A significant chapter of Berlin’s art history was at risk of fading into obscurity. Now, the Hamburger Bahnhof – National Gallery for Contemporary Art is preserving this legacy with a comprehensive re-presentation of its collection. Opening on June 12, 2026, in the museum’s west wing, the exhibition “A Thousand Berlins: The National Gallery Collection at Hamburger Bahnhof” commemorates the institution’s three decades as a museum of contemporary art. It focuses on Berlin’s art scene within a global conversation from 1989 to today. Berlin has long been a place of constant movement and negotiation, where artistic, political, and migratory paths intersect. This dynamism is reflected in over 70 works by more than 50 artists, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and video installations that explore the city’s myth between hedonism and subculture in an international context. The exhibition arrives at a critical moment for the museum. As reported by WELT, the Hamburger Bahnhof has faced existential challenges and is now experimenting with new funding models. The anniversary offers an opportunity to reposition the institution’s importance in Berlin’s cultural landscape. Simultaneously, the National Gallery continues to expand its collection. According to Berliner Zeitung, recent additions include 18 new acquisitions and two donations, featuring works by artists like Tina Bara and Wolfgang Tillmans. Since 2022, the collection has grown with pieces from a total of 70 artists. “A Thousand Berlins” thus serves not only as a retrospective but also as a statement of purpose. It documents how Berlin evolved into an international art hub after the fall of the Wall and the role the Hamburger Bahnhof played in this transformation. For visitors, the show provides a unique chance to trace three decades of Berlin’s art history against the backdrop of global developments. The works narrate stories of new beginnings, disruptions, and the ongoing renegotiation of urban identity in a changing world. The opening on June 12, 2026, kicks off an anniversary year with further events and programs. In doing so, the Hamburger Bahnhof not only safeguards artworks but preserves a piece of living Berlin history for future generations.
A Thousand Ways to Be Berlin. Nationalgalerie Collection at Hamburger Bahnhof
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