Foundation KERAMION -
Centre of Modern + Historical Ceramics Frechen
The KERAMION was built in 1971. The futuristic building designed by the Cologne architect Peter Neufert was built to offer Dr. Cremer a place to exhibit his collection of modern ceramic art. It has since then become a special museum that has gained considerable public attention and that is internationally established.
The Frechen Historical Museum for Ceramics was founded in 1985 and shows the centuries-old unique pottery tradition of Frechen. Mention should be made of the world-famous Bellamine jugs.
In 2002 the Cremer Collection and the Historical Ceramic Museum of Frechen were merged into Foundation KERAMION. Since this time they have been trading under the name of Centre of Modern + Historical Ceramics Frechen in the characteristic building on Bonnstraße. The director of the museum is Gudrun Schmidt-Esters.
The permanent presentation of the historical department shows a piece of rhenic history of ceramics: in Frechen pottery was produced that is known as Pingsdorf Ware, Rhenish Stoneware and Earthenware from the Lower Rhine. Bellamine jugs made of stoneware from the 16th until the 19th century and colourfully painted, lead glazed bowls from 18th / 19th century are typical of the local production. The collection includes 1,200 inventoried stoneware vessels and 250 pieces of Earthenware.
Ceramics from the Cremer Collection shown from a certain point of view are exhibited in rotation. The Cremer Collection includes approximately 5,000 unique ceramic objects by more than 500 artists from 35 countries. It shows a cross-section through the artistic ceramics mainly of the second half of the 20th century. The main focus lies on German ceramics. All famous European ceramic artists, however, have been taken into consideration. From vessels to free-standing sculptures, from reliefs or plates to installations, all forms are represented. This offers the visitor an extensive overview of the stylistic variety and developments of the last centuries.
In addition, special exhibitions on various topics take place on the upper floor of the museum four times a year (individual exhibitions of classical to experimental artists, national and international overview exhibitions, themed exhibitions concerning archaeological, historico-cultural or current questions, competitive exhibitions with a jury).
After merging in 2002 the situation of the KERAMION has become very interesting: a museum has developed from the City Museum for Ceramics and the former private museum, which now has a completely new structure and extended standards.
The new name speaks for itself: the KERAMION has become a centre of ceramics from history to the modern age.
Since each of the two museums already played a unique role in the German scene of museums, the concentration of exhibits increases the importance of the new museum. By including further important ceramic collections the KERAMION continues to make its mark as a collectors-museum.
The exceptional architecture has a magnetic attraction for the public. Further attractions are the museum shop and the inviting outside area. Every first Sunday in the month a free public guided tour through the KERAMION is offered. The family day that takes place once a year in autumn is very popular. In addition, children can celebrate their birthday in the museum and couples can get married in the KERAMION.
The museum can also be rented for special occasions.
Foundation KERAMION
In March 2002 the Cremer Collection and the Historical Ceramic Museum of Frechen were merged into Foundation KERAMION - Centre of Modern + Historical Ceramics Frechen. The KERAMION is a legally responsible foundation according to civil law.
The founders are:- Dr. Gottfried Cremer (†)
- Deutsche Steinzeug Cremer & Breuer AG
- Verein für Keramische Kunst e.V. Frechen
- Stadt Frechen
- Landschaftsverband Rheinland
- "Wirtschaft für KERAMION":
- GEW Rheinenergie AG
- Gießharzwerk Frechen AG
- Kreissparkasse Köln
- Quarzwerke GmbH
Visitor/ target group:
The museum stands for tradition. It expresses the old pottery city of Frechen and even more.
The regional attachment to Frechen and the further area of the Euregio is based on the presentation of archaelogical finds of Rhenic Stoneware. This historico-cultural aspect does not only attract people interested in local history but also a national and international specialist public. The very popular Bellamine jugs in Asia are exemplary. This also shows in the number of fakes.
On the basis of this tradition the KERAMION shows significant post-war examples with the Cremer Collection. This classical ceramics receives attention throughout Europe.
The present number of visitors of the KERAMION alone is 6,000 to 8,000 per year. Due to the new structure of the museum and the extended target group an increase is to be expected.
Due to exhibitions with artists who currently are working with clay in a very experimental-artistic way, the group of interested people is extended to Cologne, the city of art. In order to open the KERAMION even more and to confront the public with new ideas and questions, a corresponding exhibition takes place once a year.
In the so-called free art artistic work with clay still often has the reputation to be only-craftsmanship. On the other hand, more and more artists from the free scene are discovering this material and its manifold qualities (there has, for example, been a considerable increase of exhibitions in the Cologne Museum Ludwig over the last few years!). At this point the KERAMION does not only have the unique possiblitiy to only participate in an indicated development in the art scene, but also to form it with a clear aim: to break open the circle of ceramic art und to make clear how interesting, innovative and socially relevant artistic work with clay can be.
Exhibits
The Cremer Collection includes approximately 5,000 unique ceramic objects by more than 500 artists from 35 countries. It shows a cross-section through the artistic ceramics mainly of the second half of the 20th century. The main focus lies on German ceramics. All famous European ceramic artists, however, have been taken into consideration. From vessels to free-standing sculptures, from reliefs or plates to installations, all forms are represented. This offers the visitor an extensive overview of the stylistic variety and developments of the last centuries.
The historical department shows a piece of rhenic ceramics history: in Frechen pottery was produced that is known as Pingsdorf Ware, Rhenish Stoneware and Earthenware from the Lower Rhine. Bellamine jugs made of stoneware of the 16th until the 19th century and colourfully painted, lead glazed bowls of the 18th /19th century are typical of the production of Frechen.