Baden-Baden: 2000 Years of Doing People Good

The river Oos winds its way through the spa town of Baden-Baden in central Germany. All photos Copyright: © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH
The river Oos winds its way through the spa town of Baden-Baden in central Germany. All photos Copyright: © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH

Banksy Goes to Baden-Baden, The Cultural Oasis in the Black Forest

By Victoria Larson

The news is out! The infamous Banksy painting, “Love is in the Bin,” is making a four-week appearance in the cultural spa town of Baden-Baden Germany!

Banky's Love is in the Bin. Photo: Handout from the Frieder Burda museum/DPA
Banky’s Love is in the Bin. Photo: Handout from the Museum Frieder Burda/DPA

Thanks to the invitation of the sophisticated Museum Frieder Burda, the sensational work will be displayed from February 5 to March 3, 2019, in Europe’s foremost spa and cultural oasis.

This is the first time that the painting will be shown to the general public since its self-destruction at the London auction in October of 2018.

If you plan your visit for the four-week period, there are multiple cultural highlights and museums. Also, there is a fabulous stay three and pay two-night package available until the end of February!

All visitors will have free access to the Museum Frieder Burda and if you stay for the weekend, you will be able to enjoy Baden-Baden’s extensive cultural offerings.

Self Shredding Painting

The Banksy painting was famous even before it self-shredded at the London auction in October 2018 but after the self-destruction, the price of the painting skyrocketed as the shredding had been organized in advance by the artist.

As Museum Frieder Burda points out, ‘Banksy’s own self-destroying painting “Girl with Balloon” from 2006 undoubtedly marks a new and radical high point of this artistic strategy and one that grabbed attention all over the globe.

In a matter of seconds, the picture became one of the most famous in the world – and that in a world already flooded with images.’

The Festival Hall Baden-Baden, Thomas Straub photo.
The Festival Hall Baden-Baden, Thomas Straub photo.

Staying true to its artistic origins, Museum the Frieder Burda museum said it does not want to display the painting as a trophy but rather as a starting point for an important discussion about the art market and the value of art.

Banksy Experts in Baden-Baden

A symposium led by distinguished artists and experts will take place at the same time of the showing. The discussion will include Elke Buhr, editor-in-chief of Monopol, the art historian Wolfgang Ullrich, and the Banksy expert, Ulrich Blanché.

Baden-Baden’s cultural riches are extensive and well worth the visit. In addition to the Banksy, the Museum Frieder Burda has a top-notch exhibition on the Brücke and visitors can also take in Gerhard Richter’s iconic painting, “Candle” along with works by Neo Rauch and Picasso.

A priceless Faberge egg on display in Baden-Baden, Germany.
A priceless Faberge egg on display in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Baden-Baden’s Faberge Museum is the only one of its kind in the western world while the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, next door to the Frieder Burda, has rotating exhibitions and the nearby LA8 focuses on the connection between art and technology.

Germany’s Largest Concert Hall

The Festival Hall Baden-Baden is Germany’s largest concert hall and it is constantly attracting and showcasing top musical talent from around the world. On a regular basis, Anna Netrebko and Anne Sophie Mutter among many other top performing artists dazzle audiences.

Afterward, an evening at the Casino Baden-Baden is always a special and formal affair where gambling and champagne are served in richly brocaded and gilded rooms from the 19th century.

Boutique shopping, world-class thermal spas, delicious dining at formal restaurants, bistros and sidewalk cafes and promenading along the gracious Lichtentaler Allee result in a deeply relaxing and cultural getaway in the middle of the Black Forest.

International Gallop Races

Three times each year, visitors can hobnob with the rich and famous at the International Gallop Races at Iffezheim race track. The Grand Prix Ball with the award “Runner of the Year” in the splendid Kurhaus is an unforgettable evening and experience.

Get to know Baden-Baden Germany from its most beautiful side. Climb aboard and be enchanted by the charm of the "summer capital of Europe" on this journey for connoisseurs.
Get to know Baden-Baden Germany from its most beautiful side. Climb aboard and be enchanted by the charm of the “summer capital of Europe” on this journey for connoisseurs.

Despite its penchant for world-class sophistication, elegance, and peacefulness, Baden-Baden offers an array of hotels from the five-star grand dames and contemporary hotels to beautiful apartments and very satisfactory three-star overnights.

Currently, there is a three-night stay and pay only two-night package available through the end of February!

As a thank-you for your visit, Baden-Baden provides you with a voucher booklet, filled with many discounts and attractive offers from the local attractions and shops.

All of this is only two hours by direct train from Frankfurt.

Visit Baden-Baden art and Culture

Faberge Museum

Frieder Burda Museum

This story was sponsored by Baden-Baden tourism but the opinions are the author’s own.

Victoria LarsonVictoria Larson is a NY-based writer who grew up in Germany.

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