From the end of June to the beginning of October 2026, Manifesta 16 Ruhr will take place across four cities in the Ruhr Area, Germany: Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen and Bochum, in 12 abandoned post-war church buildings spread across the Host Cities.
This edition will focus on the historic architectural and social renewal that occurred in the post-war era of the Ruhr Area, marked by the construction of Modernist and Brutalist churches, built to address the urgent needs of reconstruction and rapid population growth. The churches became a powerful new symbol of democracy, exemplifying citizen involvement as they were constructed with the physical manpower of the local communities.
Although these post-war churches have left a significant architectural legacy, a decline in church attendance over the last 30 years has led to many being abandoned or underused. The fate of these churches — whether they are to be demolished, repurposed or left to decay — requires urgent attention.
This edition’s Manifesta Artistic Team includes Hedwig Fijen, Henry Meyric-Hughes, Josep Bohigas, René Block, Leonie Herweg, Michael Kurtz, Gürsoy Doğtaş, and Polish art historians, critics and curators Anda Rottenberg and Krzystof Kościuczuk.
Invited Polish participants include Mirosław Bałka, Zuza Golińska, Nicolas Grospierre, Jarosław Kozłowski, Katarzyna Kozyra, Małgorzata Mirga-Tas, Anka Sasnal, Wilhelm Sasnal and Mikołaj Sobczak. Together, they represent different generations, artistic languages and approaches to contemporary art – from internationally renowned figures to emerging voices. Some are presenting existing works at Manifesta, while others are unveiling new commissions created specifically for the selected church spaces.
Find out more: Manifesta 16 Ruhr
Irruption of Antiquity: Aleksandra Waliszewska
Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece | 30th June – 27th September 2026
