Art Cologne 2026
My first Art Cologne—by some considered the world’s oldest art fair dating back to 1967—was a fun trip! A lot less pretentious and a lot more museum-y than I expected. We had some interesting conversations with the gallerists and I was impressed how dedicatedly they introduced us to the artists and art they represent without checking whether we had the means to buy any of it. Because we really don’t! Although never have I tried harder to persuade my brain that 18,500 € is a completely appropriate price for a Vera Molnár original.
She is one of my absolute creative coding heroes and art dealer Sina Stockebrand had a couple of her works on display—including a rare hand-drawn piece backstage! The whole Stockebrand booth was amazing and full of inspiration for computer art. What a delight!
Katharina and I were also drawn to the installations of Sanna Helena Berger, for example À-propos, that I also picked as this note’s cover image. I know, I know, it would be easy to shrug it off as art shit. But a glass tumbler on the rim of a plexiglass pedestal does create a reaction and you start to wonder. I was even more captivated by Nicht ganz Standard which is a wonderfully playful expression of editorial design.
Other noteworthy art that grabbed my attention: The costume designs of Aleksandra Ekster, the paper sculptures of T.J. Mabrey, the Roman Cat on the Roof by Milan Kunc, and everything by Willi Baumeister and Walter Dexel.
It is crazy to think about how we strolled the exhibition halls in the presence of Picasso, Dix, Nolde, Warhol, and my beloved Vasarely, Kandinsky, and Miró. For me, they elevated the whole art fair from a marketplace to a gigantic museum. That said, to witness artworks being taken down from the wall and put in bubble wrap does not sit well with me. There is a lot of dissonance between art and the art market that I can’t resolve just yet. Same goes for the act of buying art that is of public interest—like early plots by Vera Molnár! Would I hang them in, I don’t know, my home office? Next to a movie poster I bought for 5 €? When they really should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy?!
Until I can answer those questions, I wallow in the reminiscences of the art I was allowed to observe. There is so much art out there! Which is both a source of immense comfort and slight intimidation.