Why should summer outings with the kids always just be about classic playgrounds? Sure, a day at a water playground or in a colorful adventure world is a lot of fun together—but Berlin has so much more to offer. How about, for example, a magically sparkling enchanted forest? Here, young and old alike can not only marvel, but also experience, discover, and play for themselves. FOREST SEASONS is a temporary immersive light and media art installation at DARK MATTER Berlin, where not only raves take place, but special experiences for families are also offered. Especially during summer vacation, a visit offers the chance to escape the daily grind together and discover art in a variety of playful ways.
FOREST SEASONS is a temporary immersive light and media art installation at DARK MATTER Berlin. Created by Berlin-based light and media artist Christopher Bauder, it transforms the large TRANSFORMATOR Kunsthalle into an abstract, walk-through forest landscape. Here, nature, light, sound, movement, and the building’s industrial architecture come together. The exhibition runs through October 4, 2026 .
At the heart of FOREST SEASONS is the cycle of the four seasons. Over the course of a roughly 45-minute cycle, the installation passes through spring, summer, fall, and winter before the cycle begins anew. Throughout this process, the light, colors, movements, and sounds change continuously. At the same time, the seasons symbolize different phases of life. Spring and summer convey new beginnings, growth, and abundance, while fall and winter evoke transience, retreat, and tranquility .
In addition to the temporary exhibition FOREST SEASONS, visitors to DARK MATTER can also experience the permanent exhibition KOLLEKTION. It features seven light and media installations by Christopher Bauder that interweave light, space, sound, and technology. FOREST SEASONS, on the other hand, is located at the TRANSFORMATOR Kunsthalle, which is used for large-scale and rotating installations . As a result, the exhibition is a limited-time experience and will only be on view until early October 2026.
At FOREST SEASONS, light, sound, and movement enter into a dialogue that adults and children often perceive very differently. While adults may seek explanations and meanings behind the installations, children often experience the art much more intuitively. They move through the spaces, react immediately to light, movement, and sound, and can thus discover the installations in their own way. The swings in the middle of the light landscape are especially fun—kids can swing through the “forest” surrounded by colors, projections, and sounds. With this, DARK MATTER also aims to show that sophisticated media art can certainly fascinate a young audience and serve as a shared experience for different generations.
A special perk for families is the pricing. Children up to and including age six get completely free admission and don’t need a separate ticket. A special family ticket is available for children between the ages of seven and twelve. Plus, headphones can be rented for free on-site for children.
