The new eye-catcher on Kolonnadenstraße – the 20blue.arts gallery. An interview with Anja Mutschler

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On Friday, 14 August, the shop windows at Kolonnadenstraße 9 were still being cleaned when I happened to walk past and spotted the poster. That morning, my colleague Benjamin had written in his daily ‘Hallo Leipzig’ column that a gallery was opening there, and now I was standing right in front of it. On the spur of the moment, I asked if there might be time for a quick chat, to which the gallery owner, Anja Mutschler, replied in the affirmative.

After a quick tour, we sat down on the sofa and got started.

: The final touches before the opening. Photo: Thomas Köhler

Ms Mutschler, you’re opening your new gallery, 20blue.arts, at Kolonnadenstraße 9 this evening. What can visitors expect to see here?

Here we have a selection of ten artists from my network, which I’ve been building up for over three years now. In 2024, I set up an art salon at Plagwitz railway station because I fancied exhibiting art, but also to strike up conversations with people. It’s not just a traditional sales gallery, which is why it’s called ‘Space for Art and Society’. I want to create a meeting place here.

So it’s not meant to be like some galleries where sales take centre stage, but rather about engaging with the art?

It’s meant to be a space for connection; accessibility to art is important to me. I think these are difficult and complicated times, and we’re always talking so much to and about each other, but that tends to lead to misunderstandings. Art can bring a whole new dimension to our conversations; it’s often so peaceful, and then you find yourself drifting off a little and suddenly seeing each other in a different light. I’ve tried this out at various events, and now this space is open; I’m heading right into the city centre and hope that many others will enjoy it too.

A view into the “Kitchen Gallery”. Photo: Thomas Köhler

Have you made it your mission to explain to people what art is, or should people work it out for themselves, recognise it and feel it?

Definitely the latter. I like to describe this space here as a vessel that I set up, and then people put things into it. Of course, many artists also come to me, make their proposals, and there’s an audience that turns up. I see myself more as someone who opens up a world in which all sorts of things can then happen.

The artists whose works are exhibited here – you’ve already mentioned they’re from your network – are they artists from Leipzig, are they young artists, or is it a mixed bag?

I have two groups that stand out in particular. One is the ‘Silver Artists’. These are artists who’ve always made art, but then life got in the way and it was difficult to really focus on art. They started a family, had to earn a living, and somehow remained artistic – after all, you’re an artist, aren’t you? And then, at some point, those responsibilities were sorted out and they had time, only to find they’d already been pushed out of the art market. Who still has a chance of making it in the art market at the age of 60?

That would be, for example, this collage you’ve just pointed to?

Exactly, that’s by Micaela Pagener, a truly wonderful woman. She’s in her 80s and only really got started in her early to mid-60s. She’s always done things with her husband; the two of them each do their own things and also create things together. She’s very well received because she creates art as a woman who is very free. She doesn’t give a damn about any of that; she just gets on with it. I think that’s brilliant – after all, the promise that art can offer is freedom and a different perspective. In my view, the ‘Silver Artists’ – that’s the affectionate name I give them – are very good at that.

A view into the Gallery. Photo: Thomas Köhler

Then, of course, I also have the young talents. I think it’s important to make art accessible. How does it all actually start? People always say you need to have a gallery first before you can make a name for yourself. Those are my two main target groups, and some of them are simply growing alongside me. I’ve known Susanne Hanna for quite some time now, and she’s currently holding a major exhibition in Erfurt. Of course, it’s also about us being able to grow together.

Thank you very much for that brief insight – what are the gallery’s opening hours?

Thursday and Friday, 2 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm to 6 pm. Tonight is the grand opening – I call it that because we’ve had a few trial runs beforehand. Every first Friday of the month, I’m open until 10 pm, and that’s when you can have a bit of a mini-party and meet some new people here.

Everyone’s welcome – even people who say, ‘I’d actually like to try something new, but I’ve no idea how the art scene works.’ That’s exactly who this is for. Come in and give it a go.

Ms Mutschler, thank you once again for your time, and I wish you every success.