[Spoga Horse autumn 2012] Circus artists, art and Lady Gaga: cultural highlights all around the exhibition halls
3:58 pm am July 19, 2012
From 2nd to 4th September, over three days, the business fair for the equestrian sports sector is presenting trends, new products and innovations from the equestrian sports sector – from equestrian sports equipment, saddlery and leather goods up to products relating to care, health and feeding. Parallel to the comprehensive range of exhibits and information at the fair, the City of Cologne is also attracting visitors with a colourfully-structured leisure and culture programme. Be it circus artists or theatre, exhibitions or concerts given by international pop stars – at the beginning of September the cathedral city will have a great deal to offer. Here are several tips for going out to suit every taste.
Theme catering at the thriller dinner
Anyone who would like to combine culinary delights with an exciting experience, will find exactly what they are looking for on the evening of 2nd September at the “Die Jagd vom schwarzen Moor” (Hunt of the black moor) thriller dinner in the Wolkenburg. This evening promises to take people on an exciting trip into the thriller era of the 60s over a delicious candlelit dinner. While they are enjoying their food, the guests can watch what is happening and join in, as the aim is to involve them in the action.
Atmospheric circus artists at the Cirque Bouffon
On 2nd September the Cirque Bouffon is presenting its new “Solvo” programme at the Schokoladenmuseum. According to the philosophy of the “Nouveau Cirque”, an overall work of art consisting of imaginative costumes, circus artists, theatrical elements, music and dance is being presented. In this connection the organizer is promising that the artists ensemble and music especially composed for the event will take the audience to a kaleidoscope of colours, shapes and sounds.
From the Bible through to Eau de Cologne up to pop art
Up to the end of September 2012, the Noah’s Ark, Europe’s first swimming Bible theme park, will also be moored in the Rheinauhafen next to the Schokoladenmuseum. On four floors, the 70-metre long wooden reconstruction of the biblical ship is presenting a partially interactively structured exhibition from the Old and New Testaments. On 2nd September the “Farina” Fragrance Museum (Duftmuseum) is inviting you to a historic guided costume tour: an actor will be introducing visitors to the secrets and history of the world-famous Eau de Cologne, enriched by anecdotes from the Rococo period. The Wallraf-Richartz Museum, with works from Stefan Lochner through to Rembrandt up to Renoir and van Gogh, is showing a retrospective of the so-called “Sonderbundausstellung” (Exhibition of the Special League), what is probably the most important presentation of the European Moderns with art ranging from late Impressionism right up to German Impressionism up to German Expressionism, originally held in Cologne in 1912. The Museum Ludwig, famous for its outstanding Picasso and Pop Art presentation, is also showing an exhibition on Claes Oldenburg, one of the great names in American Pop Art.
Plant art and international bird airport
The fact that you can create exciting works of art using earth and plants will be shown in the “Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland” (Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany) in the neighboring city of Bonn. Here an exhibition is being held on Anselm Kiefer, one of the most significant international artists of our time. His paintings fascinate not least due to their exceptional materials – thickly applied paint layers, earth, lead, varnish, plants, clothing or hair. Incidentally, the rooftop garden of the Bundeskunsthalle will be playing host to an international bird airport up to autumn 2012 – an artists’ project on the theme of art and nature conservation, which with wild flower meadows, nesting boxes, feeding areas and elements for birds approaching and taking off, is offering landing facilities for domestic and migrating bird species.
Lady Gaga and Coldplay at the close of the fair
On 4th September no less than two pop concerts of superlative class will be on the agenda: with her “The Born This Way Ball” tour, Lady Gaga will be rocking the LANXESS arena not far from the exhibition halls. Fans of the five-time Grammy winner should not miss this concert, because the artist is only giving two concerts in Germany during her Europe tour. On the same evening British band Coldplay will be performing at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. This is also just one of four concerts in Germany during the Open Air Tour by the Britpop band, which incidentally has already won seven Grammys and diverse other music awards.
