Glitter? Glitter! For the first time ever, this ubiquitous material is the focus of a museum exhibition – and it is well worth taking a closer look at these multi-layered, typically hexagonal particles and their myriad uses. Invented in its present form in the state of New Jersey in 1934, glitter has since spread across many different social, cultural and political contexts. The tiny sparkles are found in everyday life as well as on stages, at parties and during protests, as a crafting material or on the red carpet. Glitter is used for embellishment, yet is simultaneously regarded as cheap; it adds value while itself being undervalued. It flickers and seems to be in constant motion, but also clings tenaciously to just about everything it touches. The works showcased in the exhibition play with the manifold characteristics and multi-faceted connotations of this material. They utilise the capricious and flamboyant qualities of glitter to mesmerise and create connections, to empower and lend visibility. Many voices and perspectives have been assembled: personal anecdotes and political statements, artistic approaches and handmade fan-art. But we also want to hear from you! So we invite you to participate, to keep on collecting, to share your input or even disagree with us. And above all: join us in glittering

The exhibits include a glittering teen bedroom designed by Hamburg artist Jenny Schäfer, photographs by Quil Lemons, skateboards by Mickalene Thomas, GIFs by Molly Soda, show wigs designed by Hamburg wig wizards Karl Gadzali and Mohamad Barakat-Götz for Olivia Jones, and a stage outfit worn by Bill Kaulitz. Visitor participation is encouraged – people can for example send in their favourite private objects in advance of the opening, add important glitter events to a sparkling timeline or design their own glittering items in the DIY room. Glitter tickets and vouchers are available in our online shop. Starting in June 2025, the exhibition will add 300 square metres of fuchsia glitter with the spatial installation “Puff Out” by the Turkish-Belgian duo :mentalKLINIK.

Participating artists: :mentalKLINIK (Belgium / Turkey), 3rzhuobabypink (China), Damali Abrams (USA), Hannah Altman (USA), Pansy St. Battie (USA), Sophia Bizer (Germany), Chila Kumari Singh Burman (UK), Alea Burmester (Germany), Rafa BQueer (Brasil), Marina Carniglia (Argentina), Travis Carr / Glitter Archives (USA), Dean und Dan Caten (Canada), Peggy Chen (Taiwan), Analía Cid (Argentina), T.L. Cowan (Canada), ckdesignedit (USA), María Domínguez Moreno / Doodlelingyou (Spain), Dracula Nails (Hungary), Sarah Drath (Germany), Karl Gadzali und Mohamad Barakat-Götz (Germany), Cao Guimarães und Rivane Neuenschwander (Brasil), Franzischek (Germany), Fuego Nails (UK), Regine Eurydike Hader (Germany), Honeybabyset / Keele Ma’Ilo (Canada), The Huxleys (Australia), Afa/Soppi Isla Berlin (Germany), Bill Kaulitz (Germany / USA), Mercedes Grassi King (Argentina), Quil Lemons (USA), Maria Vanails (Greece), Mirjana Mitrovic (Germany), Nettlen Nails (USA), Pannkks (Spain), Andrés Pérez (Venezuela), Sam Reece / Shitty Craft Club (USA), Ayelén Rodríguez (Argentina), Jenny Schäfer (Germany), Sex Nails (Germany), Molly Soda (USA), Fleur Stiels / Holy Glitter Zine (Netherlands), Reina Takano/Hitomebore (Japan), Thams Does Claws (Germany), Britney Tokyo (USA), Fiona Tretau / The Propcorner (Germany), Lorenzo Triburgo und Sarah Van Dyck (USA), unitas_f3ass (USA), Zaira Vega (Mexico), Gisela Volá (Argentina) and others.

Nail Artists: 3rzhuobabypink (China), Peggy Chen (Taiwan), ckdesignedit (USA), Dracula Nails (Hungary), Franziska Unger / Franzischek (Germany), Natasha Blake / Fuego Nails (UK), Reina Takano / hitomebore (Japan), Keele Ma’llo / Honeybabysets (Canada), Afa/Soppi / isla Berlin (Germany), Louise Corbert / Nettle Nails (USA), Anna Sancho Barbera / Pannkks (Spain), Minki Warhol / Sex Nails (Germany), Thams Does Claws (Germany), Citlali Guetierrez / unitas_f3ass (USA), Britney Tokyo (USA), Maria Vanails (Greece), Zaira Vega (Mexico)

Exhibition Design: TheGreenEyl, Graphic Design: Rimini Berlin

Supported by Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation), the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the Hapag-Lloyd Foundation and the Hans Brökel Foundation for Science and Culture.