Lead

The 16th edition of Manifesta, the European nomadic biennial for contemporary art and urban development, is underway in the Ruhr region of western Germany. Under the title "This is not a church," the event features commissioned works by international artists installed inside 12 churches that have fallen out of use in the cities of Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, and Gelsenkirchen.

The initiative comes against a backdrop of significant decline in church attendance across Germany, particularly in the Ruhr area, where dozens of places of worship are deconsecrated each year. The biennial aims to explore new uses for these vacant sacred spaces.

Coverage Comparison

This report is based primarily on information from Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's public international broadcaster. The DW coverage emphasizes the cultural and architectural significance of the project, focusing on the historical context of postwar church building in the region. It does not delve into potential controversies or criticisms surrounding the use of religious spaces for secular art, nor does it provide perspectives from local congregations or religious authorities. The reporting is informative, with a neutral tone, and relies on expert commentary to frame the narrative.

Key Claims

  • The 16th edition of Manifesta is taking place in the Ruhr region of Germany. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • Twelve churches that have fallen out of use are being repurposed as venues for commissioned art installations in Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, and Gelsenkirchen. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • The project includes a large-scale installation by German artist Emil Walde, made from old, damaged wired-glass windows sourced from Duisburg Central Station, displayed within the confessional booths of a church. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • St. Anna Church in Gelsenkirchen is hosting an exhibition with works by internationally known artists such as Ming Wong, Philipp Gufler, and Cana Bilir-Meier, and will also feature a basketball game inside the church. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • The Ruhr region has experienced a sharp decline in church attendance, leading to the deconsecration of dozens of churches annually. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • Postwar church architecture in Germany was shaped by modernism, with the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) building significantly more churches than the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • Architects Rudolf Schwarz and Otto Bartning were influential figures in postwar church design. (According to Deutsche Welle)
  • The emergency church program after World War II allowed communities to participate in building their own churches. (According to Deutsche Welle)

Perspectives

Artistic and Cultural Perspective

The project is presented as a way to give new life to unused churches, turning them into spaces for contemporary art and community engagement. The inclusion of a basketball game in St. Anna Church suggests an effort to make the spaces accessible and relevant to broader audiences.

Historical and Architectural Perspective

The focus on postwar church architecture highlights the region's reconstruction after World War II and the subsequent evolution of church building styles. The role of architects like Rudolf Schwarz and Otto Bartning is noted as key to understanding the architectural heritage at stake.

Social and Religious Context

The decline in church attendance is a driving factor behind the availability of these buildings. The biennial implicitly addresses the changing role of religion in German society, though the reporting does not include direct comment from religious leaders or congregants on the repurposing of sacred spaces.

Temporal Context

As of the current edition, Manifesta 16 is taking place in 2025. The events are part of a broader trend of adaptive reuse of religious buildings in Europe. No future editions or related developments have been announced in the provided information.