Experience culture. Poetry Slam in Hamburg

Photo: Hans Hansen

With the exhibition “Photo: Hans Hansen”, the MK&G is devoting a large-scale retrospective to one of the leading photographers in post-war Germany. From 17 April to 1 November 2026, viewers will be able to discover around 220 iconic photographs from a career spanning over six decades. In international ad campaigns for companies including Lufthansa, Nikon, Volkswagen and Erco, Hans Hansen revolutionised product photography starting in the 1960s with images that would shape the collective visual memory of entire generations. Complementing examples from these campaigns are images created in close collaboration with designers such as Tapio Wirkkala. Publications, sketches and archival material as well as selected objects from Hansen’s own private collection provide deeper insights into his world. His most recent series, “Analog” (2024), also highlights Hansen’s distinctive clean-cut and minimalist visual language.

While the world outside the photographer’s studio has been constantly changing over the past 60 years, inside, an unvarying order prevails: A place for everything and everything in its place. In his “still lifes”, Hansen reduces objects to their essence, arranging, breaking down and structuring their shapes, colours and materials. In his photos, they take on a timeless air. One of the best-known examples is the photograph of a Volkswagen Golf (1988) that has been dismantled into some 7,000 individual parts.

Hansen’s works bear an unmistakable signature, focusing the gaze with radical clarity on the everyday world of things and design. At the same time, the photographer continually searches for new pictorial solutions. Light and shadow, composition and perspective are the central parameters and elementary means with which he calls into question the very nature of photography.

Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon

50 years of »The Dark Side of the Moon«: Pink Floyd’s best-selling album with the original tour members! »Great Gig in the Sky«, »Money«, »Us and Them«, »Time« – songs that created a timeless soundscape that redefined rock music. Unique and haunting melodies, profound lyrics, and a breathtaking light and laser show put Pink Floyd’s magnum opus in a new light. The show will be presented by a special star guest.

Pouring Art Workshop

Pour specially diluted acrylic paints onto the canvas and, by tilting and experimenting, create stunning patterns and color gradients. This technique allows you to craft abstract artworks with deep, complex textures without using traditional tools. Each piece you create will be truly one of a kind.

What Does the Workshop Offer You?

2-hour creative workshop

Professional guidance from our experienced artists

Two small test canvases and one 40x50 cm canvas

Free choice of colors

Drinks and snacks included

Who Is This Workshop For?

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist – this workshop is perfect for all creative minds eager to explore new techniques and expand their artistic skills.

Important Details

Our workshops are held in German. However, all of our instructors speak English and are happy to assist with any questions or guidance you may need during the session.

Pre-Political Hangout

Pre-Political Hangout

Quartet of Critics

Manuel Brug, Eleonore Büning, Joachim Mischke and Markus Thiel are among the most renowned music journalists in the German-speaking world. As the »Quartet of Critics«, they will discuss Gustav Mahler’s groundbreaking Symphony No. 1 and its various recordings before the concert at the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. Drawing on numerous record and CD recordings from almost a hundred years, they paint a vivid and entertaining picture of one of the most important works in classical music.


Mahler’s First is full of contrasts that left audiences perplexed in its day: it sounds sensual at times, coarse at others, first desperate, then exuberant again. But how did the great conductors and orchestras interpret this work, which is full of challenges for every musician? With numerous audio samples and pointed opinions, the Quartet of Critics discusses groundbreaking (and also obscure) recordings of the popular symphony.

Music critics and journalists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland have joined forces in the »Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik« (German Record Critics’ Award) association to regularly honour outstanding music and spoken word productions. This panel of up to 160 jurors attaches great importance to reaching independent judgements, uninfluenced by the interests of record and/or audiobook producers. A »Quartet of Critics« meets regularly to discuss a specific work in public and compare recordings.

PERFORMERS

Manuel Brug talk

Eleonore Büning talk

Joachim Mischke talk

Markus Thiel talk

QueerHistoryMonth | 100 Jahre schwule Geschichte – eine Reise durch Lust, Leben und Widerstand auf St.Pauli | Stadtführung

QUEERHISTORYMONTH

QueerHistoryMonth will take place in Hamburg from May 1st to 31st, 2026 (www.queerhistoryhamburg.de). Various events within the festival will bring the history (and stories) of the queer community in Hamburg to life. Everyone is welcome – Kings, Quings, Queens, Allies, Friends, (chosen) Families, and everyone in between and beyond!

Event

A captivating journey through 100 years of gay history: experience desire, persecution, emancipation and moving anecdotes between the scene, everyday life and memory.

Kai and Johannes will guide you through St. Pauli and take you on a fascinating journey through a century of gay life. Between the Reeperbahn and side streets, they'll recount moving, dramatic, and surprising moments in history.

Experience stories about female impersonators and sailors, denunciation and solidarity, legendary bars, cruising spots and peep shows – and about times of dancing bans and new beginnings.

A walking tour full of history, atmosphere and vivid insights into the historical queer St. Pauli.

Date: May 16, 2026

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m

Location: St. Pauli district

Meeting point: Spielbudenplatz, corner of Taubenstraße, 20359 Hamburg

Organized by: Hein and Fiete

Directors: Kai Reinecke, Johannes Friedrich (both Hein and Fiete)

Participation is free.

Due to limited space, please register by email to Kai.Johannssen@heinfiete.de

The event is not fully accessible, as the streets in St. Pauli are only partially well-developed. There are no accessible restrooms. The event takes place mostly outdoors.

Notes

As part of the public relations work for QueerHistoryMonth, photo and video recordings may be made.

QueerHistoryMonth is only responsible for marketing and coordination and is not the organizer of the individual events.

All organizational and content-related tasks, including security, permits and insurance, are the sole responsibility of the respective organizers (responsible organization).

QHM is not liable for the content, organization, or any damages that may occur during the events. The organizers indemnify QHM against all third-party claims, including those arising from injuries, property damage, or losses.