Under the joint patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella

The exhibition at the Bröhan Museum is the first major retrospective of this movement, which was so important for the 20th century and brought together the most important Italian designers of the 1970s and 80s, including Alessandro Guerriero, Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, Andrea Branzi, Lapo Binazzi and others. While Bauhaus and German modernism were the milestones in the first half of the century, Alchimia is the major turning point in the second half of the century.

Unlike in Germany, the 1968 movement in Italy also affected design. A whole series of designer groups such as Archizoom and Superstudio developed in rapid succession in the second half of the 1960s. The Alchimia group, founded in Milan in 1976, brought the different approaches of the 1960s to perfection and to great international success.

Alchimia dared to take the logical step by exploring design beyond industrial production; the life itself was to become a gesamtkunstwerk. With its designs, Alchimia propagated a counter-reality, another vision for the world. It is a world full of cheerfulness, color, and aesthetics, that is intended to make clear that another reality is conceivable.

The exhibition will subsequently be shown at the ADI Design Museum, Milan.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalog published by Hirmer Verlag (German/Italian/English)

Supported by the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung
We would like to thank Zanotta for sponsoring the production of the Calamobio furniture for the exhibition.
Media partners: Wall GmbH, rbb24 Inforadio, radio3, H.O.M.E., tip, The Berliner, Dinamix

Curators: Tobias Hoffman and François Burkhardt
Curatorial Assistance: Theresa Augustin and Fabian Reifferscheidt
Exhibition Design: Katleen Arthen

Advertising Image: Alessandro Mendini, Poltrona di Proust, 1978, Alessandro Mendini Archive, photo: Carlo Lavatori; Alessandro Guerriero, Grafica Ollo, 1988, Design: Gerwin Schmidt, 2025

Exhibition Program

Opening of the Exhibition

Wed, April 16th, 6:00 PM, registration not required

Free Public Tours (plus museum admission)

Every Saturday at 3:00 PM, registration not required

Free Public Tour (plus museum admission) for Berlin Design Week 2025

Sun, May 18th, 4:00 PM, registration not required

Digital Curator Tour

On Tues, April 15th, 6:00 PM, live tour on Instagram @broehan_museum

Design Aperitivo

Fancy a special Italian summer evening? After an exclusive tour of the exhibition, we’ll wrap up the evening with a refreshing aperitif.
Every 3rd Friday of the month (May 16th / June 20th / July 18th / August 15th), 6:00 PM
Tour including one drink, €20 per person, limited participants, registration not required

Lecture by Alessandro Guerriero and Discussion

Thurs, May 22nd, 7:00 PM
More information and registration here

Lecture by Anna Gili and Discussion

Thurs, June 12th, 7:00 PM
More information and registration here

Summer Party

Thurs, July 3rd, from 6:00 PM

Long Night of Museums

Sat, August 30th, from 6:00 PM

Easter Holidays at the Bröhan Museum

Enchanted Room – Create Your Dream Room with Various Techniques
Mon–Thu, April 14–17, 10 AM–3 PM. For children ages 8–12.
More info and registration here.

Summer Holidays at the Bröhan Museum

Mon–Thu, September 1–4, 10 AM–3 PM. For children ages 8–12.
More info and registration here.

Family Sundays

Every 3rd Sunday of the month, 11 AM, for children (ages 5–12) and their families, 90 min.
Registration required at:
vermittlung@broehan-museum.de, Tel: 030/32690625.

To the program here

Training for Teachers

Fri, May 9, 4–6 PM. After an exclusive tour of the exhibition, the educational program for school classes will be presented.
Registration required. More info here.

Program for Daycare Centers and School Classes

As part of the exhibition, we offer creative programs for daycare centers and school classes.
More info and registration here.

Bookable Tours for Groups

You can book personalized tours of our exhibitions. Whether it’s a group tour, curator-led tour, or exclusive evening tour, we have the right offer.
Duration: 60 min, Cost: 80 €/120 €/200 € (plus museum admission).
More info and registration here.