The Marta in Herford, East Westphalia, is one of the most exciting and spectacular museum buildings in the world. Designed by star architect Frank Gehry, the building stands in the city like a work of art in its own right and has since developed into a place where questions about the present meet ideas of tomorrow.
The idea was to set an unmistakable example for the region and to construct a building in which art, business and society are brought together. With the Marta, which opened in 2005, the city of Herford has more than succeeded. The breathtaking museum building with its undulating stainless steel roofscape and the tilting and flowing red brick walls ties in with the town's tradition as a location for the textile and clothing industry. The straight lines and right angles of an integrated factory building of the Ahlers textile factory form exciting contrasts to the almost dance-like choreography of the main building, which is also continued inside the building.
Combining architecture and art
But the building is not the only thing worth seeing. Although still relatively young, the Marta already has a collection of around 400 works of contemporary art of international standing. It is primarily large-format and spatial works, such as Panamarenko's "Papaver" or Reinhard Mucha's "Halver. The Bread of the Early Years", which form a very special connection with the architecture of the building. Parts of the collection are presented in changing, themed exhibitions. These always explore current issues in art, design and architecture and encourage visitors to explore these themes and engage with new trends.
Marta Herford is always on the move. A feeling that visitors also get during an architectural tour at the latest.
The stylish Marta Café is the perfect place to round off a visit to the museum - and in summer there is also an outdoor terrace overlooking the small river Aa.
