Dortmunder Kunstverein

The Dortmunder U, also known as the U-Tower, is a striking high-rise on the western edge of downtown Dortmund that originally served as the fermentation and storage cellar of the Dortmunder Union Brewery. Designed by architect Emil Moog and put into operation in 1927, the seven-story building is made of reinforced concrete and rests on 40 pillars. Its architectural highlight is the two-tiered, lattice-shaped structure atop the main tower, which was already illuminated with floodlights as a light sculpture in the 1920s. The building became famous for its four-sided, nine-meter-high, gilded company logo, the "U," which has shaped the city's skyline since 1968. After the brewery relocated in 1994, only this landmark-protected building was preserved, while the surrounding facilities were demolished.

In 2007, the City of Dortmund acquired the site and had the vacant building converted into a center for art and creativity for RUHR.2010, when the region was European Capital of Culture. The architecture firm Gerber Architekten broke through the façade at the front, so that an open vertical art space reveals the dimensions of the interior. Additions such as oriel windows, a library, and a VIP lounge bring in extra natural light, while an observation terrace and dining areas expand the building's uses. Today the building houses the Museum Ostwall and the Hartware Medienkunstverein. Visitors can experience the historic fabric alongside modern exhibitions, including rotating special exhibitions on themes such as media art, pop culture, and social issues.

The installation "Flying Pictures" ("Fliegende Bilder") by Adolf Winkelmann, which can be seen on the crown of the roof and inside, offers a special experience. The exterior façade is fitted with thousands of LED slats that project video art depending on the time of day and hour. The motifs change depending on the occasion, such as home games of the local soccer club or holidays. The building is easy to reach, as it is within walking distance of the main train station and is served by the Westentor light rail stop. It forms an important part of Dortmund's art and culture mile, which stretches along the Königswall and connects other institutions such as the Konzerthaus and the German Football Museum.