Thousands flock to a coal power plant for a captivating art showcase - Festival draws thousands to coal power plant for artistic showcase
In the heart of Chemnitz, Germany, the Begehungen art festival is making a striking statement by transforming a decommissioned lignite (coal) power plant, Heizkraftwerk Nord, into a vibrant venue for contemporary art. The power plant, which ceased operations at the beginning of 2024, now serves as a backdrop for immersive, site-specific installations that critically address environmental and societal issues under the festival’s 2025 theme, EVERYTHING IS INTERACTION.
This year's event, part of the official program of Chemnitz 2025 - European Capital of Culture, features 32 international artists presenting a diverse range of works including installations, photographs, sculptures, drawings, video, and sound art. Approximately a quarter of the artworks are site-specific, developed through artist residencies specifically for the former power plant’s industrial spaces.
Notable artists involved include Lara Almarcegui, Olaf Nicolai, Henrike Naumann, and Hito Steyerl, among others. One of Steyerl’s installations, for instance, features an LED wall made of beer crates, bottles, and living plants in one of the former water tanks, generating image and sound content from the bioelectrical signals of the plants.
The festival, which runs daily from noon to 8 PM until August 17, 2025, offers more than just art exhibitions. It also includes concerts, readings, lectures, and performances, fostering a broad cultural program within the industrial heritage context. Music stages featuring local DJs add to the festive atmosphere.
The location is also home to a famous chimney art piece called "7 colours for a chimney" by French artist Daniel Buren, which has become a landmark within the space.
The Begehungen festival, which has previously revitalized deserted locations like a former prison, an abandoned swimming pool, an old train station, and an abandoned palace, is not only a celebration of contemporary art but also a testament to Chemnitz's commitment to cultural discourse and community engagement as it prepares for its role as the European Capital of Culture in 2025.
The current exhibition of the art festival in the power plant attracted approximately 8,500 visitors in the first week, a promising sign of the festival's resonance with the public. One installation, "Aural Dissipation" by Valeria Zane and Victor Nebbiolo di Castri, uses the former cooling tower of the power plant as a sound space, interpreting different states of water acoustically starting from the sound of a harp.
In summary, Begehungen in Chemnitz is more than just an art festival. It's a creative hub that brings together artists, audiences, and the community to engage in thought-provoking discussions about the environment, society, and the interaction between humans and nature.
The Begehungen art festival, with its robust employment policy, invites a diverse roster of international artists to create site-specific installations, fostering sustainable living and active dialogue on environmental and societal issues. The festival's lifestyle, influenced by home-and-garden aesthetics, is reflected in the use of organic materials, such as plants and living organisms, within its installations.
