Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst

Opened in 1998, the Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig stands before you. It’s more than just a gallery. It is a vibrant hub for contemporary art, showcasing pieces created after 1945. The GfZK, as it’s known, is housed in the former Herfurth villa. This grand building, dating back to 1894, once belonged to newspaper publisher Edgar Herfurth. Architect Peter Kulka masterfully redesigned the villa, blending its Gründerzeit style with a modern, cube-shaped extension. This blend of old and new earned the project the Architekturpreis der Stadt Leipzig in 1999. Inside the villa, you’ll find not only captivating exhibition spaces but also a vast library. It holds around 30,000 volumes dedicated to contemporary art and related subjects. The GfZK’s collection is a rich tapestry of artistic expression, from paintings and sculptures to video installations and media art. It began with part of the collection from the German Business Cultural Group of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Over the years, it has grown through private donations, purchases by the Friends of the GfZK, and permanent loans. The GfZK doesn’t shy away from complex themes. Exhibitions often explore the social role of art, the legacy of the GDR, and art from Eastern and Southeastern Europe. In 2004, the GfZK expanded with the addition of GfZK-2, a new exhibition hall designed by as-if berlin wien. This flexible space, with its movable partitions, also houses the museum café. Its innovative design also garnered the Architekturpreis der Stadt Leipzig in 2005. Step into the museum’s garden, and you’ll encounter “Labyrinth,” an art installation by Olaf Nicolai. Created from upturned brooms from the Paris city cleaning service, it’s a whimsical and thought-provoking piece. The Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig is a testament to the power of art to engage, challenge, and inspire.