The goals are somnambulistically ambitious: the Bergson should be nothing less than a “cultural center of gravity” where high culture meets subculture, the opera lover meets the stand-up comedy fan. 365 days of the year. The ensemble of old and new buildings, which adorns the 20,000 square meter area in Aubing in the west of Munich, is intended to bring a breath of fresh air to the Bavarian cultural scene as an “art power plant”. Privately financed by the brothers Michael and Christian Amberger (Allguth), the Bergson will open its doors on April 9, 2024 after three years of construction. The name Bergson goes back to the French life philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson (1859 to 1941), whose thoughts on “Elan vital” seemed suitable to the operators for their vital project.
history
From ruins to a huge new cultural center: The Bergson Art Power Plant in the west of Munich will open its doors in April 2024 after three years of construction.
(Photo: Benjamin Günther/Bergson)
The story begins more than 100 years ago. Around 1920, an unknown architect drew up the plans for what would later become the Aubinger heating plant. Construction began in 1940 as an interplay of reinforced concrete, industrial bricks and classicist elements, but came to a standstill during the war. Around 1955 the heating plant was made usable by Deutsche Bahn. In the early eighties, the disused factory became a “lost place” where techno raves and other underground parties were celebrated. In 2005, the Munich family business Allguth acquired the ruins and the property. Construction and sensitive modernization has been underway since the pandemic year of 2021. The topping-out ceremony was in the summer of 2023, and life is expected to begin in 2024. Then the various areas, from the restaurant (April 10th) to the concert hall in the new building (October), will be inaugurated little by little in a large “opening cascade”. The program director is the journalist and presenter Maximilian Maier (BR). He wanted to appeal to “the broadest possible audience.”
Opening weeks
In the dance format “2xGetanzt” two choreographers and two dancers each develop their own choreography to the music of the Arcis Saxophone Quartet.
(Photo: arcisvisuals/Bergson)
As befits a project of this dimension, a “housewarming party” will be celebrated several times: on five evenings, April 9th to 13th, visitors will warm up to the Bergson with electronic dance music and drinks. Here you can particularly admire the 25 meter high atrium, where, according to the operator, “the heart of the Bergson” beats. Also on Tuesday, April 9th, the family event “Peter and the Wolf” premieres: members of the Bavarian State Orchestra make music while the classic is projected as an animated film onto the silos in the old building (sold out, further dates and school performances until April 14th). On April 19th, DJ Lazykid invites you to “party start the weekend” with melodic techno and house. The experimental dance concert format “2xGetanzt” (April 24th) offers a good opportunity to get to know the elegant mezzanine floor, the Beletage. The cultural and culinary series “KuK” (from April 30th) is also taking place here, with a special view.
Concerts
Concert start at the Bergson: On April 21st, the improvisation quartet “hilde” presents its new album.
(Photo: Anna Sorgalla)
It was clear from the planning phase that… Jazz Rush Big Band becomes the “orchestra in residence”, i.e. the Bergson’s house band. Its founder and director, Roman Sladek, is also the “Artistic Director” of the Kunstkraftwerk. The flagship of the music program that covers all genres is moving into its new home with “immersive party concerts” under the title “Bergson Rise”: In a variety of formations, from soloists to the entire band, people play through the audience in the huge atrium, sometimes unplugged, sometimes for fun Sound of the system, always accompanied by an elaborate light show (April 20th is sold out, April 25th to 27th, May 3rd and 4th, 9th to 11th, 17th and 30th May).
The improvisation quartet will be at the regular start of the concert hilde his second album “Tide” (April 21st). The classic comes with that Re:Ensemble to the train, which is dedicated to undiscovered chamber music treasures and shows the connections between French works with “French Connections” (April 28th), and with a Chopin and Rachmaninoff concert by pianist Alexander Krichel (May 14th). Krichel will play sonatas by Brahms and Beethoven with cellist Maximilian Hornung on May 20th. In between, the French-Armenian singer/songwriter Nina Kazourian presents her debut album “Under Rivers” (May 5th). Things will really get going when the live club in the basement, called “Barbastelle”, and the spectacular concert hall open, probably in October.
The concept of the “Bergson Artists” is completely new and unique: from a pool of around 100 first-class Munich musicians you can put together the right musical accompaniment for every occasion, from a pianist to a string quartet, a brass or dinner band to soul – or cover band.
Exhibitions
The gallery is scheduled to open in the new building in July 2024.
(Photo: Bergson)
In her exhibition entitled “Holy Quarter” four years ago in Munich’s Haus der Kunst, Monira Al Qadiri dealt with the desert as one of the oldest and most untouched habitats. And last year, sculptures of hers were on display at the Kunsthaus Bregenz, which upon closer inspection turned out to be oil drilling heads. Which shows that her home country of Kuwait plays an important role in Monira Al Qadiri’s art – even though she studied art in Tokyo and now lives in Berlin. The exhibition with works by Monira Al Qadiri will also be about the oil industry, which is essential for Kuwait, which the Bergson presents from May 7th. Because the visual arts are also an integral part of the art power plant’s program.
Al Qadiri’s sculptures and installations are shown in the old silos in which coal was previously stored. There, more than 15 meters high and divided into four cabinets, the works will be accessible free of charge. Other very large-format works by Al Qadiri are presented in the atrium, the huge boiler hall.
On July 12th, a large gallery will also be opened in the new building, providing around 2,000 square meters of gallery space for sales exhibitions. Collaborations with well-known galleries from home and abroad are planned, as in the case of Monira Al Qadiri with the Berlin König Galerie. They also say they want to talk to private collectors and companies that collect art.
academy
Discussion groups are also part of the Bergson. The so-called academy aims to promote public dialogue about the important issues of our time. A series of lectures on the topic of “The Middle East – between politics, religion and society” begins in June: On June 17th, the controversial historian and journalist Michael Wolffsohn will speak; On July 4th, journalist Natalie Amiri, Father Nikodemus Schnabel and Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann will address the same topic. A foretaste of the Bergson panel discussions will be offered on April 18th at 7 p.m. in a discussion about the Munich cultural scene: In cooperation with the Munich Adult Education Center, cultural speaker Anton Biebl, the director of the Bavarian State Opera, Serge Dorny, cultural organizer Michael Kern, Frank Przybilla from the Pasinger factory and Roman Sladek from the Bergson. The evening will be moderated by SZ editor Susanne Hermanski, which also invites you to a SZ cultural salon on the topic of Bergson (April 11, 6:30 p.m.).
gastronomy
He gives the art power plant the culinary finishing touches: Christopher Engel, here at the Four Seasons Hotel, where he has been responsible for all the kitchens in recent years.
(Photo: Florian Peljak)
The opening of the restaurant in the old building is also eagerly awaited. It opens on April 10th (invited guests only), Reservations are possible from April 13th. What is promised is gastronomic variety, “fine dining” in a “casual, informal atmosphere”. The cuisine’s influences range “from Mediterranean flavors to Bavarian classics to exotic spices.” The restaurant with terrace also has a bar with a bar food menu. The Anima day bar in the former boiler hall and, in summer, a beer garden next door also attract visitors. Bergson’s head chef is Christopher Engel (Hotel Four Seasons). When asked what Bergson tastes like, he says: “Sweet, sour, salty, spicy – a little bit of everything.”
Directions
Nearing completion: The Bergson in Aubing will be completely completed in the coming months. The new large Munich cultural center can be reached by S-Bahn (Langwied station) or by car.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Sure, Aubing is not the Au. Anyone who wants to experience the art power plant will have to travel a certain distance, unless he or she lives in the west of Munich anyway. Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied is the westernmost district. Drivers should plan around half an hour when setting off from the city center. According to the organizer, there are 200 parking spaces available at Bergson (address: Am Bergson Kunstfabrik 2, formerly Rupert-Bodner-Straße 3-5), and many more for bicycles. The S-Bahn (S3) takes just under 20 minutes from Marienplatz to Langwied station; From there it’s just under seven minutes on foot.
Bergson Art Power Plant, from Tuesday, April 9th, program and tickets at bergson.com/program