Many people love visiting “lost places” because there they can experience the mysterious atmosphere of abandoned sites in their original form. However, this experience becomes even more fascinating when such places serve as a backdrop for modern art. This creates a thrilling contrast between the building’s past and contemporary installations, uniquely blending architecture, light, and sound . That’s exactly what visitors can expect in Berlin this July: “The Dark Rooms: VEINS” is an exclusive pop-up exhibition taking place from July 10 to 26, 2026, transforming an abandoned Berlin movie theater complex into an immersive world of light, sound, and darkness.
Unlike traditional exhibitions, VEINS guides visitors through areas of a former movie theater that are not normally open to the public—including hidden service corridors, tunnels, and dark chambers. The exact venue remains a secret until shortly before the visit. Ticket holders will receive the address only 48 hours before their booked time slot. All that is known is that the exhibition takes place in a former Berlin movie theater complex, making the journey there itself part of the unique concept.
The exhibition will be open exclusively on three weekends between July 10 and 26, 2026 . A total of ten international artists will present large-scale light, sound, and media installations. A tour takes about 90 minutes. Visitors receive a welcome drink, and the number of participants per time slot is intentionally limited to ensure a more immersive experience. Admission is restricted to individuals 18 years of age and older.
At the heart of VEINS is not only the art but also the extraordinary venue. The exhibition makes use of the hidden levels of a former movie theater, turning its invisible architecture into part of the experience itself. Visitors move through a labyrinth of hallways, technical rooms, and dark chambers where light, sound, projections, and moving installations merge. The result is an immersive experience in which art and architecture form an inseparable whole.
Ten internationally renowned artists and studios from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Switzerland are participating in the exhibition. Contributors include, among others, Alexis Choplain, Boris Acket, Corey Schneider, Cristian Rizzuti, Joris Strijbos, Lumus Instruments, Sputniko!, Encor Studio, and Sven Sauer & CEYYS. Their works combine light art, electronic music, kinetic sculptures, and digital technologies to create multisensory installations.
