27 May 2020

On Tuesday, 2 June 2020, the Akademie der Künste opens its Exhibition John Heartfield – Photography plus Dynamite

The exhibition John Heartfield – Photography plus Dynamite is on view at the Akademie der Künste on Pariser Platz from 2 June to 23 August 2020. All precautions have been taken so that visitors may comply with required public health and safety regulations.

John Heartfield (1891–1968) was one of the 20th century's most innovative artists. His now iconic political photomontages were beacons in the fight against National Socialism. To this day his works are of great European and international importance and have lost none of their explosive power. The exhibition explores the many facets of Heartfield's art while shedding light on his methods and the powerful image motifs that he used in very different contexts. It also traces their corresponding production processes. Works and documents ‒ including many that until now have remained largely unknown ‒ trace the artist's complex sphere of references, including his relationships to Bertolt Brecht, George Grosz, Wieland Herzfelde and Erwin Piscator.
Due to the current restrictions, tours or special events are not available. The special events programme accompanying the exhibition, funded by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), is now taking place online in an alternative, digital form. Readings, talks, concerts and films are available at: www.adk.de/heartfield. A lavishly illustrated catalogue published by Hirmer Verlag to accompany the exhibition is available in three languages (dt/en/nl).

‟Nationalism and right-wing thought are again a genuine threat in present-day Germany. In consequence and in the spirit of enlightenment, we are obliged to use all the means at our disposal to fight against hate, brutalisation, discrimination and violence: It's a matter of utmost importance for social harmony and democracy. This is even more true in view of the coronavirus pandemic, because crisis situations are the ideal breeding ground for conspiracy theories, right-wing hate tirades and antidemocratic thinking. Art has the unique power to create a space for reflection and to shape peaceful ways of coexistence. For this reason I am especially pleased that we can finally reopen our doors on Pariser Platz with this major retrospective."
Jeanine Meerapfel, President of the Akademie der Künste

Exhibition: John Heartfield – Photography plus Dynamite
Akademie der Künste, Pariser Platz 4, 10117 Berlin

2 June – 23 August 2020
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun, 11 am–7 pm; last admission at 6 pm
Admission: € 10/5. Free admission for under 19s
Press tickets are available as of 29 May: Journalists are requested to reserve a free time-slot ticket online and to show their corresponding press ID at the entrance to the exhibition without being asked.

Time-Slot Tickets for Visitors:
The exhibition may only be viewed with a timed ticket. Time-slot tickets can be purchased online as of 29 May: www.adk.de/tickets.

For further information about access, as well as health and safety precautions and regulations, click here

Online offers for the exhibition, click here

Press material on the exhibition, click here

Further exhibition venues are the Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle (17 Jan – 3 May 21) and the Royal Academy of Arts in London (27 June – 26 Sept 21).

The exhibition John Heartfield – Photography plus Dynamite is funded by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation).

Press Contacts:
Anette Schmitt, Tel. +49 (0)30 20057-1509, schmitt@adk.de
Mareike Wenzlau, wenzlau@adk.de