The exhibition Kandinsky´s Universe: Geometric Abstraction in the 20th Century at the Museum Barberini impressively demonstrates how profoundly painting was changed by the turn to abstraction. Lines and surfaces, colors and shapes - the artistic examination of the world became more playful and thus freer. Film also played an important role in this development. Artists themselves were influenced by the emergence and success of film. And conversely, filmic trends were influenced by constructivist ideas, for example, and in turn changed the view of what film is and can be. The two-part accompanying program at the Filmmuseum Potsdam (Breite Str. 1a, 14467 Potsdam) brings together known and unknown short films on geometric abstraction.

Saturday, 5.4.2025, 7.30 pm
Compositions in form, sound & color
Short film program, 1921-1986, approx. 73' in total
The program traces the historical development of geometric abstraction in film. From the “absolute film” of Walter Ruttmann or Viking Eggeling to the optical symphonies of Mary Ellen Bute. The film compositions range from still and optical to melodic and audiovisual.
Introduction: Lucas Wolfram (film curator)

Saturday, 17.5.2025, 7.30 pm
The geometric view
Short film program, 1936-1982, approx. 80' in total
The second program is dedicated to the different formal varieties of geometric abstraction in film. Across all genres and decades, the geometric repeatedly plays an important role.

During the duration of the exhibition, the Film Museum will also be presenting animated films in its children's film program on the weekends, which play artistically and imaginatively with form and color as well as with elements of abstraction. 

On presentation of an admission ticket to the Museum Barberini, the Filmmuseum Potsdam grants reduced admission to the above films. On presentation of a ticket for the film screenings, the Museum Barberini grants reduced admission to the exhibition “Kandinsky´s Universe”.