K21 is not just a museum; it is a stunning dialogue between the past and the future. Located in the heart of Düsseldorf at the Kaiserteich, this venue is one of the two main pillars of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. While its sister site, K20, focuses on the 20th century, K21 is dedicated entirely to international contemporary art from the 21st century. Whether you are an art aficionado or an architecture lover, a visit here offers a unique perspective on the cultural landscape of modern Germany.

K21 is housed in the Ständehaus, a building with a rich political history. Constructed between 1876 and 1880 in the Historicist style, it served as the seat of the Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia until 1988. The transformation into a museum, completed in 2002 by the architectural firm Kiessler + Partner, was a feat of modern engineering. The building retains its stately four-wing structure and continuous arcades, surrounding a spacious central public piazza. However, the most striking feature is the massive glass dome that crowns the structure. This modern addition not only floods the interior with natural light but also shapes the building’s aesthetic, creating a breathtaking contrast between the 19th-century stone façade and the transparent lightness of contemporary design.

K21 offers visitors a curated journey through the art of today. The collection, under the leadership of Susanne Gaensheimer, has grown significantly to include diverse, polyphonic voices from around the globe. Spanning more than 5,300 square meters across the ground floor and upper galleries, the museum presents expansive multimedia works and installations. Permanent highlights include Reinhard Mucha’s “Das Deutschlandgerät” (The Germany Device), which has been exhibited in the former plenary chamber since the museum opened. Additionally, the museum houses the Archive of Dorothee and Konrad Fischer, offering deep dives into the history of influential gallerists and conceptual art. Recent acquisitions have strengthened the museum’s international profile, featuring groundbreaking works by artists such as:

  • Ai Weiwei
  • Hito Steyerl
  • Isa Genzken
  • Cao Fei
  • Kader Attia

The museum also hosts the K21 Global Art Award, an annual prize that enriches the collection with new, significant works.

K21 is perhaps most famous for what lies beneath its glass roof. The uppermost level is often home to large-scale, immersive installations that utilize the vast open space of the cupola. This area, which spans the sculpture garden, allows visitors to experience art in a physically engaging way, often suspended high above the ground floor piazza.