Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen

A quick little adventure to Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. The art was amazing and the installations were fascinating — but the security guards were so serious that I almost wondered if I’d done something wrong just by walking in. A tiny smile from them would’ve brightened the whole museum vibe. 😊

A really good art museum that has some text and also an audio guide you can access through your phone. The gallery isn't exactly arranged chronologically but it kind of is and tries to take the visitor through changes and major influences in the art world in the 1900s and some pieces are extremely recent (so technically not 20th century!) The current Chagall exhibition is also very good. My only problem was that I ran out of time as I had a dinner reservation. Would recommend highly.

They have a wonderful Mark Chagall exhibition now. Very much worth the visit but expect some queues at the entrance so it’s recommended to get tickets online. The rest of the museum is good to with works from Picsso, Matisse, Kandinsky and others

Impressive museum, a great collection considering it is relatively recent.

The new exhibition on Marc Chagall contains several significant historical mistakes. If you state that he was Russian because he was born in the Russian Empire (now Belarus), then be consistent and also acknowledge that it was the Russian Empire—not just Russia as a country—at the time of the revolution. Honestly, it’s a very poor ‘educational’ exhibition. I have visited the Marc Chagall Museum in Nice, which he created himself, and he saw himself more as Jewish rather than Russian.

A beautiful and unique building, housing an eclectic collection of canvases from Paul Klee to the present day, organised according to era and theme. Very interesting. Highly recommend using the free smartphone guided tour

I recently visited the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen and, unfortunately, my experience was overshadowed by a sense of discomfort as a person of color. While I was excited to explore the art and immerse myself in the exhibits, I couldn’t help but feel singled out by the staff. It was glaringly obvious that I was being watched more closely than other visitors, which made the experience tense and unwelcoming. I literally sat there and watched them watch me and timed how long they watched me versus other individuals. It felt very targeted and racist. As someone who values the arts and frequently visits museums, I’ve rarely felt so out of place in a space that should feel inclusive. It was disheartening to see how differently I was treated compared to others, which detracted from the beauty of the collection. I sincerely hope the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen reflects on this feedback and takes steps to ensure that all visitors feel equally welcome, regardless of their background.

Out of the countless art museums I have visited across Europe, K20 might be the only one where an elderly white staff actually walked up and warned me in German not to get too close to an artwork as I leaned in for like only two seconds to take a closer look at the brushwork texture. What’s more ridiculous was that when she approached I was already totally stepping back from my two seconds of art appreciation. I would have no idea why she felt the bizarre impulse to come over and show off her German to the (perhaps only) non German at that point and area of the exhibition. And I did not see her say a word to any of the white visitors doing the same and appreciating art. I had read some reviews mentioning similar experiences at K20 earlier. And just when I was about to finish my entire visit of the museum as well as the city, just when I thought oh nothing weird happened on me and my trip was after all pretty pleasant - WOW. Right at the very end. Some Germans really don’t miss a chance to prove how offensive and arrogant they can be.

Well, as it turned out there was an art gallery in Dusseldorf that had art that wasn't particularly modern, however this wasn't it. Rather it was one of two modern art galleries on the edge of the old city, that contains, well, a lot of modern art. While the museum does look big, it isn't actually all that big, and I almost walked out without realising that there were a couple of more floors to explore. Mind you, much of these art requires you to spend a lot more time things about it and considering it than the traditional works of art. However, once we got to the third floor we did eventually find something decent to look out. However, all this museum does basically hold is modern art.

One of the best modern art museums I've visited to date - reasonable price, beautiful building (be sure to go to the top floor and admire panoramic views of Dusseldorf), every room is packed with something new and exciting, with local and international artists. Multimedia installations everywhere. Brilliant. They were a bit unclear about their photo policy though, in some rooms I was allowed to, and in others not - this should be made clear at the start.

They change their special exhibits, but the "Window" themed exhibition on the ground floor was an interesting collection of work. Upstairs is the lasting collection with works from Picasso and Matisse to Richter. So a wide array of more "modern" art. Despite the great collection, it wasn't crowded at all, which really helped enjoying the artwork. It's not a huge museum, so if you have a few days in Dusseldorf, check this out while you're doing the Old Town. It'll only take a few hours. (Tip: Pictures are not allowed unless you sign a form at the front at get a sticker showing you can take pictures. It's barely an inconvenience.)

Tolle Austellungen, nettes Museumscafé, super Atmosphäre! Einen Besuch definitiv wert!

The exhibit at the K20, "Otto Dix, The Evil Eye," surpassed my expectations. I enthusiastically rate this museum 5-stars. The museum staff was kind and helpful and, in addition to the wonderful art, I enjoyed the relaxing café on the top floor. The K20 has changing exhibits on the ground floor, and artwork by renowned modern artists on the upper floors. The museum provided a beautiful exhibition brochure (I wish every museum provided such a detailed and interesting brochure). For a few additional Euros I purchased a K20/K21 combination ticket which included a complementary shuttle between the two museums. I was fortunate to see the Otto Dix exhibit while passing through Düsseldorf. Prior to this visit, I did not know much about the city and was very pleasantly surprised by the rich array of cultural offerings. Highly highly recommended.