K20 & K21 Museums, Düsseldorf, Germany

The K20 & K21 museums in Düsseldorf house the Kuntsammlung Nordrhein Westfalen, the arts collection of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia which was started in 1960. Each museum is incredible and unique and together house an impressive art collection from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Originally the collection was housed in a small castle in Düsseldorf's central park but the collection soon outgrew its location. In 1986, the K20 Kunstsammlung am Grabbeplatz, or K20 for short, opened its doors with an architecturally impressive building in the heart of the city. Four years later, a second building was acquired officially dividing the collection by century. The second museum would come to be known as the K21 Kunstsammlung am St�ndhaus houses the later works.

The K20 focuses on classical modern art with works from the early 20th century to 1945. The mix includes expressionist, cubist, dada and surreal pieces. Artists include Jackson Pollock, Max Beckmann, George Braque, Max Ernst, Wassily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Markus Lüpertz, Gerhard Richter and Joseph Beuys. There are a large number of works from Paul Klee who was also a professor at Düsseldorf's art academy. The extraordinary collection has earned the museum a stellar international reputation.

A recent exhibit at K20 museum was an architectural exploration of Museums in the 21st Century: Concepts Projects Buildings. The exhibit touted the urban museum as the new cathedral, "symbols of cultural identification." It included 26 new projects from four continents in planning, construction or completed. Projects from Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Daniel Libeskind and more were represented through models, plans, sketches and multi-media installations.

The K21 opened in 2002 and is an incredible contemporary museum in its own right. Also in Düsseldorf, the museum is housed in the St�ndhaus the former home of North Rhine Westphalien State Parliament and the parliament of the Rhine Province of Prussia. The building is a unique fusion of old and new. The historical structure is encapsulated under a rooftop steel and glass pyramid, the second largest in Europe. The museum overlooks one of Düsseldorf's inner city ponds frequented by swans, geese and cormorants and the large basement features large underwater viewing windows into the water.

At K21 works include international art since 1980 with a focus on photography, sculpture and object art. Artists here include Marcel Broodthaers, Nam June Paik, Andreas Gursky, Candida H�fer and Katharina Fritsch to name a few. The collection is poised from the start of postmodernism and emphasizes German art and its international relevance during this period.

The contrast between old and new is emphasized within the K21. The visitor is greeted by the original, expansive, grand staircases of the old building. The building then opens from ground floor up five stories to the transparent dome above. Each floor winds around this atrium which can be viewed throughout the entire building. From the first floor, museumgoers can climb swirling circular stairs or ride swiftly in the glass elevator to access huge sculptures, photography and installations. At the top, a large open exhibit space showcases select sculptures against the backdrop of the city. A glittering café and bistro compliments the K21 experience with teas, coffees and an assortment of German cakes.

Both museums are integral to the city hosting performances, lectures and acting as all important third centers. Each May hours are extended to partake in Nacht der Museen, an all city one ticket celebration with museums, galleries, live bands and performances from dusk to dawn. Even if your visit to Düsseldorf doesn't coincide with this event, the K20 & K21 are two "can't miss" attractions.