Herrenhaus Edenkoben is a private house where artists, composers and writers can live as residents on a scholarship basis. They are selected by an international jury. The scholarship holders present themselves and their works in exhibitions, concerts and readings. Other famous artists contribute to the widening of the programme of events. The estate in a baroque style is situated in the southern Palatinate, in the west of Edenkoben, surrounded by vineyards, and with an open view over the plain of the river Rhine and of the hills and castles of the Haardt mountains up to the Black Forest. The estate is surrounded by a high baroque wall and contains, apart from two studios, five apartments and several guest-rooms, a hall for events such as concerts, exhibitions and readings, several common rooms, a cellar which can also be used for events, and wide-ranging grounds, i.e. a courtyard and gardens.
The History of the House
The beginnings of the Herrenhaus – so called by the people after its former aristocratic owners – are shrouded in darkness. It was the north wing of the main building and the east part of the stables that were erected first, presumably in the 17th century at the latest; as well as the little utility building which was used as bakery, wash-room and toilet. In 1736 anyway, a connecting building was erected between the stables and the south wing of the main building (attached before to the north wing). Further supplementary buildings and conversions were carried out in the 19th century. An early owner was Heinrich von Stengel, resident in Neustadt, who later settled in Munich. He was a magistrate’s clerk and in the service of Karl Theodor, Kurfürst (elector) in Mannheim. Still before the French Revolution he sold the estate to his son-in-law Baron Joseph von Wimpffen. At the beginning of the 18th century – after the Wars of Revolution – the estate was turned into civil ownership, in fact to ancestors of the owners today, by the name of Dambach, then Hinzler and later Stahl. For 125 years linen damask of the finest quality was woven here which also the Bavarian royal dynasty was provided with.
At the beginning of the 1980ies the estate with its baroque main building and several out- buildings was acquired by Barbara and Konrad Stahl. They had them completely renovated and turned into a residence for artists, with studios, flats and facilities for events and performances as well as for exhibitions. Between 1987 and 1997 the house as a residence for artists was run jointly by the Stahls and the Land Rheinland-Pfalz. Since then it has been a purely private establishment, where art comes into existence, and where art can be lived and experienced.
Meeting the Arts and Artists
In the Herrenhaus Edenkoben even the short term guest can sense something of this creative energy looking for new ways of expression, ready to get involved in something imponderable, in something risky with an uncertain end. Here something new is supposed to come into existence which needs time and takes time. Variety, openness but not indifference shape the profile of the Herrenhaus. Herrenhaus Edenkoben presents itself as a meeting place where composers, sculptors, painters and writers leave their own individual working day and approach each other, and from nearby they get to know the possibilities and limitations of other fields of art, different from their own. Thus they are able to widen their personal horizon. Very often these encounters end up in joint art projects. We are glad that our visitors can participate and have a share in the results.
Fine Arts, Literature and Music under the same Roof
This artists’ residence is of course cosmopolitan. Scholarship holders from various nations are invited: from Argentina, Armenia and Hungary, from France, Indonesia, Italy, the U.S.A. and Portugal as well as Germany and Poland and many other countries. We find them an enrichment and invite people from near and far to share this wealth of art with us. Over the years, the Herrenhaus has developed an atmosphere in which even the unusual and unfamiliar appears neither elitist nor intimidating nor unapproachable. In our concerts, readings and openings of exhibitions the atmosphere is marked by quite a natural get-together of artist and audience. And after every event our Circle of Friends offers the opportunity to enjoy food and wine or other beverages side by side with the artists. Informal, personal talks with the musicians, writers or the artists of the evening are part of these events.
In all tranquility something arises from a strong will and through necessity.
Only very few artists, composers and writers have the means to exclusively concentrate on their artistic doing. It is for their surviving alone that they are often forced to take on time-consuming incidental occupations. Here in the Herrenhaus Edenkoben we want to give the selected scholarship holders the opportunity to devote themselves full-time to their art and their enthusiasm for their artistic creation. This, however, is only a short-term solution. But nevertheless it can work wonders, as we have experienced over and over again.
Taking time
There is enough time for you in the Herrenhaus. That’s why it is a good place for art events, for encounters that first of all need quietness, tranquillity to happen. It is only later that one wishes to find a forum for something that hitherto has only existed in one’s mind. But a forum is needed, perhaps just a quiet and thoughtful one at the beginning. And we are pleased to be able to offer such a forum, maybe against the quick passage of time and still a little away from it.
A close community of artists and friends of the arts
Our conception of a residence for artists has blessed us with a rare symbiosis of renowned artists, active members and secret sponsors and – in the meantime – well over seventy-five scholarship-holders whose work is supported by generous donators. This way and only this way we succeeded in becoming an art institution which is recognized in our area and far beyond. We are thankful to a great number of artists who have a close attachment to our concept and they perform without pay in the Herrenhaus. We are fully aware of such a nice gesture which we appreciate very much. Thus our visitors here in Edenkoben can enjoy performances of high standard that otherwise can only be found in big cities.
It wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of a lot of friends
A well functioning institution for the support of the arts which although it is professionally demanding is very successful even without a big budget, is certainly a rarity nowadays. The Circle of Friends has turned the Herrenhaus into such a rarity. It is financially and organisationally responsible for the programme of events. It is with considerable commitment that Dieter Sauer, Executive Secretary of the Herrenhaus, takes this responsibility. Under his control numerous members volunteer to help to prepare and to carry out the events. This voluntary commitment gives the project not only its special intimate and familiar atmosphere, but it also saves running costs and personnel costs, which elsewhere come to a large amount in the budget.