The World's FirST SwimWear Community!
About us
LOHA in the BikiniARTmuseum, the first place in the world where all historical and contemporary knowledge around the world on the topics of swimwear and swimwear culture is accumulated and presented to the public.
Since July 5, 2020, International Bikini Day, we have opened our doors to visitors from all over the world in Bad Rappenau, the capital of swimwear, right on the European transport hub A6 motorway (Paris-Heidelberg-Prague).
Come by, we're looking forward to seeing you!
Your BikiniARTMUSEUM team
OUR MISSION
In its exhibition, the BikiniARTmuseum exemplifies the close interweaving of emancipation and the development of swimwear: In parallel with the first wave of women's movement in the early 20th century, heavy swimwear was replaced by lightweight one-pieces that had previously been given primarily to men. Courageous female swimmers such as Annette Kellerman paved the way for the creation of bikini in 1946 through their protest against strict dress codes. In addition to illuminating important protagonists, the BikiniARTmuseum aims to celebrate physical diversity and encourage women regardless of age, body shape or ethnicity to be “brave” and break up the image of supposed perfection.
OUR VISION
“Swimwear has to do with enjoying freedom. When a woman wants to buy a bikini, she thinks of the best possible things and has positive vibes. You think of the beach, the sea, the sky, or love. ” (— Jacqueline de Biase, Salinas).
Everyone is the same when it comes to bathing. Social covers fall on the beach. Everyone is wearing their most emotional piece of clothing. A special space and a special community are created. This spirit should also be felt in the BikiniARTmuseum: The “Third Place” BikiniARTmuseum as a new roof community is intended to unite all those who love the beach feeling and speak out for untroubled public bathing pleasure in line with our mission — we embrace diversity and welcome all people with open arms to the world's first international museum of swimwear and bathing culture!
THE ORIGIN STORY
An adventurous encounter with the over 70-year-old Alda at the Esch Café in the trendy “Rua Dias Ferreiras” in Rio inspired Alexx to initiate the first worldwide swimwear museum. Alda produced bikinis herself and lived on the Côte d'Azur for a long time. She had countless photos of her prominent circle of friends, which showed her together with the Monaco princesses and Jean Paul Belmondo in swimwear on the yacht or on quiet beaches. Alda's dream: to bring her turbulent life story to life in a bikini gallery. The contact broke off. Impressed by the meeting, Alexx became increasingly interested in swimwear and culture, which turned out to be diverse and profound topics and soon became a real passion. When it became clear that although experts and papers existed at national level, there was no international summary, Alexx decided to create a swimwear museum. The socio-political aspect, the liberation of women against the rules of a repressive society, should be a central issue. Alexx never met Alda again. Calls and messages went unanswered. Alexx would have loved to tell Alda that her idea of designing a private bikini exhibition in Rio has now spawned an international swimwear museum. “Maybe she's married a man again and moved to the Cote d'Azur,” Alexx muses, “but maybe she'll walk into the museum at some point and say: 'Bom trabalho, meu amigo! ' . ”
YOUR EXPERTS FOR
SWIMWEAR HISTORY
The BikiniARTmuseum is characterized by a historically substantiated claim and functions as a competent, cross-continental knowledge pool for swimwear history. We are a meeting place for opinion leaders and an open archive for journalists, curators, school classes and fashion students. In order to make the new findings and connections we have developed freely available, the “International Board of Swimwear History” was established with the BikiniARTmuseums Foundation. In order to promote a self-confident image of women, the committee focuses in particular on the topic of “Woman Power.”
A MUSEUM OF
NEW TYPE
We encourage the enthusiasm of younger target groups through our creative and provocative museum interpretation. We combine the best of historical museum, art exhibition and interactive interactive show experience for young and old: private, cheeky, independent, edgy, surprising, emotional, unconventional, honest and critical. We are a meeting place, a lifestyle hotspot and, above all, a passionate community. Why Through intensive cooperation, a close bond was established between all curators. When you enter our rooms, you feel intimacy: not an intimidating, elitist institution, but exchange, cooperation and smooth transitions between exhibits, artists and visitors. Every day, the museum management takes half an hour for you to answer questions, share insights or simply talk about the weather. Come talk to us!
Capital of swimwear
Come and visit us at the gravitational field of visitor magnets and European traffic highways! With Bad Rappenau as a historic health resort, birthplace of the historic swimwear brands Benger Ribana and Felina, and the neighboring headquarters of swimwear global player Triumph, we are located in the heart of Europe. Combine your BAM fun with a visit to other unique offers on the A6 Boulevard: There are nine first-class attractions on 50 km alone: With the Hockenheimring, the Sinsheim Thermal Spa & Badewelt, the TripsDrill amusement park or the Experimenta Heilbronn, we couldn't imagine a better location for you to educate, research, bathe, explore, entertain & enjoy.
OUR CLAIM
Our aim is to offer all visitors informative, entertaining and varied hours on the development of swimwear culture and the associated self-determination of women. A roller-coaster of emotions: exciting and feminist, fond memories of old times, pleasure and freedom, prohibitions and scandals, sensuality and pride, society and politics. We are a heartblood museum — it would be our greatest joy if we succeeded in transferring part of our passion to our visitors.
Opening hours
Opening times will be announced soon.
rates
World's first Community of Swimwear offers various tickets. There may be additional costs for special events and exhibitions. We want to make our admission prices reasonable and give everyone the opportunity to discover the fascination of the museum for modern art. We offer discounted rates for members, children and retirees. Would you like more information? Please contact us
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- hotel
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- Tesla Supercharger
- 100 parking spaces
- 125 bus parking spaces
- playground
- 24-hour shop
- wheelchair accessible
- Arcade
