Düsseldorf Airport launches Art Walk; aims to become ‘Artport’

Düsseldorf Airport has launched an ‘Art Walk’ exhibition space, allowing for vacant commercial spaces to be turned into art installations and galleries that celebrate the region’s local artists and cultural heritage.

Following an exodus of retailers during the COVID pandemic, Düsseldorf Airport sought to repurpose the empty spaces left into culturally enriching activities for visitors. By offering spaces on short leases, artists can showcase their work in an affordable way – also turning Düsseldorf Airport into an ‘Artport’.

Focusing on the idea that airports are invariably the first and last place people see in a city, the exhibitions are picked in order to reinforce the identity of Düsseldorf and the 18.5 million people living within 100km of Düsseldorf airport. Anne Berlit’s recent exhibition Reisende (Traveller), for instance, represents individuals from various backgrounds in terms of socialisation, education, and nationality. The installation was created with the help of inmates from the local Essen Prison.

Following the success of the Art Walk, Düsseldorf Airport plan to expand the scheme in new directions: including a ‘Space Walk’ that will allow for local businesses and entrepreneurs to join the airport in a similar manner.

Read more here.