Der Kleine Laden

Since 2025, PACT Zollverein invites with the project ›Der Kleine Laden‹ artistic positions to participate in a special exhibition project in the northern district of Essen. ›Der Kleine Laden‹, a former shop with a generous window facade, is a platform for artistic exploration of key global issues and their significance for the neighbourhood, its residents and the Ruhr Area as a whole.

The two exhibitions in 2025 focused on theme of water. Through an open call, local artists from the Ruhr area and North Rhine-Westphalia in particular were invited to apply with artistic contributions. Existing works that examine the theme of water as a natural phenomenon, resource, and/or cultural symbol from different perspectives could also be submitted, including projects that feature a multisensory approach and integrate sound, language, light, smells, objects, and video.

The first exhibition of the year, ›Wasser und andere Kostbarkeiten‹, was on view between June 27 and August 22 and explored the appeal of water as a source of life and a place of human encounter. In collaboration with Konstantin Pütz, Gregor Leiprecht transformed the exhibition space into a pub, a living room and a karaoke bar – with a fountain in the centre from which water gushes, flooding the area and literally making the gathering ‘fluid’.
On September 20, the second exhibition on the annual theme of water followed with ›Über Flüssigkeit – überflüssig – Überflüssigkeit‹ that featured works by artist Kira Fröse. It engaged with the topic of water, although the exhibition space has neither a water connection nor a toilet. Artist Kira Fröse elaborated on this ironic contradiction with an installation of a wet room in which, however, nothing was wet.

The exhibitions at Der Kleine Laden were designed so that the works can be seen and experienced through the shop window, which serves as an interface between private and public space. At selected times, the space was opened to enable direct exchange with visitors and the neighborhood. The exhibitions were framed by a multi-layered, transdisciplinary program of performances and readings including some at WerkStadt, as well as open formats in urban spaces, such as walks that allowed visitors to experience the many facets of the theme.

Currently, there are no call for proposals open.