"Art is the salt in the soup of life" - Friends' Circle Chairwoman Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel in the "RED HEELS" interview

“Art is the salt in the soup of life” – Friends’ Circle Chairwoman Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel in the “RED HEELS” interview

February 27, 2021

Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel is considered the driving force in the acquisition process RED HEELSWhether it's steel construction or industrial painting - the Oberhausen resident, who is involved in many volunteer activities and is committed, has made a major contribution to ensuring that the sculpture can be erected soon. Dagmar Winkler and Karoline Seck interviewed her.

Portrait of Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel © Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Essen, Müheim an der Ruhr, Oberhausen zu Essen

Dagmar Winkler: How and when did Dr. Vogt approach you?

Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel: I can't tell you the exact time. Dr. Vogt and I have a very warm, friendly relationship beyond our circle of friends. So it happens that we drink a cup of coffee together from time to time to talk about "this and that". At one of these meetings - I suspect during the preparation period for the current exhibition - she presented me with the idea of filling the empty podium in front of the museum with a new sculpture. And I was immediately very impressed and full of enthusiasm.

DW: Were you immediately excited by the idea that the “pink castle” should have red high heels?

JKL: Women are very present and involved in our "pink castle", from the management, the volunteers, the public relations, the museum education, to the visitor service. So it makes sense to choose high heels - even if I've "outgrown" the age for such shoes myself. And the name Heiner Meyer promised a real "eye-catcher". I was actually immediately enthusiastic.

DW: How did the process of “acquiring” the various trades go?

JKL: When Dr. Vogt and I set about implementing our idea, it felt as if we had opened a door and found three closed doors behind it. We were not aware from the start of the extent of the trades required and how they would be interlinked. But step by step we considered who might be suitable for a voluntary contract and we approached various companies without hesitation, always pointing out that the circle of friends did not have a lot of liquid assets.

DW: You are very well known in Oberhausen and beyond, dear Ms Kruft-Lohrengel. Did this contribute to the success of the “acquisition”?

JKL: I can't really answer that. Yes, I know a lot of people in Oberhausen through my work and my voluntary work. But knowing someone is one thing, being promised actual support is another. I believe that many of those approached simply enjoyed this beautiful, positive project and their involvement during this difficult, emotionally charged time, and we therefore didn't have to ask for long.

Wilhelm Franken and Christoph Diekmann discussing in the production hall, 2021 © LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen

Karoline Seck: Were there any unexpected obstacles to overcome at one point or another regarding the implementation of a production step?

JKL: Of course, you always have to take care of things when you want to move things forward. But the entrepreneurs we brought in always pulled together with us and independently ensured that the various production steps worked smoothly. I was really shocked when the topic of "building permits" suddenly appeared on the agenda. We couldn't lose sight of the schedule during the weeks of design, as the sculpture is supposed to be in place in mid-March. We would never have managed that with the building permit procedure.

KS: How do you rate the local interest in culture among companies and craft businesses in Oberhausen?

JKL: Anyone who has ever experienced the diverse, enriching facets of art and culture can never escape it. However, the initial contact with art, the museum, and the artists is often missing. With its exhibition program, the LUDWIGGALERIE helps to overcome inhibitions and make art popular and "comprehensible." And I do believe that the business community in Oberhausen is proud of the cultural diversity in our city.

KS: You are the first chairwoman of the Friends of the LUDWIGGALERIE. What motivates you to be involved in art?

JKL: For my husband and me, art is the "salt in life's soup". It's even better when you don't have to travel far to experience it, but instead find a great and tempting offer in our city. And I was keen to build up a circle of like-minded people for this purpose. The commitment is a lot of fun, as both the board of the circle of friends and the members are friendly people.

KS: How do you assess the future impact of the sculpture on the city?

JKL: This is going to be great! The traffic jams on Mülheimer Straße will increase because no one will drive to the Centro via the motorway anymore, but everyone will want to pass this bright red sculpture