Introduction

Skulptur Projekte Münster is a unique decennial exhibition that has profoundly shaped discourse around public art and sculpture since its inception in 1977. Taking place every ten years in the historical city of Münster, Germany, it invites artists from around the world to create site-specific works that respond to the urban fabric, history, and social context of the city.

Unlike traditional biennials that rely primarily on institutional spaces, Skulptur Projekte Münster unfolds across the entire urban landscape—from historical squares and parks to mundane infrastructure and peripheral neighborhoods. This expansive approach transforms Münster into a laboratory for investigating the complex relationship between art, public space, and urban life.

The extended ten-year interval between exhibitions gives artists unusual freedom to develop ambitious projects while allowing the exhibition itself to respond to generational shifts in artistic practice and urban development. Many works from previous editions have been acquired by the city, creating a remarkable open-air collection that documents the evolution of public sculpture over nearly half a century.

"Skulptur Projekte is not about the beautification of cities with sculptures. It's about the meaning of sculptural interventions in public space; about the very existence, perception, and experience of art in public."

Kasper König, Co-founder and Artistic Director (1977-2017)
Public Sculpture Site-Specific Art Urban Intervention Decennial Exhibition

Latest News

2027 Edition: New Artistic Direction

The 2027 edition marks a historic turning point for Skulptur Projekte Münster with the appointment of the international curatorial collective What, How & for Whom (WHW) as artistic directors. Comprising Ivet Ćurlin, Nataša Ilić, and Sabina Sabolović, WHW represents the first all-female artistic direction in the exhibition's 50-year history.

Founded in 1999 in Zagreb, Croatia, WHW is renowned for their innovative and socially engaged approach to curatorial practice. For the 2027 edition, they propose to explore "transnational public space" as a framework for understanding how art can address contemporary challenges including democracy, ecology, and collective life in an era of global interconnectedness.

This appointment follows the passing of longtime artistic director Kasper König in August 2024, who shaped the exhibition's vision from its founding in 1977 through the 2017 edition. The WHW collective plans to build upon this legacy while introducing new perspectives that address current social and political tensions through collaborative practices with both international artists and local communities.

"How can art in public space today meaningfully address the fragility of democracy, ecology and common life? Can it strengthen mutual respect and liberation?"

What, How & for Whom (WHW), Statement on 2027 Vision

History & Evolution

Skulptur Projekte Münster emerged in 1977 from a specific local controversy over public sculpture. When the American minimalist artist George Rickey's kinetic sculpture "Three Rotating Squares" was installed in Münster in 1975, it sparked heated debate among citizens about the role of contemporary art in public space. In response, the Westfälisches Landesmuseum (now LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur) and its director Klaus Bußmann, together with curator Kasper König, conceived Skulptur Projekte as a platform for dialogue about the relationships between art, public space, and urban life.

The exhibition was initially planned as a one-time event but its success led to its continuation on a ten-year cycle. This decennial rhythm—unusual in the contemporary art world—has become one of Skulptur Projekte's defining characteristics, allowing the exhibition to chart significant shifts in artistic practice and urban development over extended periods while giving artists substantial time to develop ambitious projects.

1977

Inaugural edition featuring 9 artists including Carl Andre, Donald Judd, Richard Serra, and Claes Oldenburg, who created the now-iconic "Giant Pool Balls" at Aasee Lake

1987

Second edition expanded to 63 artists, with significant works by Rebecca Horn, Jenny Holzer, and Richard Long, introducing more conceptual and site-responsive approaches

1997

Third edition featured 73 artists and began to address the changing nature of public space in the digital age, with notable contributions from Ilya Kabakov, Jorge Pardo, and Franz West

2007

Fourth edition with 36 artists including Susan Philipsz, Bruce Nauman, and Mike Kelley, explored globalization's impact on urban spaces and initiated a focus on urban peripheries

2017

Fifth edition, co-curated by Kasper König, Britta Peters, and Marianne Wagner, featured 35 artists and addressed themes of migration, digitalization, and urban commons

2024

Passing of Kasper König and appointment of WHW as new artistic directors for the upcoming sixth edition

2027

Upcoming sixth edition marking the exhibition's 50th anniversary, first all-female artistic direction under WHW collective

Notable Artists & Works

Throughout its five editions, Skulptur Projekte Münster has featured works by many of the world's most significant artists, resulting in numerous landmark public sculptures and interventions. While most works are temporary and dismantled after each exhibition, approximately 40 pieces have been acquired by the city or private collectors and remain permanently installed throughout Münster, creating a remarkable open-air museum of contemporary sculpture.

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Claes Oldenburg

Giant Pool Balls (1977)
Permanently installed, these monumental sculptures at Aasee Lake have become symbols of the city and are among the most iconic works from Skulptur Projekte.

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Bruce Nauman

Square Depression (2007)
Initially conceived in 1977 but realized thirty years later, this inverted pyramid creates a descending public plaza that alters visitors' spatial perception.

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Ayşe Erkmen

On Water (2017)
A temporary bridge installed just below the water's surface across the harbor basin, creating an illusion of walking on water while highlighting historical shipping routes.

Permanent Collection Highlights

Over five decades, Skulptur Projekte has left a legacy of permanent works throughout Münster. These acquired pieces form a unique collection that traces the evolution of public sculpture from the late 20th century to the present day.

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Concrete Rings

Donald Judd (1977)

Two large concrete rings placed in the Aasee park, exemplifying Judd's minimalist approach to form and space. The work creates a dialogue with the landscape through its geometric precision.

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Das Gegenläufige Konzert

Rebecca Horn (1987/1997)

An installation in the medieval Zwinger tower that transforms the former prison into a contemplative space through light, movement, and sound, addressing the site's complex history.

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Herman's Garden

Ilya and Emilia Kabakov (1997)

A walled garden containing a fictional narrative about a former resident, blending environmental art with storytelling to create an intimate public space of memory and imagination.

Video Highlights

Experience Skulptur Projekte Münster through this comprehensive video exploring the exhibition's history, impact on public art, and unique approach to transforming the urban landscape.

Venue Locations

Skulptur Projekte Münster takes place throughout the city of Münster, with works installed in parks, squares, buildings, and public spaces across the urban landscape. The LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur serves as the organizing center.