Art in parallel to Nature | Insel Hombroich
Photo by James Retief
It was a warm autumn day in early November when photographer James Retief and I made the journey to the outskirts of Neuss, Germany to explore the 62 acres meadow and woodlands known as Museum Insel Hombroich. One of the lesser known, but most enriching European museums I’ve ever visited. After a six-hour road trip through the euro tunnel and down busy highways we arrived. However it was until we exited the visitors center and descended the staircase over the steep hill into the meadow we realised why it’s called the island.
You suddenly enter a quiet oasis and a feeling of separation from the surrounding world.
Insel Hombroich was created by art collector Karl-Heindrich Müller, in a pursuit for a new way to showcase art among nature. In 1982 Müller bought an over grown and forgotten villa (Rosa Haus) with a vast meadow, hidden beside an old NATO missile base, which he would later also acquire. In collaboration with artists Gotthard Graubner, sculptor Erwin Heerich and landscape designer Bernhard Korte they created a museum that comprise of 11 pavilions dotted across the landscape. These pavilions, or as Muller referred to them “walk-in sculptures” housed a curation of a wide range of deliberately unlabeled artworks from some of the most renowned artists, works from Alexander Calder, Hans Arp, Yvie Klein, Henri Matisse and Rembrant to name a few of my favourite.
Photo by James Retief
Passing through the formative processes of nature and then stepping into the buildings, you will find the specifically human power of design – that is, art.
Erwin Heerich
It was in 1990 that Müller purchased neigshbouring Kirkbey Fields and the former NATO Missile Base. He continued his mission to connect the visitors to nature by commissioned new series of pavilions by renowned architects, including Àlvaro Siza. As you explore the old NATO base, now named Raketenstation Hombroich, between the modern pavilions you will see a handful of restored old bunkers that have been converted into artist residences and studio’s.
What makes Insel Hombroich such a unique museum experience is the sense of freedom to explore and discover at your own pace. There is no suggested route or signage, and as you enter each pavilion it’s architecture reinforces your connection to nature through its placement of openings. We often found ourselves the only visitor in a pavilion, granted us the opportunity to fully take in the architecture, art, and the beautiful quiet surroundings.
Pavillion by Architect Àlvaro Siza, Raketenstation Hombroich
Photography by James Retief
You can learn more about Insel Hombroich from their website or instagram