Is admission to the exhibition free?

Yes, according to the Art Archive Darmstadt, admission to exhibitions is free.

Where does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition takes place at the Art Archive Darmstadt e.V. in Kasinostraße 3 in Darmstadt.

What are the opening hours of the Art Archive?

Tuesdays from 10 am to 1 pm, Thursdays from 10 am to 6 pm, and Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm, as well as by appointment.

Is the exhibition barrier-free accessible?

Access via elevator is currently only possible with registration. For further details, it is advisable to enquire directly with the Art Archive.

Are there parking options?

There are no direct parking options at the Literature House. Parking spaces are located, according to house information, at Marienplatz and Steubenplatz, as well as in nearby parking garages.

How do I get there by public transport?

The nearest stop is Rhein-/Neckarstraße. There, among others, bus lines F, FU, and H stop, as well as several tram lines.

A quiet exhibition where cardboard becomes the architecture of thought

Name: Simon Gilmer: Storage two
Start: 2026-09-18T02:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-18T02:00:00+02:00
Location: Kunst Archiv Darmstadt e.V.

Simon Gilmer: Storage two at the Art Archive Darmstadt – when architecture becomes a thought figure

With Storage two, the Art Archive Darmstadt opens a view of an exhibition that forms a precise aesthetic experience from material, space, and perception. Simon Gilmer approaches the architecture of the house and the archive rooms with objects made of gray cardboard, reminiscent of models, technical structures, and functional everyday forms. The presentation emerges in dialogue with the historical collection of the house and raises the question of design, democracy, and the forms of our coexistence in a concentrated art-historical context.

Gray cardboard, model, space: a quiet shift in perspective

Gilmer's works unfold their impact not through monumentality, but through reduction and precise placement. The objects appear as architectural models in an intermediate stage, as if they are prototypes of a possible environment. Especially the gray, subdued materiality directs attention to volume, edge, scale, and spatial effect. This creates an art experience that oscillates between sculpture, installation, and spatial drawing.

The poetics of the functional

At the center is the question of how things are designed and how much design determines our daily lives. Gilmer addresses the universality of tools and infrastructures without falling into mere illustration. Rather, he shifts perception: the functional suddenly appears as a cultural form, the banal as aesthetically charged. It is precisely this strength of the exhibition: it negotiates design not just as a question of style but as a societal practice.

Historical collection meets contemporary intervention

The unique charm of Storage two lies in the tension between the archive as a place of preservation and Gilmer's pragmatic, almost ironically placed works. The pieces do not loudly integrate into the space but complement it outside of immediate view, subtly activating the architecture of the house. This form of curation sharpens the eye for the relationship between historical holdings, contemporary art, and museum education.

World Design Capital 2026 as a thematic resonance space

The exhibition is part of World Design Capital 2026 under the motto Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life. This makes it part of a larger cultural discourse that considers design as a democratic task. In Darmstadt, a city with a strong design and architecture history, this perspective gains special plausibility and radiance.

Visit the Art Archive Darmstadt

The Art Archive Darmstadt is located in the Literature House at Kasinostraße 3 and is easily accessible by public transportation. According to house information, admission to exhibitions is free, while events usually charge 5 euros. Access via elevator is currently only possible with registration. The exhibition promises a concentrated, inspiring museum visit for all those interested in contemporary art, architecture, collection culture, and cultural education.

Conclusion: Simon Gilmer: Storage two connects sculpture, space, and architectural thinking into a quiet but compelling exhibition. Anyone who wants to see how complex thoughts arise from simple materials should definitely experience this presentation live at the Art Archive Darmstadt.