The dilemma of one of the most attractive art areas in Europe

For a year now, the Insel Hombroich Foundation has had a new managing director, Roland Nachtigäller. That doesn't sound like exciting news at first. But the spectacular landscape and building ensemble in Neuss, which consists of the Museum Island Hombroich, a former rocket station and the Kirkeby field on an area of ​​around 34 hectares, is one of the most attractive art areas in Europe. Therefore, it deserves special attention. In addition, in recent years one could get the impression that the institution had lost its appeal. Most art lovers have long been familiar with the exhibition pavilions, which Karl-Heinrich Müller, the founder of the museum ensemble, equipped with his own collection 35 years ago. Müller had ruled out a change in the presentation of European and Asian works of art in the foundation's statutes. And now the pavilions designed by the architect Erwin Heerich are showing their age.

Roland Nachtigäller, who, as director of the Marta Museum in Herford, has maintained an ambitious exhibition business for many years, has to rethink Hombroich. His attention is initially focused on the 43 buildings in the area. First he slipped into the role of a site manager. Because the two largest exhibition locations, the "Twelve Rooms House" and the "Labyrinth", are dilapidated and are currently being renovated for around 15 million euros - including geothermal heating and new roofs.

In addition, it is Nachtigäller's job to keep the cultural landscape attractive for visitors. This is not an easy task, because after all, Karl-Heinrich Müller wanted "no advertising". The founder, who died in 2007, decreed this. As an experienced museum man, Nachtigäller naturally knows that you can attract an audience with special exhibitions that are also advertised. However, the foundation is not well staffed for a functioning exhibition business. There is no curator and, even more surprisingly, no museum educator. The eight artists who live on the island occasionally do guided tours. However, it is doubtful whether these modern museum-educational requirements are met.

Skeptical about all educational efforts, Karl-Heinrich Müller once said: "Perhaps the island can only be experienced, not described." The saying shows the dilemma in which Nachtigäller finds himself. There is room for his ideas of attracting a younger audience with programs for new literature and music, but not for more. However, it would be a pity if such a prominent curator could no longer put on major exhibitions – also for the island.