Innovative, monumental, sculptural: the architecture of the HafenCity. Exciting, maritime and upcoming: the art scene in Hamburg. The ideal basis for a great as well as unique project, a sculpture exhibition in Hamburg’s HafenCity.

The Kunstkompanie Hafencity e.V. is planning for the summer of 2009 an exhibition of the work of international highly reputed sculptors, which will be taking place in Hamburg’s HafenCity.

With the exhibition „SkulpturenSommer 2009“, the Kunstkompanie ist presenting an art event whose reputation will be reflected internationally and which will point out the position of Hamburg as an city of arts in a sustainable way. Corresponding to the immense urbanistic development which was initiated by the creation of the HafenCity, the sculpture exhibition should also be called „Change“ whereas the reference to a maritime ambiance is desirable but not required.

The promenades become strolling pathways, the terraces become podests, the free areas between the buildings become exciting eye-catchers, the HafenCity as an ideal synthesis between architecture and sculpture, the HafenCity as a big open air gallery.

The diverse and extraordinarily formal language of the architecture within the HafenCity creates the ideal frame to present contemporary art in a public scope and thus animate the visitors and provide them some unique and sensual experiencies. By integrating the sculptures into the situation of the HafenCity, the general public can contemplate the artists’ works in everyday life without having to haunt a specific exhibition area.

Because of the specific urbanistic situation and the quality of the selected sculptors and sculptures respectively, this project will attract large national and international interest. Aufgrund der spezifischen städtebaulichen Situation und der Qualität der ausgewählten Bildhauer bzw. Skulpturen wird dieses Projekt eine grosse nationale und internationale Aufmerksamkeit erregen.

A whole series of events for several groups will be integrated into the project „SculptureSummer“:

• An international symposium for sculptors, encompassing the creation of sculptures on site as well as a conference is planned to take place in Hamburg during the summer of 2009.
• Close cooperation with educational institutions like schools, adult educational centres, academies, the tourist centre in Hamburg and others is planned.
• Events which will bring an international group of experts to Hamburg and therefore strengthen Hamburg’s reputation as a city of art are planned.

The exhibition will be inaugurated during a great Vernissage taking place at the Marco-Polo terraces. During the exhibition in summer there will be offered qualified guided tours by art historians, also combined with the gangways of the HafenCity GmbH. A catalogue will be published documenting the artistic and urbanistic aspects of the project. Of course, this exhibition also will offer a bridging of Hamburg’s cultural scene – especially between Hamburg’s sculptors – and the international scene.