Berlin Art Exhibitions Guide 2024: What’s On Now

Discover Berlin’s vibrant art scene with our guide to the top exhibitions and events in 2024. Explore must-see art from historical to modern.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Tania Bruguera and Joseph Beuys's exhibitions at Hamburger Bahnhof highlight activism and modern art.

Nan Goldin's retrospective at Neue Nationalgalerie showcases her iconic, intimate photography.

Gallery Weekend Berlin 2024 offers a city-wide celebration of art with over 50 galleries participating.

Berlin’s Current Art Scene

Berlin, a city rich in history and culture, currently hosts various art exhibitions catering to various interests, from photography and modern art to immersive installations. Below, you’ll find a curated list of must-see exhibitions showcasing both established and emerging artists.

Immersive Installations and Modern Art Marvels

• Tania Bruguera’s Civic Engagement: At the Hamburger Bahnhof, Bruguera revisits her performance piece from 2015, “Where Your Ideas Become Civic Actions,” featuring a series of readings from Hannah Arendt’s “The Origins of Totalitarianism”.
• Joseph Beuys’ Legacy: Explore Beuys’ influence in modern art with a collection of his works, including the iconic installations “Tram Stop” and “Das Kapital Raum,” at the Hamburger Bahnhof.
• Nan Goldin’s Retrospective: The Neue Nationalgalerie honors Nan Goldin with “This Will Not End Well,” spotlighting her vivid chronicles of bohemian life.

Celebrating Photography and Female Perspectives

• Ruth Orkin’s Unseen Narratives: The f3 freiraum für fotografie shines a light on Ruth Orkin’s contribution to photography, displaying a collection of her unpublished photos.
• Tarik Kiswanson’s Rootless Reflections: At carlier gebauer, Kiswanson delves into themes of memory and loss through his multidisciplinary works.
• Art Nouveau Elegance: The Bröhan Museum’s “Belles Choses: Art Nouveau Around 1900” celebrates French Art Nouveau with works by Toulouse-Lautrect and Émile Gallé.

Artistic Giants and Historical Narratives

• Caspar David Friedrich – Infinite Landscapes: The Alte Nationalgalerie commemorates Friedrich’s 250th birthday with a vast collection of his paintings and drawings.
• Modigliani – Modern Looks: Museum Barberini in Potsdam hosts a retrospective of Modigliani’s works, juxtaposed with pieces by Klimt and Paula Modersohn-Becker.
• Kader Attia’s Critical Explorations: The Berlinische Galerie presents Attia’s work focusing on postcolonialism and cultural identity, including “J’accuse” and “The Object’s Interlacing”.

Unique Events and Artistic Dialogues

• Gallery Weekend Berlin 2024: This annual event features exhibitions by emerging and established artists across 50 galleries, overseen for the first time by Antonia Ruder.
• Marianna Simnett’s “Winner”: A film installation that dissects football’s cultural impact, displayed at the Hamburger Bahnhof.
• “Berlin, Berlin!” at the Helmut Newton Foundation: A group exhibition celebrating Helmut Newton and his portrayal of Berlin through the decades.

Photography and Beyond

• Fotografiska Berlin: Showcasing Omar Victor Diop, Carla Chan’s “Black Moves,” and Miles Aldridge’s retrospective.
• Diverse Artistic Voices: Upcoming exhibitions include works by Jan Durina, Alena Kotzmannová, and Milan Mazúr at KVOST and a group show, “Cloud of Grass” at Kunstverein am Rosa–Luxemburg–Platz.

Where to Go and What to See

Each exhibition and event offers an opportunity to appreciate art and engage with the narratives and histories they explore. Whether you’re drawn to the introspective and critical works of Kader Attia, Caspar David Friedrich’s romantic landscapes, or Modigliani’s modernist expressions, Berlin’s current art scene is vibrant and diverse, ready to inspire and provoke thought.

For those interested in delving deeper into the city’s cultural offerings, this season promises visitors an enriching experience that bridges the past and present of artistic expression.