Marzona Foundation New Saaleck Workshops
Transformation of an “Uncomfortable Monument”
A Documentary Exhibition
Opening: July 7, 2026, 6:00 PM
Welcome Address: Norbert Kottmann, Chairman
Introduction: Arne Cornelius Wasmuth, Chairman of the Board, Marzona Foundation
Opening Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, July 9 – August 30, 2026
The documentary exhibition Marzona Foundation New Saaleck Workshops – Transformation of an “Uncomfortable Monument” presents, on eight large display panels, the work of the foundation established in 2018 by the art collector and patron Egidio Marzona († 2026). The foundation is transforming the historic Saaleck Workshops near Naumburg on the Saale River in Saxony-Anhalt into an international center for design, architecture, and creative discourse. The foundation’s mission is to transform an “uncomfortable monument” with a difficult historical legacy into a democratic space for innovation, collaboration, and the free exchange of ideas.
A central project of the foundation is dieDAS – Design Academy Saaleck, which has hosted an international fellowship program since 2020. Saaleck is thus evolving into a vibrant place for the future of design, architecture, craftsmanship, and the arts—a site for cultural research and innovation. The historic buildings of the complex are being converted into open learning and production spaces where fellows can experiment, collaborate, and build international networks.
The buildings and extensive grounds in Saaleck are currently undergoing comprehensive restoration, supported substantially by funding from the German Federal Government and the State of Saxony-Anhalt, following a master plan developed by Danish architect Dorte Mandrup.
The exhibition at the Naumburg Art Association primarily aims to inform the regional public about the work of the Marzona Foundation New Saaleck Workshops and dieDAS – Design Academy Saaleck. It was created in cooperation between the Marzona Foundation and the Naumburg Art Association.
Naumburg Art Association (Naumburger Kunstverein e.V.)
Chairman: Norbert Kottmann
Wiesenstraße 1
06618 Naumburg
Germany
supported by
