ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Kunstverein Siegen Turns Vacant Karstadt into Exhibition Space

exhibition · 2026-05-17

Kunstverein Siegen is gearing up to launch an exhibition called '_ _ _STADT' at the old Karstadt department store and Haus Seel. This project is turning an unused retail space in the heart of the city into a temporary exhibition venue. Partnering with the Neue Architekturschule Siegen (N_AS) from the University of Siegen, the space will serve as a testing ground for exhibitions, research, and spatial practices. The opening is on March 14 at 6 pm and will feature artists like Ada Van Hoorebeke, Alwin Lay, and Amedeo Polazzo. Mayor Tristan Vitt will greet guests, with introductions from Jennifer Cierlitza and Prof. Tobias Hönig. Located on level -2 at Kölner Straße 1, 57072 Siegen, the exhibition will delve into urban transformation and public spaces.

Key facts

  • Exhibition '_ _ _STADT' opens in former Karstadt building and Haus Seel, Siegen
  • Developed with Neue Architekturschule Siegen (N_AS) at University of Siegen
  • Features 12 artists/collectives: Ada Van Hoorebeke, Alwin Lay, Amedeo Polazzo, Ana Navas, Erika Hock, Ida Kammerloch, Karla Zipfel, Paula Erstmann, Sarah & Charles, Samuel Treindl, SpätiSpäti, Yoel Pytowksi
  • Opening: March 14, 6 pm, with Mayor Tristan Vitt, Jennifer Cierlitza, Prof. Tobias Hönig
  • Venue: level -2, former Karstadt building, Kölner Straße 1, 57072 Siegen
  • Site is a vacant department store on 'Germany's steepest shopping street'
  • Accompanying program includes salons, lectures, film screenings, guided tours, performances
  • Project treats vacancy as a space of possibility, not deficit

Entities

Artists

  • Ada Van Hoorebeke
  • Alwin Lay
  • Amedeo Polazzo
  • Ana Navas
  • Erika Hock
  • Ida Kammerloch
  • Karla Zipfel
  • Paula Erstmann
  • Sarah & Charles
  • Samuel Treindl
  • SpätiSpäti
  • Yoel Pytowksi
  • Jennifer Cierlitza
  • Tobias Hönig
  • Tobias Becker
  • Tristan Vitt

Institutions

  • Kunstverein Siegen
  • Neue Architekturschule Siegen (N_AS)
  • University of Siegen

Locations

  • Siegen
  • Germany
  • former Karstadt building
  • Kölner Straße 1
  • Haus Seel

Sources