Dusseldorf profile: Angela Fette

Artist and musician Angela Fette shares her personal recommendations on art and culture in Düsseldorf, and talks about the vibrant music scene and the wine bar with the best atmosphere in the city.

How long have you lived in Düsseldorf and what do you do here?

I have lived in Düsseldorf since 2001. I moved here from Frankfurt to complete my studies at the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts. I work as an artist. I have my studio and my network of contacts here. This includes friends and acquaintances as well as the many artists I collaborate with and take inspiration from. Aside from that, I am actively involved in electronic music. I also regularly host philosophical ‘salons’ at my studio under the banner ‘Eyes Wide Shut’.

What is your favourite cultural venue in town? 

The Kunstsammlung NRW art collection at the Ständehaus and on Grabbeplatz square, and the Salon des Amateurs.

Any landmark or place that you particularly love to show visitors?  

The beaches on the Rhine near Lörick and just the river Rhine in general. The Rhine promenade, Rhine park, the left and right banks.

Is there a piece of art or music that embodies Düsseldorf for you?  

‘Spiegelsaal’ by Kraftwerk and the electronic music that was influenced by Kraftwerk and other artists, such as Kreidler, Toroccoco Rot, Harmonious Thelonious, Toresch, Lena Willikens, and the musicians and DJs, some of whom emerged from the Salon des Amateurs. And Katharina Fritsch’s work at the Kunstsammlung NRW.

Is there a museum or gallery that you have always wanted to see, but you haven’t found the time yet?  

The exhibition space at the pool.

What cultural institution in and around Düsseldorf would you recommend? 

The sculpture hall of the Thomas Schütte Foundation in Neuss, a unique building with beautiful exhibitions.

Which artist from Düsseldorf’s rich cultural history would you like to be able to have a chat with?  

I get to talk to contemporary artists who are important to me all the time ;-). A figure from the past? Heinrich Heine.

What is your architectural highlight of Düsseldorf?

I love the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus theatre by Bernhard Pfau and Bernhard Sehring. The Church of St Roch on Prinz-Georg-Strasse by Paul Schneider-Esleben, a work of post-war modernism. I also find the brutalist architecture of the Kunsthalle art gallery striking as well as the KIT - Kunst im Tunnel and the opera house.

Which neighbourhood of Düsseldorf is your favourite part of town and why? 

During the week: the Old Town around Ratinger Strasse, where there are nice little places to sit outside and there’s a lively atmosphere. At the weekend: Derendorf, but partly out of convenience because I live there. The city centre is too crowded at the weekend.

Who makes the best coffee in town?  

Da Forno, an ice-cream parlour in Derendorf.

And what is your favourite place for a dinner out with friends? 

Die Kurve, an Israeli restaurant in Derendorf, but only since the Sennhütte closed. That used to be my favourite place. I am hoping it will re-open soon. If you only want a light bite, then Kakhaber, a wine bar on Rethelstrasse. They serve light snacks and excellent Georgian wines as well as natural wines. And you can’t beat the laid-back vibe.

Your favourite bar/club?

Salon des Amateurs

And where is the best place to get a pure taste of Düsseldorf? 

The Rhine promenade.

Where do you go to relax?

Rheinpark, Lörick beach, or I ride my bike to Kaiserswerth.

What would be your pick for a souvenir to take home from Düsseldorf? 

A vinyl record from Hitsville on Wallstrasse.

Which hotel would you recommend to out-of-town guests? 

Hotel Ufer: a cosy place that tends to be popular with artists and musicians, and people with an interest in the arts scene or DJs doing sets at the Salon des Amateurs.

This article is supported by REACT-EU.

Title image: Düsseldorf Tourism