Short Summary

The cultural and art scene centred around works, creative minds and designers is a large, dazzling field. In our summer special, we offer tips and recommendations on playful, touching, eye-catching, extraordinary and sensual exhibitions that make you want to travel, look and discover.

BUILDING BLOCKS? Far more than just simple little blocks for children to build with. Behind them lies an age-old human practice that spans cultures, generations and social boundaries. In the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel (Toy World Museum Basel), amazing worlds of blocks made of ever new combinations and materials are revealed in ‘inventing worlds through play’ (until 26 October). Play stations invite you to build your own world, change it and make it tangible.

GLITTER. As far as the eye can see: invented in 1934, the glittering material stands for more than just glamour, show and party. Used as a symbol of visibility, belonging and self-determination, glitter reflects a wide range of positions in politics, society, art and culture. The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (until 26 October) is the first exhibition worldwide to showcase the many facets of glitter, sparkle, iridescence and enchantment.

MAMA. From Maria to Merkel is the theme of the exhibition at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf (until 3 August). The exhibition is aimed at all those who would like to get closer to this multi-layered topic. With paintings, sculptures, video art and music from 6 centuries, a broad spectrum of perspectives on the role of mother and motherhood is revealed. The interactive component is exciting: Participants (mothers and non-mothers) are sought who would like to share their personal answers.

MONSTER CHETWYND. Or Lali. Or Spartacus. Behind these names lies the first female performance artist to be nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize in 2012. The London-based artist creates immersive worlds from the (humorous, improvised, astonishing) fusion of sculptural, installative and painted quotations from art history and pop culture. To be discovered in a scenography specially designed for the Kunsthaus Zürich (until 31 August).

PAPER, ROCK, SCISSORS. All materials and tools of art. The KinderKunstLabor for contemporary art in St. Pölten, which is primarily aimed at a young audience, uses the children's game ‘scissors, rock, paper’ to explore which materials artists choose for what, how they use them according to preference, perception or design, but also what the materials mean in everyday life (until 31 August). And when does craft actually become art?