Gropius Bau

Widely regarded as one of the most original and influential artists of the 20th century, Diane Arbus’ bold black-and-white photographs demolish aesthetic conventions and upend all certainties. With Diane Arbus: Konstellationen, Gropius Bau presents the most comprehensive exhibition of her work to date.

Ligia Lewis is a central figure in redefining performance within the context of the visual arts. Her solo exhibition I’M NOT HERE FORRRRR… at Gropius Bau brings together new and existing works that explore themes of race, gender, violence and resistance.

With BAUBAU, the artist Kerstin Brätsch designed an admission-free play space for kids, where more is allowed than forbidden. On Gropius Bau’s ground floor, colourful wallpapers, structures, objects and open-ended material called “loose parts” configure flexible spaces that are shaped by children’s activities.

What is and has been the role of play in public space? Gabriela Burkhalter’s Playing in the City presentation traces the history of playgrounds since their emergence in 1900 to today. The free presentation is open to all and can be seen in two rooms next to BAUBAU’s entrance.

In “Post-Orientalist Express”, South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn, who is known for her colourful and dynamic works, searches for new, hybrid cultural and choreographic identities beyond external attributions and internalized stereotypes.

A total of 13 acts, including four bands, two duos and seven soloists, have been invited to the 42nd Treffen junge Musikszene as prize winners. The musical genres span a wide spectrum, ranging from pop in its many diverse forms through all the way to electronic and instrumental compositions.

Performers and life-sized dolls – living creatures and inanimate objects – come together in Gisèle Vienne’s and Étienne Bideau-Rey’s dance-theatre performance “Showroomdummies #4”. The choreography in slow motion – composed in dialogue with original music by Peter Rehberg – is diffracting time and thus enabling usually unseen parts of experiences to be seen.

21 prize winners were selected from 400 young writers. The authors succeed in conveying intimate and powerful emotions in a moving way without resorting to kitsch. They also tell their stories in quiet voices, with beautiful observations of detail, and draw exciting and self-confident protagonists.