On Wednesday, February 6, 2025, the Alfred MFA painting cohort visited the famous Düsseldorf Kunstakademie for Rundgang, the academy’s annual show, featuring the work of academy students. The academy’s massive halls and rooms were filled with people and art – three floors of student work. The show included sculpture, painting, works on paper, video, and installation. This annual event attracts thousands of visitors, who pack the halls to witness an impressive upwelling of young, contemporary art.
Christina Puth, a graduate of the academy, and our private guide for the day, received the Alfred cohort. To see all the rooms and works, one would need a full day of exploration! Our guide Christina situated us within the halls, showed us some works that jumped out to her, and let us loose to explore on our own.
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf is a legendary art school and one of the most respected in Germany. The core of all degree programs at the academy is the students’ independent artistic activity, guided by classes led by internationally renowned artists. The goal of artistic study at the academy is to cultivate one’s artistic position, personality, and attitude. Students at the academy are hand-selected by the professors to join their classes. This system of instruction is made clear when one goes from room to room, where the professors’ influence and style become apparent. The students curate the rooms to make a cohesive presentation. Each room provides a map and guide to the works, and students leave their emails and contact information readily available at the door for those who want to connect!
The MFA students of Alfred finished their day with a tour through the Altstadt (Old Town) and down the river Rhine.
📸 Max Heaton
PAINTING MFA Alfred/Düsseldorf 