the Space

The Art Foundation is housed in a factory erected in the 19th century, which proved to be a lucky for the art in all respects.
Located in the up-and-coming area of Flingern in the eastern part of the city of Düsseldorf, its history can be traced from its industrial commercial roots to its modern day conversion.    

1910

In the beginning of the XX century the architect Carl Moritz constructed a baking factory, which included a storage area for colonial goods and a car pool/vehicle fleet for the "Allgemeinen Consumverein freies Rheinland". The Consumption Associations/Consumer Cooperatives made a name for themselves in the retail industry through the buying and selling of edible and luxury food, as well purchasing other goods for daily demand. The establishment of the Consumption Associations was initiated by consumers and social reforms to advance the standard of living in the industrial and explosively growing cities, through the cheap provision of goods. The motto was: in hard times you stick together and help each other.

 

1973

In the 70's, the baking factory was closed down and was scheduled to be demolished. Through initiative of Hans Peter Zimmer, now a listed brick architecture, the factory was rescued. Since then, the spacious area with 10.000 square meters has attracted liberal arts and the underground culture. During the end of the 80's, the space now named CON-SUM, was a preferred accommodation and alternative for the Düsseldorf art scene compared to other fancy art places around town. Since then, the industrial rooms have been used as studios and rehearsal rooms. The space, "Kunstraum," operated by artists themselves, arose apart from the subsidized art of the politics of cultures. Since 1988, temporary exhibitions have been frequently presented.

 

2011–2012

At the turn of the year, an art center will be officially launched to help recreate the former CON-SUM area.

The Hans Peter Zimmer Foundation wants to create an open, living space where artists, curators and guests will be challenged to experiment and exchange idiosyncratic installations and ideas.