The Rise and Fall of Erik Schmidt

Maschinenhaus M2

Das Kindl presents numerous works by Erik Schmidt from four decades and, as a multifaceted self-portrait, addresses questions of (queer) identity, community, and individuality.

• 

  Erik Schmidt Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, 2003 Poster Foto / Photo: Dirk Messner Courtesy: Carlier | Gebauer / Galerie Krinzinger © Erik Schmidt / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2025

• 

  Erik Schmidt, Richtergasse, 2024

Erik Schmidt (* 1968 in Herford, lives in Berlin) works across painting, drawing, photography, video, and performance. The KINDL presents his extensive body of work in multiple chapters, creating a multifaceted self-portrait that probes questions of (queer) identity, community, and individuality. Through richly layered compositions, Schmidt offers a perspective that is at times brutal and often humorous, exposing underlying social norms and structures.

Curator: Yara Sonseca Mas

The exhibition was developed by the Kindl – Centre for Contemporary Art, Berlin, and will be shown at EACC Castelló in 2026.

The exhibition is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.

The video work Recap is produced by Fluentum and will be shown for the first time as part of the exhibition.

A publication will accompany the exhibition, supported by the Leinemann-Stiftung für Bildung und Kunst (Leinemann Foundation for Education and Art).

Runtime: Sun, 14/09/2025 to Sun, 01/02/2026

Price info: If you don’t apply for reduced admission, you now have the choice between two prices: You can pay 7 euros (KINDL for YOU) or support the KINDL with 10 euros (YOU for KINDL).

Price: €10.00

Reduced price: €4.00

Reduced price info: Reduced admission applies to pupils, students, pensioners, severely disabled persons, holders of artCard.

Free admission for children and young people up to 18 years of age.

Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.

Takes place here:

• Kindl - Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst