When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition runs from 03.07.2026 to 11.10.2026 at the Kunsthalle Mannheim.

What is the admission fee?

The regular admission fee is 16 euros. Discounts and free admissions apply according to the museum for certain groups of people.

Are there guided tours of the exhibition?

Yes, the accompanying program includes public guided tours. According to Kunsthalle Mannheim, these start at 6 euros or also with varying ticket prices depending on the format.

Is the Kunsthalle accessible for people with disabilities?

The Kunsthalle Mannheim provides information on accessibility and access on its visitor page. For specific needs, it is advisable to check the official visitor information.

What is the address of the museum?

The Kunsthalle Mannheim is located at Friedrichsplatz 4, 68165 Mannheim.

Can one obtain more information online before visiting?

Yes, the Kunsthalle Mannheim provides exhibition and visitor information on its website.

An exhibition that radically re-envisions reality.

Name: RADICAL. REAL. Nouveau Realism and the Art of the 1960s
Start: 2026-09-16T10:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-11T18:00:00+02:00
Location: Kunsthalle Mannheim

RADICAL. REAL. at the Kunsthalle Mannheim: When Reality Itself Becomes Art Material

The Kunsthalle Mannheim dedicates the largest special exhibition in Germany on Nouveau Realism and its surroundings in more than fifteen years. RADICAL. REAL. Nouveau Realism and the Art of the 1960s opens from 03.07.2026 to 11.10.2026, offering a multifaceted view of a movement that redefined the relationship between art, everyday life, and society.

An Art Experience between Object, Body, and Consumer Society

At the center is the direct engagement with reality: found objects, industrial materials, monochrome color fields, and performative interventions make visible how radically the art of the 1960s broke the boundaries of painting. Starting from outstanding works from the Kunsthalle's collection, a precisely curated examination unfolds with major works by Arman, César, Yves Klein, Mimmo Rotella, Daniel Spoerri, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Jacques de la Villeglé.

The 1960s as an Era of Change

Nouveau Realism arose in the environment of Paris and became an international visual language that dealt with consumption, urbanity, body, and identity. The exhibition shows how these artists did not romanticize the mundane but took it seriously as an aesthetic experience: as a remnant, trace, imprint, montage, and appropriation. It is precisely this that gives this presentation its special power: It makes visible how art gains a new language of form from reality.

Between Collection Treasure and Global Perspective

The exhibition goes beyond a mere style history. For the first time, it outlines a comprehensive, multipolar, and global cartography of the movement centered in Paris. In addition, positions that simultaneously worked on similar questions and contributed significantly to the definition of the new artistic language emerge. This creates a dense picture of those years, in which painting, sculpture, installation, and object art encountered each other in an open field.

Curatorial Handwriting and Cultural Education

Curated by Luisa Heese, the exhibition combines art historical authority with museum mediation. The Kunsthalle Mannheim works with its collection, its research competencies, and its educational mission: A visit becomes not only a viewing of significant works but also an access into the art history of the post-war period. Those interested in art education, exhibition curation, and the history of the avant-garde will find here an exhibition that is as insightful as it is sensual.

Why Visiting is Worthwhile

RADICAL. REAL. promises an intense art experience full of energy, materiality, and intellectual sharpness. The exhibition opens new perspectives on Nouveau Realism, on the art of the 1960s, and on the question of how much art can resonate from reality. Anyone enthusiastic about modern art, sculpture, object art, and cultural-historical contexts should experience this exhibition live.