The Fruchthalle Municipal Gallery introduces itself

The building, which was converted into the Fruchthalle Municipal Gallery, was inaugurated in 1993 and has been Rastatt's art museum ever since. Built in 1854, the Frucht- und Mehlhalle of the former federal fortress of Rastatt was used as a municipal hall until the BadnerHalle was built in 1989. Changing individual and group exhibitions are held regularly in the Fruchthalle Municipal Gallery in Rastatt.

The focus is on contemporary art and art historical works after 1945. Works from the museum's own collection are also an integral part of the program. These are juxtaposed with young, up-and-coming positions in contemporary art. The format "Ramp Fruchthalle" offers young artists and students the opportunity to present their works to a wider public.

Yesterday and Today: "Fruity Windows" and Muses Head

The contract to convert the building into an exhibition house and museum was awarded to the well-known Karlsruhe architect Helmut Bätzner, who from 1990 onwards converted the striking building into a gallery with cafeteria. As a sign of its old and new use, the exterior of the listed building was given a belt of 19 majolica round window fillings in bright "fruit colors" by a careful "Kunst am Bau" design. Above the entrance, there is also a bronze head created by Jürgen Goertz, representing a muse of the fine arts.

Postmodern basilica

The interior of the gallery was divided into several levels, which have a total exhibition area of 500 square meters and are connected with each other by a generously designed ramp and stairs. Helmut Bätzner divided the first floor and provided each level with a modern luminous ceiling. He created vistas between the floors and thus an architecture that constantly opens up new lines of sight.

Light and steel

The lower floor, which is widely laid out, refers to the basic form of a basilica and suggests both a cruciform structure and clerestory windows. This sacred impression is reinforced by the ceiling arches. An equally important element are the steel girders, which develop an almost sculptural quality and blend the coexistence of different architectural features into a postmodern mix of styles.