Saâdane Afif: Five Preludes LIVE
Performance programme accompanying the exhibition
Saâdane Afif
Five Preludes
12.12.2025 – 13.09.2026
Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart
Invalidenstraße 50, 10557 Berlin
Under the title Five Preludes, the Hamburger Bahnhof presents Saâdane Afif’s first institutional solo exhibition in Berlin. Featuring five key bodies of work from the past fifteen years, the exhibition offers insight into the creative process of the artist who has lived in the city since 2003.
Since 2004, Afif has invited artists, art historians, writers, or simply art lovers to write so-called lyrics inspired by his works. These texts not only questioned conventional notions of how artworks are interpreted and commented on; they also became an important element in Afif’s artistic practice. From the very beginning, it was important to him that they have a physical presence, and so he staged performances in which the texts were presented live by a singing or talking voice. Such lyrics were commissioned for all five bodies of works shown in the exhibition, and they will now be performed live by Berlin-based musicians.
The performances are part of the event series Hamburger Bahnhof On Tour. With this series, marking its 30th anniversary, the museum places a special focus on collaboration and exchange with other cultural partners across Berlin.
An event by Freunde* Guter Musik Berlin e. V. in cooperation with Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Musikinstrumenten-Museum SIM PK, Roter Salon der Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, KM28, Kantine am Berghain.
Concept: Saâdane Afif, Gabriele Knapstein
Advice: Catherine Lamb, Matthias Osterwold
Production: Ozan Maral, Vilém Wagner
Made possible by Hauptstadtkulturfonds. With support by Hamburger Bahnhof International Companions e.V.
Saâdane Afif_Five Preludes LIVE_Flyer
Abbildung:
S.A., Anthologie de l’humour noir, 2010
© Saȃdane Afif. VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2026. Fotos / Photos: © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Nationalgalerie / Jacopo La Forgia
