August 13, 2018

Blue-Chip Artists Transform the Bundeskunsthalle Into a Fantastical Playground

Thomas Schütte’s glazed ceramic gnomes. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Thomas Schütte, Konrad Fischer Galerie, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018.

This summer, the Bundeskunsthalle is all about fun. The Bonn, Germany, museum otherwise known as Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland has mounted two exhibitions centered on play. “The Playground Project Indoor” explores the concept through photographs, models, plans, and films from the mid 20th century. “The Playground Project Outdoor” is more physically interactive: Slides, swings, and enormous white Lego sculptures by the likes of Ólafur Elíasson, Carsten Höller, and Superflex are set up for museum-goer use on the 2-acre landscaped roof garden as well as in the square in front of the institution. Both shows are up through October 28.

A Carsten Höller slide in stainless steel and polycarbonate is part of an outdoor exhibition at Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Bonn, Germany. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Carsten Höller, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Ólafur Elíasson’s Lego installation on the museum’s roof. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Ólafur Elíasson, Neugerriemschneider, Berlin, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery New York, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
One Two Three Swing! by Superflex. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Superflex and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Thomas Schütte’s glazed ceramic gnomes. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Thomas Schütte, Konrad Fischer Galerie, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: One Two Three Swing! by Superflex. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Superflex and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Ólafur Elíasson’s Lego installation on the museum’s roof. Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Ólafur Elíasson, Neugerriemschneider, Berlin, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery New York, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: “The Playground Project Outdoor.” Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Thomas Schütte, Konrad Fischer Galerie, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: “The Playground Project Outdoor.” Photography by Laurin Schmid/Courtesy of Thomas Schütte, Konrad Fischer Galerie, and Kunst- Und Ausstellungshalle Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2018.

> See more from the July 2018 issue of Interior Design

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