The Kyiv Biennial arrives in Berlin as a nomadic chapter, turning the KW Institute into a vessel for stories that transcend borders. This iteration, titled A Bird That Cannot Land, gathers over forty international voices to examine the Middle-East-Europe region—a space defined by the heavy echoes of coloniality and the persistent rhythm of migration. It is a profound meditation on the state of exile, suggesting that the inability to find a permanent home is perhaps the defining condition of our modern age.

You're watching a sprawling dialogue across the entire building, where the air hums with the static of archival sound and the soft glow of video installations. Large-scale fabric works by Gulnur Mukazhanova and the intricate, wire-like structures of Anna Zvyagintseva occupy the galleries, creating a landscape of affective architectures that feel both fragile and resilient. The scale is immersive, moving from the intimate whispers of diasporic memories to the resonant power of communal singing in the main hall.

• A Nomadic Milestone: Witness the evolution of the Kyiv Biennial as it travels outside Ukraine, creating a vital trans-European space for artistic resistance and reflection.
• Global Perspectives: See significant works from diverse figures like Hito Steyerl, Mona Hatoum, and Geta Brătescu together in a single narrative about displacement.
• Total Immersion: Experience the KW building entirely transformed, where the traditional boundaries between gallery space, concert hall, and academic forum are dissolved.

Start in the main hall to absorb the sonic installations before winding through the upper floors, where the video works demand a slower, more contemplative pace. The exhibition is designed as a polyphony, so let the different languages and sounds overlap rather than trying to isolate them. Afterward, walk through the courtyards of Auguststraße to reflect on how Berlin’s own history of division mirrors the themes explored in the show. Entry is free on selected Thursdays and special open house days.