From August 28 to September 21, 2025, the historic Markthalle Chemnitz will host one of the most ambitious international graffiti and street art exhibitions to date: HALLEN KUNST: ART IN TRANSIT & BEYOND. As part of the Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture program, the exhibition revisits graffiti’s origins in the 1970s and traces its evolution into one of today’s most influential art forms.

This monumental return of HALLEN KUNST—after its initial breakthrough in 2010—transforms the Markthalle into a space where subculture, art history, and contemporary practice collide. It is more than an exhibition: it is a statement on graffiti’s rightful place within the canon of modern art.

Niels “SHOE” Meulman signing his monochram

Two Exhibitions in One

HALLEN KUNST unfolds in two complementary parts:

The Timeline Exhibition (1970–2025): A historical survey charting graffiti’s roots in New York’s subways, its spread across Europe, and its eventual recognition in museums and biennales. The timeline highlights key milestones such as Wild Style (1983), the groundbreaking book Subway Art by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, and the early European exhibitions that legitimised graffiti within the fine art world.
ART IN TRANSIT & BEYOND – Group Exhibition: Featuring over 70 international artists, this contemporary showcase demonstrates graffiti’s transformation from urban rebellion to global cultural language. About half of the works were created on site during an Artists-in-Residence program in Chemnitz (2023–2025), reflecting the vitality of graffiti as a living, evolving practice.

The Curators Behind the Vision

The exhibition is guided by a remarkable team of curators, each deeply rooted in graffiti’s cultural legacy:

René Kaestner (Chemnitz/Berlin) – co-founder of the original Hallenkunst (2010), he brings long-standing commitment to legitimising street art in institutional contexts.
R. M. Schmidt (Hamburg) – an independent curator and author known for chronicling German and European graffiti histories.
Cezary Hunkiewicz (Warsaw) – director of the Galeria Szara Kamienica, with expertise in bridging urban art and Polish cultural institutions.
Christian Omodeo (Paris) – internationally respected scholar and author, founder of Le Grand Jeu, and editor of pivotal books on graffiti and street culture.
Aileen Middel (Mick La Rock) (Amsterdam) – legendary graffiti writer and curator, bridging her roots in the Amsterdam scene of the 1980s with institutional curating.
Jasper van Es (Eindhoven) – curator and cultural strategist, founder of the EMOVES Urban Culture Festival.

Together, they create a European lens on graffiti, connecting local movements with global narratives.

Spotlight on the Artists

The exhibition presents works by pioneers, chroniclers, and contemporary innovators:

Futura 2000 (USA): A graffiti pioneer from New York, famed for abstract, futuristic lettering and collaborations with The Clash.
Dondi White (USA): Known as the “Style Master General,” Dondi’s subway paintings defined the golden age of New York graffiti.
Blade (USA): Dubbed the “King of Graffiti,” he painted over 5,000 trains in New York and influenced generations of writers worldwide.
Seen (USA): Another iconic “subway king,” Seen’s colorful and bold letterforms became synonymous with 1980s graffiti.
Martha Cooper (USA): Photographer whose documentation of New York’s graffiti and hip-hop scene (Subway Art, 1984) inspired countless artists globally.
Henry Chalfant (USA): Photographer and filmmaker, co-creator of Style Wars and Subway Art, who immortalised the early days of graffiti culture.
Keith Baugh (UK): Photographer and author documenting New York’s subway art and its influence on Europe.
Niels “Shoe” Meulman (NL): Amsterdam graffiti pioneer, later founder of “Calligraffiti,” merging lettering traditions with contemporary art.
MADC (DE): One of the most influential female graffiti artists worldwide, known for her vibrant murals and canvases.
M-City (PL): Master of large-scale industrial stencils, his works are globally recognised for their intricate patterns.
Kashink (FR): Paris-based artist, known for bold, colorful faces challenging stereotypes and gender norms.
Sainer (PL): Part of the Etam Cru duo, renowned for his surreal large-scale murals.
Mick La Rock (NL): Both an artist and curator, bridging graffiti’s raw energy with institutional narratives.

This mix of foundational figures and contemporary voices highlights graffiti’s generational continuity and its ever-expanding artistic vocabulary.

Yaki Kornblit – From Amsterdam to Chemnitz

A highlight of this exhibition is the involvement of Yaki Kornblit, the legendary Amsterdam gallerist who was one of the very first to bring graffiti into Europe’s contemporary art scene. In 1983, Kornblit staged exhibitions with New York icons such as Dondi White, Futura 2000, Blade, Crash, and Seen, effectively writing graffiti into European art history.

For HALLEN KUNST 2025, Yaki Kornblit plays a pivotal role once again—lending important works from his private collection. His contribution not only enriches the historical timeline but also underscores his continued dedication to ensuring graffiti’s legacy is preserved and celebrated.

UNLOCK Book Fair – Graffiti in Print

Running alongside the exhibition is the UNLOCK Book Fair, gathering over 60 international publishers, presses, and zine editors who specialise in graffiti, street art, and independent print culture. Visitors can discover rare books, magazines, and artist publications that have long been essential in documenting and spreading graffiti worldwide.

Why HALLEN KUNST Matters

Global Legacy: Graffiti has evolved from subway walls to museum halls, shaping visual culture worldwide.
Cultural Dialogue: By uniting pioneers, contemporary artists, and curators, the exhibition connects generations and geographies.
Living Culture: With its residency program, new works, and the UNLOCK Book Fair, HALLEN KUNST proves graffiti is not only history, but an ongoing creative force.

Conclusion

HALLEN KUNST: ART IN TRANSIT & BEYOND is more than an exhibition. It is a celebration of graffiti’s past, present, and future, highlighting the voices of pioneers like Futura, Seen, and Martha Cooper, alongside contemporary leaders like MADC and Kashink. With the invaluable contribution of Yaki Kornblit’s private collection, the show reaffirms graffiti’s position as one of the most important cultural movements of our time.

This exhibition will not only inspire art lovers and collectors but also mark a historic milestone in the recognition of graffiti within the international art world.