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Locations and dates
Just ten kilometers from Bielefeld stands one of the most innovative museum buildings in the world: the MARTa Herford designed by Frank Gehry. The deconstructivist space sculpture made of red brick and stainless steel is itself an - windowless towards the street side - work of art with 2,500 square meters of exhibition space. The centerpiece of the building is a 22-meter high dome, around which five galleries are arranged.
The exhibition concept of the rotating exhibitions in the museum opened in 2005 aims to merge the traditionally separate areas of contemporary art, current design, and architecture. The content program is reflected in the name "MARTa": The art – "ART" – is flanked by "M" for furniture (as a synonym for design) and "a" for architecture. These thematic focuses are, not least, based on the traditionally strong furniture industry in the region. The declared goal of the house is to name and redefine the contradictory relationships between art and economy for a broad audience.
