"Changing signs": Kick-off for the art projects surrounding the regional reform in Münsterland
When the regional reform in Münsterland came into force on 1 January 1975, a transformation process was initiated, the effects of which can still be felt half a century later. To mark this anniversary, the Kulturbüro des Münsterland e.V. has launched the art project "Schilderwechsel - 50 Jahre Gebietsreform im Münsterland". Together with the participating artists, partners and numerous guests, the team from the cultural office celebrated the launch of its project on Thursday (10 October) at the Kulturbahnhof Hiltrup.
As in the whole of Germany, numerous municipal and district boundaries were shifted, place-name signs were exchanged and the most diverse areas of life changed from one day to the next. "The territorial reform fundamentally changed the cultural self-image of the region. Some of the effects can still be felt today," said Andreas Grotendorst, board member of Münsterland e.V. and Head of Culture. "With 'Schilderwechsel', we not only want to trace the history of the regional reform, but also its influence on regional identities and local self-image," added Laura Säumenicht, project manager of "Schilderwechsel" at the cultural office of Münsterland e.V. "We were particularly interested in the contrast between bureaucratic administrative reform and art as a creative form of expression."
Five projects from different disciplines were selected by an external jury of experts to address the territorial reform from their respective artistic perspectives. The artists spoke to contemporary witnesses, researched in archives and processed their findings as re-enactments, animated art films, youth theatre, essay films or podcasts with live radio plays at various locations throughout Münsterland. Laura Säumenicht explained: "Thanks to the participatory nature of 'Schilderwechsel', people throughout Münsterland can be part of the art project themselves. For example, through interviews that flow into the films or participation in theatre workshops."
Angelika Weide, Head of Cultural Affairs at the Münster district government, also emphasised this in her welcoming speech: "With the five different approaches, we can look forward to many impulses and impressions. I hope that this will get people talking about the regional reform and encourage a sensitive approach to history and what we have experienced."
After a short lecture by Dr Claudia Kemper on the historical territorial reform, presenter Türkân Heinrich introduced the artists and their project ideas in panel discussions. In the discussion with contemporary witnesses, Fritz von Poblotzki, former city planner for the municipal reorganisation of the city of Münster, praised the idea behind the project: "Before the territorial reform, concerned voices pointed out that the loss of many small municipal units could also mean a loss of local democracy. It is exciting to find out what people think about such aspects of territorial reform today. Especially in the form of art, which is an excellent way to take a look at the bigger picture."
"Schilderwechsel" is divided into three project phases: In the research phase until the end of 2024, the five projects will prepare their ideas; in the realisation phase in spring 2025, the artists will turn their project ideas into reality. The finished results will then be presented during the presentation week from 7 to 11 May 2025.
All information on "Changing Signs" can be found at www.muensterland.com/schilderwechsel.
As the organiser of "Schilderwechsel", Kulturbüro Münsterland forms the conceptual and communicative umbrella. Partner institutions of the project and potential points of contact are Burg Hülshoff - Center for Literature (CfL), DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst, FARB - Forum Altes Rathaus Borken, Filmwerkstatt Münster, Kulturgut Haus Nottbeck and Theater im Pumpenhaus.
"Schilderwechsel" is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science NRW (funding programme RKP - Regionales Kultur Programm NRW), Volksbank Westmünsterland eG and Werte-Stiftung-Münsterland. The project is also supported by the LWL Cultural Foundation as part of the cultural programme for the anniversary year 2025 "1250 Years of Westphalia". The patron of this cultural programme is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
