Leipzig’s dynamic art scene is enjoying an excellent reputation worldwide and creativity is in abundance in this hot house of artistry.
The East German city of Leipzig, in the state of Saxony, has become revitalised over the past few years for its vibrant arts scene thanks partly to its cheap rents and studio spaces that are bringing an influx of young creative migration into the city; creating a dynamic art scene that’s enjoying an excellent reputation worldwide.
It’s a scenic, historic city bursting with culture. Known to some as “the new Berlin” or “hype-zig” for its youthful and creative culture, now is the perfect time to soak up what makes this city so vibrant and special.
2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. but it was in Leipzig – approximately an hour train ride outside of the German capital – that things were set in motion. Known as the Monday Demonstrations, the non-violent protests began spontaneously and sparked the final push for the destruction of the wall.
From the industrial areas and disused factories (which are now turned into creativity hubs) where people have experimented to make their surroundings better to the mix of architecture in the city centre – there’s a wide range of cultural activities available at any given time to discover.
With only 48 hours in the city it’s tricky to scratch the surface of its rapidly growing and evolving scene but here are a few cultural destinations that’ll help newcomers get up to speed with what’s happening in the city.
There has been a subtle shift in Germany’s art scene; more artists are starting to leave Berlin and move to cheaper areas in the East of Germany. Artists and creatives are drawn to Leipzig for the reasonable cost of living. As art and culture spreads across the city Leipzig feels much more laid-back and quiet with more of a big town vibe than the sprawling German capital. Everybody cycles everywhere; for tourists, this means Leipzig is a great place to visit and to explore its network of parks that thread through the city making all corners accessible by bike. See www.lipzitours.de.
Spinnerei
Spinnerei galleries
The prime site for artists in Leipzig, the SPINNEREI, is an impressive contemporary artist platform housed in an unconventional space. Since its decommissioning in 1992, Europe’s largest cotton spinning mill has been turned into a cosmopolitan centre of art. Situated in the hip district of Plagwitz it is home to over 100 artists, 12 galleries, a cinema and the non-profit exhibition space Halle 14. The Spinnerei does not only offer a lot of space to show art, art is also made here.
Check the website for details of open dates when the galleries release new exhibitions and the artists open the doors to their studios. It’s a day well spent. Also in the vicinity is the cool Westpaket flea market. A great spot to pick up kitsch bric-a-brac and nostalgic memorabilia as well as home furnishing accessories and furniture.
Grassimuseum
Grassimuseum of Applied Arts
Since its reopening in 2007, the renovated museum has a new permanent exhibition space showcasing 2,500 years of art history as well as spanning the spectrum towards the design trends of the 21st century. On our whistle stop tour we headed straight to the 100 Years Of Bauhaus exhibition which shows the Saxon perspective on Germany’s most important art, design and architecture school. The exhibition traces the connections and activities of Bauhaus residents born in Saxony and how Bauhaus typography, architecture and modern image aesthetics found their way into their works and also left its mark with contemporary artists.
Forum of Contemporary History
Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig
This fascinating museum looks back at the history of political repression, opposition and resistance, and at the peaceful revolution that unfolded in a divided Germany as well as everyday life in the GDR. As 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was in Leipzig that things were set in motion. Known as the Monday Demonstrations, the non-violent protests began spontaneously and sparked the final push for the destruction of the wall.
Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Fine Arts // Museum der bildenden Künste
Designed by Berlin architects Hufnagel / Pütz / Rafaelian, this 36-meter high glass ‘art cube’ is a stunning masterpiece of architecture that you could easily spend two days wondering through, but as we were only in town for 48 hours we headed straight to the Yoko Ono exhibition PEACE is POWER.
The 60 or so works shown were all selected by Yoko in collaboration with her longstanding friend and curator Jon Hendricks and Alfred Weidinger. The exhibition finds its ideal presentation space in the rooms of the MdbK: with its 15 galleries and three light-bathed terraces, as well as a 2,250 m² courtyard, the minimalist space and the enormous, magnitude, of the Museum, is the perfect setting to showcase these poignant pieces.
Tapetenwerkfest at the Creative Factory Space
Tapetenwerk
This former wallpaper factory has been converted into a cultural centre with galleries, artist studios and a co-working space for creative entrepreneurs hosting eclectic and vibrant studio spaces. At least twice a year the entire Tapetenwerk opens its doors to art festivals with exhibitions and open studios. The space, where web designers, architects and photographers usually work, hosts public exhibitions of new pieces from art, design and architecture, presented in the gallery studios with dj’s, cheap beer and vegan food.
Art Power Plant
Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig
In the Western district of Plagwitz, stands he impressive Kunstkraftwerk; a former heating plant transformed into a multimedia and video art exhibition space. Acting as an innovative, exploratory place for urban renewal and a place for new thinking, it offers visitors everything from a 360-projected sound and music extravaganza about Renaissance painting to a variety of provocative modern-day art exhibits.
Motel One Leipzig-Post
Where to stay
A good choice in the heart of the city centre is Motel One, which offers stylish rooms, impressive views, decent Wi-Fi and excellent service at surprisingly low prices. Motel One Leipzig-Post launched in December 2018 and is the latest opening from the affordable design hotel brand Motel One. Housed within the city’s historic old post office building, the property has 300 guest rooms and offers city views and the largest Gin collection in the city from its rooftop Cloud One Bar on the 8th floor. Prices start at €69 a night.
