Portraitserie XIII

Around 50 artists work in the Kunsthaus Rhenania in their studios at Cologne's marina on the Rhine.

The legendary Cologne studio Kunsthaus Rhenania is a melting pot for all branches of art. Accordingly, the range of "artist types" in the house is very wide and can provide an insight into an art world that reflects the everyday, far removed from the glamorous art market. It is a look at the emotions of the artists.

The history of the artists' studios in the Kunsthaus Rhenania began with the occupation of the former granary by independent artists in 1987. After many years of self-administration, the house was renovated in 2004 and converted to a legal state. Today the building houses about 50 artists. In the meantime, the storehouse, built in 1926, is surrounded by the crane houses of the star architect Tehrani, law firms such as Freshfields, companies such as Microsoft and luxury apartments. And anyone who regularly looks out of his window will notice that the yachts in the harbour are getting bigger and bigger.

It is all the more surprising that this jewel of culture has been able to survive until now. It is the only building in the newly developed Rheinauhafen area that has not yet been transferred to the luxury property market. A comparison with the famous Gallic village cannot be denied. And just like the Gallic village, the Kunsthaus Rhenania stands for all kinds of different types.

At first glance, it seems to be a romantically transfigured art mythical place. But a deeper look also reveals the conflicts in the art scene: What is art? Who is a "real" artist? Who is allowed in? Who must get out? Only a few succeed in sustainably and profitably asserting themselves on the art market. The vast majority of artists gather under the label of the "free art scene". But are the artists really "free"? 

A documentary series of portraits of the artists of the German Kunsthaus Rhenania studio house, how they hang on to their thoughts in the corridors and studios...

Work in Progress since 2011