Must-visit museums and theatres in Dusseldorf, Germany

Divided into two separate buildings, K20 at Grabbeplatz and K21 in the Standehaus, this renowned institution features a number of temporary and permanent exhibitions. Expect to find major works by European masters such as Klee, Matisse, Mondrian and Picasso at K20 as well as those from American artists, including Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Jasper John. The collections at avant-garde gallery K21 (below) focus on international art pieces that were created post-1980.

A number of classic and contemporary works are juxtaposed inside this eclectic museum. In addition, there’s an impressive permanent glassware exhibition (below) capturing over 3,500 years of glass-making through its 3,000 works on display.

The focus at this international exhibition centre is on photography as well as popular and digital culture. It’s a collaborative space where group and solo exhibitions, festivals, seminars, workshops and film screenings take place – all designed to promote dialogue about issues facing today’s society.

Situated in a historic roundhouse for locomotives, this museum boasts a huge collection of classic and luxury vintage vehicles. Garages, shops for spare parts, apparel, model cars and accessories are all found at this car connoisseur’s centre too.

Dusseldorf’s old dockland has reinvented itself over the last 20 years and its MedienHafen is the place to go for a contemporary architecture fix. There, you’ll find a sweep of buildings designed by renowned national and international architects such as David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi. You can’t miss Frank Gehry’s buildings: a family of white plaster, red brick and stainless steel structures that lean at crooked angles (below).

Housed in a former storehouse in MedienHafen, KAI 10’s free exhibitions promote current young artists and experimental practices. Displays often include supporting programmes such as film evenings, artist dialogues and talks.

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Dusseldorf’s Schauspielhaus or main theatre building is housed in a striking, organic-shaped white structure, that was designed to look like a sculpture. Plays from ancient times to the present take to the stages in its great and small halls.

With more than 1,750 seats in total, the Capitol Theater is the largest in Dusseldorf. It’s set in the heart of the city (inside a historic tram depot) and the line-up offered is nothing short of top-class. Current highlights include musicals like Billy Elliott, Cats, Dirty Dancing and Starlight Express.

Originally designed as a grand planetarium, this establishment is quite easily Germany’s most exquisite concert hall. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, who come to enjoy a variety of classical music by prodigal performers and ensembles.

SEE ALSO: Essential guide to Dusseldorf, Germany

Located on the outskirts of the Old Town, between Hofgarten and Konigsallee, this theatre is the place to see The Deutsche Oper am Rhein, one of the largest opera ensembles in the world, and the Ballett am Rhein Dusseldorf Duisburg perform.

– TEXT BY TIFFANY ESLICK
PHOTOS: KUNSTSAMMLUNG NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN FACEBOOK, NRW FORUM DUSSELDORF, B. BABIC, CLASSIC REMISE FACEBOOK, CAPITOL THEATER, TONHALLE DUSSELDORF FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, DUSSELDORF TOURISM
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.