“It’s not often in the life of an art historian that you get to reimagine an entire museum.”

Art historian and curator Felicity Korn is responsible for the collection of 20th and 21st century paintings and sculptures at Düsseldorf’s Kunstpalast. Working as the strategic lead with Director General Felix Krämer and curator Westrey Page, she was in charge of the redesign of this venerable museum in Düsseldorf’s Ehrenhof building. In this third part of our Deep Dive Kunstpalast, series, we spoke to her about her exciting work behind the scenes of the collection.

The revamped Kunstpalast opened in November 2023 after five years of preparation and three of building works and renovations. What did that feel like?
I think I captured the feeling when I said “it feels Christmas, Easter and my birthday rolled into one” to the first visitors to all of our exhibitions, who traditionally are the children attending the preview. It was completely overwhelming after all the time we had invested. I consider it a huge privilege that the city of Düsseldorf offered such strong support for our vision for the Kunstpalast and placed so much trust in us. “It’s not often in the life of an art historian that you get to reimagine an entire museum.”

How did the revamp of the Kunstpalast come about?
When Felix Krämer and I arrived at the Ehrenhof in 2017, it was clear that the old building needed modernising. We took that as our cue to redevelop the museum from the bottom up. We had this stunning framework of a building, and asked ourselves: how can we fit the museum inside of it? How do we want visitors to experience the collection? And how should we distribute the various periods and artworks across the 5,000 square metres available to us? The Kunstpalast worked as an exhibition space, but it was never really perceived as an art museum. We wanted to change that, even if it took five years of planning and three of building and renovation work.

Which aspects were particularly important to you when curating the many works of art for the Kunstpalast?
Previously, there were two separate entrances to the Kunstpalast, whereas now we have a circular route. The collection also used to be split into individual sections, and it didn’t always flow very well. Now, thanks to our chronological approach, every room focuses on a specific era. Given the seven different areas of the collection and the many cultural contexts, choosing the period when an artwork was created seemed the logical solution – it’s a neutral value that avoids too much external interference. We believe it is important to let the exhibits speak for themselves, rather than offer too much interpretation. We also feel that this neutral approach is more inclusive and allows more artworks to have their say.

What is key to this new way of experiencing these works of art?
The focus is strictly on art, and the aim is to be open. There are no obstacles to overcome and you always feel welcome. Every work of art has an accompanying text that is always the same length, whether it be for a famous Rubens or a painting by an artist who is still unknown. Each exhibit is treated equally and you are free to explore them as you wish.

What does the Kunstpalast offer visitors in terms of digital and interactive experiences?
It is hugely important to us that every visitor feels a connection, and that they can enjoy themselves while they are here. This is a museum, of course, but you’re allowed to laugh, bring your children along and have lively discussions in front of the artworks. Each visitor has their own needs and expectations, and we do our utmost to address them on every level. Whether that be through our Tonies audio guides for children, via the Kunstpalast app or in the studio – part of the guided tour – where courses are available to book. There are always new ideas, and we enjoy trialling them. The Palastrauschen event, for example, features music, performance art and digital media art and is aimed at younger visitors, while the Dein Kunstpalast event invites whole districts of Düsseldorf to visit the museum for free.

What exactly does your job as curator entail?
Most of my time is taken up by the exhibitions that we are planning. I’m currently working on four exhibition projects over the next couple of years, for example. Other duties as a curator include maintaining the collection and assisting with loans of our works of art. I also work with restorers, deal with logistical matters and questions of art history, and make new acquisitions, for example at the Art Düsseldorf fair. I travel a lot to other art fairs and international exhibitions such as the Biennale and Art Basel, and I always try to visit a range of exhibitions by my peers for a little inspiration.

How do you become a curator at a museum?
I studied art at Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, and was fortunate to get a traineeship at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt under its head of the contemporary art collection at the time, Felix Krämer. He made a great effort to involve me in curatorial projects, and we staged a wide range of exhibitions together. I arrived in Düsseldorf in 2017 as his advisor and was appointed the strategic lead on the redesign. Then a position as curator came up, which I now hold, and since then I’ve realised every day that it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to do

Can you offer any advice for the best way to explore the collection?
I recommend simply wandering through the Kunstpalast with an open mind and taking a closer look at whatever catches your eye. The Kunstpalast app is a great help, provides plenty of information and is fun to use. And you should make sure you have plenty of time and are wearing comfortable shoes. The rest will take care of itself.

In your opinion, when is the Kunstpalast at its best?
At the weekend, when it’s heaving! I’m delighted that the new Kunstpalast has been so well received.

kunstpalast.de

Interview: Karolina Landowski
Photos: Kunstpalast
Main photo: Andreas Endermann