At regular intervals, artists redesign the café at the GfZK – Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig. Its interior design, name, and sometimes even gastronomic offerings change in the process. The new café will open on March 8, 2024 and was conceived by artist Ruth Buchanan as an outpost of the Artspace Aotearoa, which is run by the artist.
Ruth Buchanan’s artistic work includes exhibition-making, writing, design, and teaching. Since November 2022, her practice has primarily revolved around her role as the Kaitohu Director of Artspace Aotearoa. Founded in 1987 by artists and arts workers, the publicly funded contemporary art gallery is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Each year the entire programme orbits around one central question. In 2024, Artspace Aoteaora asks: “do I need territory?” Taking this question as a point of departure, Buchanan declares GfZK’s café to be an outpost of Artspace Aotearoa and names it after the gallery’s address: 292 Karangahape Road. By transferring details from the artspace’s structure, colours, and graphic design to the café, Buchanan invites visitors to participate in a speculative exchange that unfolds over time between Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Leipzig.