Press Conference 10.04.2025: 21 x 21. Die RuhrKunstMuseen auf dem Hügel

21×21.
RUHRKUNSTMUSEEN AUF DEM HÜGEL
Large special exhibition shows highlights from the collections of the 21 art museums in the Ruhr region in dialogue with each other
11 APRIL TO 27 JULY 2025| VILLA HÜGEL, ESSEN

PRESS RELEASE


The 21 RuhrKunstMuseen represent a unique urban museum landscape in Europe and showcase over 150 art exhibitions every year across 45,000 square metres in 16 cities in the Ruhr region. Founded as part of RUHR.2010 – European Capital of Culture, the network is realising a large-scale exhibition project to mark its 15th anniversary in spring 2025, bringing together the RuhrKunstMuseen collections in a joint show at
Villa Hügel in Essen. Exceptional works from the diverse collections will enter into a dialogue that is both surprising and inspiring – the special exhibition will be put together entirely from the world-class art collections of the region’s own museums.


The collections of the RuhrKunstMuseen range from modernist masterpieces to important positions in contemporary art and encompass important national and international art movements of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Expressionism, New Objectivity and post-war art with Art Informel, Concrete Art, Zero and Fluxus as well as the feminist avant-garde. The economic upswing prevalent in many cities in the early 20th century, triggered by industrialisation and the civic engagement of donors, patrons and employees in many places, as well as a new democratic spirit of optimism fuelling the post-war period, helping to found numerous new museums and universities, continues
to shape the region’s cultural identity to this day. This has created the conditions for a rich museum landscape with a unique character that has been growing dynamically for more than 100 years. In the Ruhr region, industrial culture and art history go hand in hand.


SPECIAL EXHIBITION 21×21


The exhibition 21×21. Die RuhrKunstMuseen auf dem Hügel opens a new chapter: for the very first time, all the museums in the network will be presenting selected highlights from their collections in a joint exhibition held at Villa Hügel in Essen. The concept of the show consists of a dialogue of works from the different collections presented in ten playfully associative themed rooms. Almost all artistic genres are represented – from painting, photography, graphic work and sculpture to multimedia installations. The spectrum ranges from works of Classical Modernism to positions of the immediate present. Internationally renowned artists meet regional positions and artist groups closely associated with the Ruhr region. The exhibition can be seen from 11 April to 27 July 2025 and offers a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive image of the museum collections of the Ruhr region.


VILLA HÜGEL


The special exhibition 21×21 will be shown in the historic Villa Hügel in the Bredeney area of Essen. The listed villa and the neighbouring 40-hectare park are owned by the non-profit Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation. With its commitment, the foundation not only ensures the preservation and maintenance of the premises, but also makes it a lively meeting place for visitors.
Villa Hügel was built between 1870 and 1873 as a residence for the Krupp family of industrialists and was lived in by four generations. In 1953, it opened its doors to the public with its first art exhibition. This was the start of an exhibition tradition that continues to this day. Exhibitions such as Sinn und Sinnlichkeit. Das Flämische Stillleben 1550–1680 (2002), Katharina Fritsch (2016) and Josef Albers.
Interaction (2018) attracted an international audience and wrote a success story that the exhibition 21×21, which is substantially supported by the Krupp Foundation, continues.


With its 399 rooms and a space of more than 11,000 square metres, Villa Hügel is not only an important industrial monument, but also a place that reflects German history in a unique way. It offers the participating museums and exhibited works an impressive historical setting in which to bring the region’s industrial culture and art historical interrelationships to life.

The complete press kit is available for download.