In each VIVID, we present three start-ups from Düsseldorf and the surrounding area - usually in line with the current issue's theme. But what about art? Are there any fresh ideas from Düsseldorf? Fresh art ideas, so to speak? Of course there are! As the art capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf is a rich breeding ground not only for young artists but also for art-loving entrepreneurs. Since 2021, Start Art Week - the first ever business start-up event for arts and culture professionals - has been proof of just how present the subject is among young people in our city. More than 1,700 people took part in the first year, so a continuation is highly desirable. For the fourth year, workshops, conferences, knowledge and networking formats will be held for ten days from 23 August. Everything will revolve around the entrepreneurial issues and challenges facing players in the arts industry at the start of their careers. Three of them have already successfully taken the first steps: ARTPIQ, grotesk.group and Kunst100.

BOLD DESIGNS, FREE AND HEADSTRONG

The grotesk.group uses experimental methods to create so-called post-internet art. See them here: Still from the exhibition artwork "The Divine Algorithm – Lust"

What happens when four technically adept, creative minds throw out the rules of their profession and decide to create art independently and daringly? Harald Schaack, Denis Sokolowski, Nelly Selcho and Tim Hunkemöller wanted to find out, so they founded grotesk.group in 2022. Using a wide range of digital and audiovisual media, the creative collective creates bold designs that incorporate the latest technological developments such as generative AI and computer-aided data processing. The work of the four Düsseldorfers is attracting attention. In just over a year of existence, they have already realised successful projects with well-known brands such as Nike, Mercedes, Iris van Herpen and Beatport. "We are proud of the trust our clients place in us," says Harald Schaack. "Our approaches and tools are often so new and experimental that you have to be prepared to accept 'uncertainties' in the (creative) process. This creative freedom is what really brings our approach to life. The collective's exhibitions and installations are a talking point, and the four recently took home the "Best Austrian Animation Award" for their collaboration with the Austrian band "Bilderbuch". Next year, grotesk.group hopes to open its own gallery. "The more kinds of dialogue we can have, the better," explains Harald. "That way we can walk the tightrope between modern techniques and criticism of them - and establish ourselves as post-internet artists with a strong sense of contemporary style".•

Still from the grotesk.group music video "neromun - moma"

GROTESK.GROUP
CRANACHPLATZ 1
40235 DÜSSELDORF
WWW.GROTESK.GROUP

JUMP-START FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

With her start-up ARTPIQ, Katharina Wenzel-Vollenbroich provides a platform for young artists to successfully break into the art scene.

Finished your art studies - now what? "Even for really talented artists, it's difficult to break into the art market," says art expert Katharina Wenzel-Vollenbroich. "Most young artists don't have a large buyer base and often don't have a plan for marketing themselves." That's why, while still a student, the Düsseldorf-born artist founded her start-up ARTPIQ, an online gallery for young and contemporary art. "With ARTPIQ, we want to make it easier for young artists to start their careers and show newcomers to the art world that it is possible to buy original and unique works of art on a budget." If you don't want to buy right away, you can rent an artwork without any risk. After about six years on the market, ARTPIQ has found its place in the art world. The online gallery has become a mixture of online sales platform and art trade. The collection now comprises more than 1,000 works. And the clientele has also changed: while ARTPIQ initially focused on private individuals, Katharina and her team are now furnishing more and more doctors' surgeries, hotels and offices with art. Katharina actively supports around 20 to 30 selected up-andcoming talents in marketing their art - be it in the online gallery, on Instagram or, in the future, with face-to-face events such as collectors' dinners. "Many of our first artists are now represented by established galleries or institutions and have managed to make a living from their art," says Katharina. "To me, these are the best success stories.“ •

GENUINE ART FOR EVERYONE

Kunst100 offers "real art for everyone". One example is "Flowerpot in light orange" by Lily Gehrke.

Art is only for the rich? Not so, say Lisa Kostenko and Niklas Mallmann. With their start-up Kunst100, they want to do their bit to make art accessible to everyone. Real works of art can be bought from the online gallery for as little as 50 euro. "Kunst100 is a new kind of gallery," says founder Niklas. "We have proper art for everyone - and it doesn't have to be complicated. We present the works in our digital gallery and tell a little story about each piece. In this way, we bring it closer to everyone who is interested. Digital technologies such as e-commerce, AR and cloud services help us to do this. The team scours academies, studios and social media for suitable artistic talent. But proactive applications are also welcome, says founder Lisa: "There are no specific application requirements. We just want to promote artists and bring more diversity to the art scene. We know all our artists personally and select each work individually. In addition to showcasing the artwork in their online gallery, Lisa, Niklas and their team are constantly coming up with additional activities to showcase the artwork, such as pop-up galleries in different cities or the weekly "Art Drop". New artworks are curated every week and put online for sale on Thursdays. The initiative is accompanied by a newsletter with regular updates. Last year, Kunst100 moved from Berlin to Düsseldorf. “Even though the capital is often in the spotlight, NRW is also a real art metropolis," says Lisa. •

Every week, Kunst100 curates new artworks, which are offered for sale online on Thursdays.

KUNST100 UG
HOFFELDSTR. 98
40235 DÜSSELDORF
WWW.KUNST100.COM

Words: Maria Leipold
Pictures: stink, florian huelbig, grotesk.group, ARTPIQ, Jana Stormanns

Fresh Ideas from Düsseldorf