The New Objectivity–A Centennial

In 1925, Gustav F. Hartlaub, then director of the Kunsthalle Mannheim, succeeded in defining an entire era with a single term — the title of his exhibition New Objectivity. A hundred years later, the Kunsthalle Mannheim is once again dedicating a major exhibition to the phenomenon of New Objectivity, with scenography and an immersive installation designed by Pikdrei.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of New Objectivity, inspired by the skewed perspectives found in the artworks of this period. Partition walls rarely meet at right angles, playfully challenging perception. Bold colors emphasize each room’s thematic focus. Since the original 1925 exhibition design is unknown, the information texts are presented on canvas frames, interrupting the image sequences as a subtle reference. An immersive video installation brings the original works from the 1925 exhibition back to life.