitzel dishes.
SALZGASSE 13
49-221-2577879
walfisch.net
SEE
GALERIE KARSTEN GREVE
French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel will show a suite of new glass sculptures through May 1 at this local mainstay, which has also held exhibitions with works by Gotthard Graubner, Jean Dubuffet, and Brassaï.
DRUSUSGASSE 1-5
49-221-2571012
galerie-karsten-greve.de
MUSEUM OF EAST ASIAN ART
Since 1909, this venerable institution has displayed Buddhist paintings, woodcuts, ceramics, sculptures, and other art from Japan, China, and Korea. The museum also shows contemporary works, such as a recent exhibition of photographs from Nobuyoshi Araki’s “Private Photography” series juxtaposed
with ceramics by Shiro Tsujimura.
UNIVERSITATSSTRASSE 100
49-221-221-28608
museenkoeln.de
MUSEUM OF APPLIED ART
The Museum für Angewandte Kunst is a must-see for any design aficionado. Check out “From Aalto to Zumthor: Architects’ Furniture,”
a show that features chairs, lighting fixtures, and other works by Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, and more, on display until April 22.
AN DER RECHTSCHULE
49-221-221-23860
museenkoeln.de
MUSEUM LUDWIG
Conveniently located next to the Cologne Cathedral, this museum is home to a vast trove of contemporary art along with the country’s largest holding of pieces by Picasso. Don’t miss “Before the Law: Post-War Sculpture and Spaces of Contemporary Art,” an exhibition of works by Alberto Giacometti, Gerhard Marcks, Germaine Richier,
and others, on view through April 22.
BISCHOFSGARTEN- STRASSE 1
49-221-221-26165
museum-ludwig.de
SHOP
APROPOS
Seek out this eclectic boutique for a tempting selection of coffee-table books on fashion, a wide assortment of beauty products, and the latest men’s and women’s clothing and accessories by Jil Sander, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, and others.
MITTELSTRASSE 3, 12
49-221-2725190
apropos-store.com
HAUS 4711
A neo-Gothic building houses the headquarters and flagship retail
outlet for 4711—the brand that made the phrase eau de cologne famous.
GLOCKENGASSE
49-221-27099910
4711.com
BOUTIQUE BELGIQUE
This concept store offers a variety of quirky gifts, such as notebooks from Archie Grand’s “I Met and Liked” series and Game Boy and iPhone cases, along with Maison Scotch clothing and accessories by Tokyo Jane.
BRABANTERSTRASSE 29
49-163-8455585
boutiquebelgique.blogspot.com
This article appeared in the April issues of Art+Auction and Modern Painters magazines.