Kunst im Tunnel (Art in the Tunnel), Dusseldorf

Art in the Tunnel (KIT) is an underground exhibition space for contemporary art in Dusseldorf, which is also, and deservedly so, considered to be one of its best local landmarks for its unique construction. The gallery is housed in the so-called residual tunnel space, two meters beneath the Rhine Promenade, which was created during the construction of the Rhine bank tunnel. The exhibition room is located in the immediate vicinity of the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rheinkniebrucke, and was opened on February 10, 2007.

The 130 square meters glazed entrance pavilion was built to a design by the Dusseldorf architectural firm, Fritschi Architekten, who also developed the Rhine Promenade itself, back in 1995. The underground exhibition area of total 888 square meters is squeezed between two tunnel tubes for car traffic. The slightly curved tunnel space is 140 meters long and – tapering to a point – between eight and one meter wide. Towards the surface, two light wells, fitted with armored glass, have been created.

KIT is used for exhibiting contemporary art and is intended to complement the Dusseldorf exhibition landscape in a targeted manner. Shown here primarily are the works by young artists, graduates of the Dusseldorf Art Academy, as well as winners of the Dusseldorf Art Prize, with four planned exhibitions held each year.