Not Without the Independent Scene! 3 Düsseldorf Off Spaces in Conversation
In this special feature, we speak with the founders and directors of three distinctive art off spaces in Düsseldorf: Heinke Haberland, Gabi Luigs, and Michael Krey from the pool, Maren Knapp Voith from NEXUS Nails projectroom, and Carolin Israel from AURA. These independent art venues play a crucial role in the city’s cultural ecosystem, providing platforms for experimental art and emerging artists outside the commercial gallery system.
the pool: An underground venue that fascinates both artists and visitors with its unique subterranean presence.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: A miniature version of the Nails projectroom that continues to showcase art by students and graduates of the Düsseldorf Art Academy, viewable 24/7 through the display window.
AURA: A brightly lit art space with large shop windows on Birkenstraße in Düsseldorf: run by and for artists, its influence radiates far beyond the city.
Courtesy the pool. From left to right: Michael Krey, Heinke Haberland, and Gabi Luigs.
the pool: We create a meeting point where artists and musicians can converge and collectively bring something new into the space.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: We’re not really “off” at all, but right in the heart of the gallery district of Flingern. Alongside other off spaces around Birkenstraße, there’s also the Film-Werkstatt and the Philara Collection, which mixes different visitor groups and creates synergies.
We showcase young artists who often have little to no exhibition experience. For many, exhibiting at NEXUS Nails projectroom is their first exhibition outside the Academy—an important step in experimenting and presenting themselves beyond the protected framework of the Academy. Additionally, we don’t have a fixed roster of artists we exhibit and work with, which makes our exhibition program more diverse.
AURA: We’re fortunate to be independent from commercial interests and political guidelines. This allows us to focus entirely on art and the combination of artistic positions, take risks, and realize exhibitions that wouldn’t have come about elsewhere. We connect young and established artists, giving them the opportunity to develop and present their artistic vision. This bridges the gap in Düsseldorf’s cultural landscape between off spaces and established exhibition venues.
Maren Knapp Voith. Photo: Bine Bellmann
the pool: Presenting new, exciting, experimental, beautiful, and special art and music—and interweaving them with each other.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: Unlike a gallery, I can select works and artists free from commercial interests since we operate as a non-profit. This means I gladly showcase performances or installation works that are exciting but often don’t find space in commercial venues because they’re harder to sell. Our exhibitions should present new, exciting, and cross-disciplinary positions and contemporary diverse topics to the public.
AURA: We’re interested in engaging artistic dialogues and primarily value artistic quality. Simultaneously, we look for thematic parallels between positions to bring together artists who might not know each other but share something in content. This creates a diverse program that develops unusual perspectives and shifts viewpoints on discourses within art.
Exhibition view, Jukai-Ryokō [dt. Reisendes Meer aus Bäumen] Tomas Kleiner/Marco Biermann, NEXUS Nails Projectroom ©Kai Werner Schmidt
the pool: The pool itself! A space for contemporary art that emerged solely from our private commitment and is privately supported.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: The exhibition “Beuys and Girls” in collaboration with Curated Affairs particularly sticks in my mind, featuring artists Johanna Reich, Magdalena Kita, and Marleen Rothaus. It addressed the visibility of women in art for Joseph Beuys’ 100th birthday without mentioning Beuys’ name once in the exhibition.
I also found Cristiana Cott-Negoescu’s exhibition impressive, with her performative installation “Disgusted but still hungry” addressing overfishing, microplastics, and our relationship with food. The exhibition by Tomas Kleiner and Marco Biermann was also quite sensational—I really grew attached to the moving trees in the space during the four weeks of the exhibition, almost like pets.
AURA: There are many projects we look back on with pride—especially because the space transforms with each exhibition. However, I’m particularly fond of our exhibition “Deutsche Vase” with Chemnitz artist Osmar Osten, which opened last year on German Unity Day. Chemnitz is my hometown and this year’s European Capital of Culture. Through our work, we were able to create a connection between Chemnitz and Düsseldorf. We plan to continue this: in November, we’re planning a cooperation with Galerie Hinten of Klub Solitaer e.V. to present more Saxon artists in Düsseldorf during the Capital of Culture year.
Exterior view the pool, courtesy the pool
the pool: Long-term funding and networking.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: Long-term financial security for off spaces would be fundamentally sensible. Without stable financing, it’s incredibly difficult to plan and organize exhibitions. You always bounce from one funding source to another, without knowing if you’ll get money for rent, let alone for materials. This creates great uncertainty, as you often have to pay rent for the whole year for such a space, which can quickly lead to debt.
It would be an enormous relief if at least the rent were covered permanently and if we could tell exhibiting artists what budget they have available for the exhibition. Currently, it’s impossible to realize exhibitions without unpaid commitment and uncompensated work from both sides.
Düsseldorf has tremendous potential through the Art Academy and high worldwide visibility, and it’s a shame that this is often not recognized, or that voluntary engagement is not appreciated. Off spaces fill an important gap between the Academy—or other art colleges—and exhibition houses and galleries, and in my opinion, much is being squandered here. With proper support, attention could be increased, which would ultimately benefit the city and its citizens.
AURA: Long-term and forward-looking funding! We receive valuable support from our sponsors, but there’s a lack of planning security, especially in the first months of the year when funding comes in late. We often have to pre-finance expenses. Multi-year funding would help remedy this, and we’re already in discussions about exactly that.
Carolin Israel at AURA. Photo: Carolin Israel
the pool: Come visit! And bring many interesting visitors with you.
NEXUS Nails projectroom: Institutional funding, recognition of volunteer work, and increasing visibility would be good support for off spaces’ work. My dream would be an opportunity to show selected works in a dedicated booth at Art Düsseldorf—like what BÄM organized at Art Cologne.
I also think it would be good if the off spaces joined forces, similar to what happened at Ebertplatz in Cologne, to gain greater visibility among politicians and potential funders.
AURA: Come visit us, engage in dialogue, and become part of our network!
The following shows will be on view during Art Düsseldorf 2025:
the pool: 2 Linien – Kimoto Daiki, Hiroyuki Masuyama. March 15– April 26, 2025
NEXUS Nails projectroom: Keita Morita: Contemporary Urban Archaeology. March 28 – April 20, 2025
AURA: Theresa Rothe, Melo Börner, Kavachi and Sevina Tzano. April 10 – May 10, 2025
