Press release
What motivates artists worldwide to create artworks for children? What does it mean to be a child today? Is childhood a closed chapter or a state of being? Haus der Kunst explores these questions with the group exhibition “For Children. Art Stories since 1968”. The exhibition is based on several years of research, and brings together works by over twenty international artists that have been created specifically for a young audience since the late 1960s. Visitors of all ages are invited to enter into a dialogue with contemporary art and with each other, to rethink today’s understanding of childhood.
The group exhibition unfolds across multiple areas of Haus der Kunst, extending all the way to the terrace facing the Eisbach. There, a new sculpture by KOO JEONG A invites visitors to skate, while Ei Arakawa-Nash calls on everyone to draw on the floor of the Mittelhalle. In the Archiv Galerie, the happening-like actions of the KEKS group are presented – a collective that formed in 1968 in the context of the Munich Art Academy. The presentation includes previously unpublished materials and marks the historical starting point of the exhibition, which unfolds across the entire Ostgalerie, the Foyer, the Terrassensaal and the Atelier. “For Children” explores universal themes such as humanity, society, politics, economy, environment, technology, and the future – topics we first encounter as children and that accompany us throughout our lives.
Andrea Lissoni, Artistic Director: “With this group show, we are continuing to develop new ways of exhibition-making, in order to question traditional narratives and look beyond linear art-historical stereotypes. Over the last three years, we have gradually started to take a more holistic view of programming, allowing each project to flow into the next, developing previously unrecognised links within art history and exploring the influence of newly developed art forms.”
Until the mid-20th century, artworks made for children primarily involved designing toys, building sets, and children's furniture. However, from the late 1960s onwards, artists around the world began to create works that invited children to collaborate, treated them as equal and capable recipients, and encouraged autonomy and respon-sibility for their own actions. They increasingly saw young people as a relevant audience, as well as active participants and co-creators of their works.
This development took place parallel to the emergence of new art forms. The exhibition “For Children” thus connects to our previous show, “Inside other Spaces. Environments by Women Artists 1956–1976” and highlights the influence of newly developed art forms, such as the Environment, on subsequent generations of artists.
Artists included amongst others KOO JEONG A (b. 1967, South Korea), Agus Nur Amal PMTOH (b. 1969, Indonesia), Ei Arakawa-Nash (b. 1977, Japan), Tarek Atoui (b. 1980, Lebanon), Yto Barrada (b. 1971, France), Antoine Catala (b. 1975, France), Neha Choksi (b. 1973, USA), DIS (since 2010, USA), Ólafur Elíasson (b. 1967, Denmark), Harun Farocki (1944–2014, Czech Republic/Germany), Emily Floyd (b. 1972, Australia), Jan Peter Hammer (b. 1970, Germany), KEKS (1968–1972, Germany), Eva Koťátková (b. 1982, Czech Republic), Basim Magdy (b. 1977, Egypt), Ana Mendieta (1948–1985, Cuba/USA), Meredith Monk (b. 1942, USA), Lygia Pape (1927–2004, Brazil), Bruce Nauman (b. 1941, USA), Ernesto Neto (b. 1964, Brazil), Rivane Neuenschwander (b. 1967, Brazil), Rachel Rose (b. 1986, USA), Afrah Shafiq (b. 1989, India), Tromarama (since 2006, Indonesia).
Curated by Andrea Lissoni, Emma Enderby, Lydia Korndörfer, Xue Tan with Lydia Antoniou, Laila Wu, as well as Sabine Brantl (Archive), Pia Linden and Camille Latreille (Learning and Engagement).
Supported by Beisheim Stiftung, Teiger Foundation and Hackenberg Stiftung.
Duration
18.7.25 – 1.2.26
Downloads
Press kit (DE)
Press kit (EN)
Biographies
Exhibition Compass
Checklist
Wall texts (DE | EN)
Press release "Third Place" (DE)
Press Release (DE)
Press Release (EN)
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Ernesto Neto
Uni Verso Bebé II Lab, 2007/2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Emily Floyd
Steiner Rainbow (6 Meters), 2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
left: Harun Farocki, Bedtime Stories (Cat), 1973–74
right: Rivane Neuenschwander, in collaboration with Guto Carvalhoneto, The Name of Fear / Rio de Janeiro (Monster | Stranger), 2017
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Ólafur Elíasson
The cubic structural evolution project, 2004
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Basim Magdy
PINGPINPOOLPONG, or How I Learned to Laugh at Failure, 2018
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Eva Koťátková
Blankets, Monsters, Anna and the World, 2022–25
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Tarek Atoui
band camp, 2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Antoine Catala
Jardin synthétique à l'isolement, 2014
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: Agostino Osio
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Ernesto Neto
Uni Verso Bebé II Lab, 2007/2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Eva Koťátková
Blankets, Monsters, Anna and the World, 2022–25
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Agus Nur Amal PMTOH
Goodness and Disaster, 2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Yto Barrada
Lyautey Unit Blocks (Play), 2010
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Exhibition View
Rivane Neuenschwander,
The Name of Fear, 2015–25
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Ólafur Elíasson
The cubic structural evolution project, 2004
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Agus Nur Amal PMTOH
Goodness and Disaster, 2025
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Yto Barrada
Lyautey Unit Blocks (Play), 2010
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Antoine Catala
Jardin synthétique à l'isolement, 2014
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
Credit
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Basim Magdy
PINGPINPOOLPONG, or How I Learned to Laugh at Failure, 2018
Exhibition View
Haus der Kunst München, 2025
Photo: David Levene
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Ei Arakawa-Nash
Mega Please Draw Freely, 2021
Photo: Brotherton-Lock
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
Rivane Neuenschwander in collaboration with Guto Carvalhoneto
The Name of Fear/Vaduz (Enge Räume/People in Disguise), 2021
Cotton twill, polyester, quilt batting, pvc, buttons
98 x 92 x 10 cm
Photo: Mateus Augusto Rubim
For Children. Art Stories since 1968
KOO JEONG A x Wheelscape
Evertro, 2015
Liverpool Biennale, UK
Photo: Gareth Jones
Credit
KOO JEONG A, OooOoO Malmö, 2024. Malmö Konsthall, Sweden. Photo: Helene Toresdotter/AlexanderOlivera. Courtesy the artist and Pilar Corrias, London © KOO JEONG A
Credit
Eva Koťátková, Blankets, Monsters, Anna and the World, installation view, Meyer Riegger, Berlin, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Meyer Riegger. Photo: Oliver Roura
Credit
Eva Koťátková, Blankets, Monsters, Anna and the World, installation view, Meyer Riegger, Berlin, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Meyer Riegger. Photo: Oliver Roura
Credit
Emily Floyd, Steiner Rainbow, 2006, MDF, two-part epoxy paint, 1801 × 361 × 180 cm © Emily Floyd, artwork photography by John Brash, image courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery. Collection QAG GOMA
Credit
Basim Magdy, PINGPINPOOLPONG, or how I learned to laugh at failure, 2018, Ping Pong table, metal and 3D printed parts, Vinyl lettering, metal cups © Basim Magdy, 2020
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Harun Farocki, Bedtime Stories: Bridges, 1977 © Harun Farocki 1977
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Harun Farocki, Bedtime Stories: Ships, 1977 © Harun Farocki 1977
Credit
DIS, Circle Time with Ceyenne Doroshow, 2021, 13:32 min (video still)
Featuring Ceyenne Doroshow
Directed by Terence Nance
Edited by Ryan Trecartin
Produced by TELFARTV, The Umma Chroma, Replica, DIS
Credit
Jan Peter Hammer, The Jungle Book, 2013
Credit
The Lost Jungle
by Tromarama
Live simulation, real-time internet-based data, website, sound
Infinite duration
2021-2025
Commissioned for UOB–Museum MACAN Children’s Art Space, 2021 (updated version supported by Haus der Kunst München, 2025)
Credit
Installation view of Tarek Atoui: The Whisperers at The FLAG Art Foundation, 2022
Photography by Steven Probert
Credit
Ólafur Elíasson, The cubic structural evolution project, 2004. 21st Century: Art in the First Decade, 18 December 2010 – 26 April 2011, QAGOMA, Brisbane, Australia, photo: Mark Sherwood © Ólafur Elíasson
Credit
Ólafur Elíasson, The cubic structural evolution project, 2004. 21st Century: Art in the First Decade, 18 December 2010 – 26 April 2011, QAGOMA, Brisbane, Australia, photo: Mark Sherwood © Ólafur Elíasson
Credit
Rachel Rose, Lake Valley, 2016, HD video, 8' 25'', video still, edition of 6 plus 2 artist's proofs
Courtesy of the artist and Pilar Corrias, London & Gladstone Gallery, New York, Brussels and Seoul © Rachel Rose
Credit
Rachel Rose, Lake Valley, 2016, HD video, 8' 25'', edition of 6 plus 2 artist's proofs
Installation view, LVII. Biennale di Venezia: Viva Arte Viva, 13 May–26 November 2017
Courtesy of the artist and Pilar Corrias, London & Gladstone Gallery, New York, Brussels and Seoul
Photography: Andrea Rossetti © Rachel Rose
Credit
Still from the game Nobody Knows For Certain, Afrah Shafiq, 2023, Courtesy: the artist
Credit
Afrah Shafiq, Nobody Knows For Certain, 2023. Installation view Very Small Feelings (4 July-3 October 2023) Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, Courtesy: KNMA
Credit
Bruce Nauman
For Children/For Beginners, 2009
© 2025 Bruce Nauman / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, Courtesy Sperone Westwater, New York
