Max Hetzler's Weidingen Foundation Transforms Eifel Village into Art Destination

Weidingen, a village in the Südeifel region, has emerged as a prominent art destination thanks to the foundation set up by gallerist Max Hetzler. At its core is 'Ömega Man,' a striking sculpture by Albert Oehlen, measuring 6.5 meters in height and 8.5 meters in width, unveiled in 2023. Hetzler and his wife, Samia Saouma, established the foundation in 2012 after acquiring a 17th-century farmhouse from architect Oswald Mathias Ungers. The foundation also features a 1968 sculpture by Hans Josephsohn and maintains a library with approximately 3,000 volumes from various artists. Additionally, a storage area for Inge Mahn's sculptures is located beneath the 'Ömega Man' base. Weidingen, home to 180 residents, is situated 90 minutes from Cologne, close to the Luxembourg border.