Current and Upcoming

BAUBAU

A Play Space for Kids

Playing, laughing, making noise, letting off steam, doing nothing – all in an exhibition venue! With BAUBAU, the artist Kerstin Brätsch designed an admission-free play space for kids, where more is allowed than forbidden. On the 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. They set the tone and decide what happens in this place.

A child is playing in an colourful environment

BAUBAU © Gropius Bau, photo: Guannan Li

Playing in the City

A Short History from 1900 to the Present

What has been the role of play in public space, both historically and in the present? Complementing BAUBAU, our free play space for kids, 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 the play space’s entrance.

Kids playing between houses

Play action by Pädagogische Aktion (PA), München-Neuperlach, FRG, 1971

© Wolfgang Zacharias

Diane Arbus: Konstellationen

16 October 2025 to 18 January 2026

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. Featuring 454 prints, many of them shown here for the first time, Konstellationen offers new perspectives on Arbus’ iconic images and the wide range of her portraiture.

A person is sitting on a chair with her legs crossed. Next to the person is a shelf with an artificial souvenir dog on top.

Diane Arbus, Lady bartender at home with a souvenir dog, New Orleans, La. 1964

© The Estate of Diane Arbus, Collection Maja Hoffmann/LUMA Foundation

Ligia Lewis: I’M NOT HERE FORRRRR…

16 October 2025 to 18 January 2026

Ligia Lewis is a central figure in redefining performance within the context of the visual arts. In her multifaceted practice, she combines performance, live installation and film.  From autumn 2025, Gropius Bau presents I’M NOT HERE FORRRRR…, the artist and choreographer’s most comprehensive solo exhibition to date. It brings together new and existing works that explore themes of race, gender, violence and resistance.

Two people in magnificent clothing are walking in front of a row of cypress trees.

Ligia Lewis, A Plot, A Scandal, film still, 2023

© Ligia Lewis