Hol die rein, sonst geh’n die ein! Meuser

Meuser (b. 1947 in Essen, DE) presents his second solo exhibition Hol die rein, sonst geh’n die ein! with Ruttkowski;68 in Düsseldorf.

That’s how cultural heritage works! Because art made from scrap metal is not only an expression of creative puzzles, but also a powerful symbol of sustainability and transformation — turning old into new, industrial history into living culture, or poetically: wings to travel on.
Sheet metal joins the power of fire and ash to dedicate an unvarnished monument to the rock-hard underground mining industry. Meuser’s works unfold their impact and aura with a natural heaviness of deconstruction inherent in the material, whose playful rearrangement catches the eye and gets under the skin with ease.

Both the structure of the sculptures and the plea “Hol die rein, sonst geh’n die ein!” emphasise the protection of art and the culture of the region. These works should not be protected from rust, corrosion or other environmental influences. On the contrary, they thrive on the irritation of the metal. What they need is a different kind of care or protection in order to be preserved for a long time.

They need the eye, the observation, the love for the object that reflects life with coal and steel, not only as economic basis but also as identity-building elements of the Ruhr area. Hard work, tradition, but also change and transformation are the fundamental concepts for the Ruhr area and for Meuser. His way of “recycling” the industrial past makes visible what “life” means in the Ruhr. The physical and aesthetic side of this history lives on in his works.

Excerpt from a text by Gregor Jansen

Opening reception      16/01/2026         6 – 8PM

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