Munich, February 2026.
Krishna – which translates as the Dark One or the Black One – is one of the most popular and multiform divinities of Hinduism.
Recognizable from his dark-blue skin colour, and frequently shown playing a flute, Krishna has been inspiring people all over the world as a divine hero, spiritual lover and wise teacher.
From 24 April 2026, the special exhibition Krishna. Religion, Art and Pop Culture in the Museum Fünf Kontinente in Munich will portray this fascinating figure in a wide range of contexts and trace his presence in everything from religious traditions and classical works of art to modern pop culture.
With over 100 objects from the museum’s inventory – including sculptures, paintings and ritual objects – the exhibition looks in detail at the iconographic, regional and media diversity of Krishna representations.
The beginning is devoted to Krishna’s life story, and sheds light on the most important events. With the help of audiovisual media there is extensive coverage of religious practice – ranging from everyday worship at home to major festivals such as Janmashtami (the birth of Krishna) and the Holi Festival of Colours.
The final part of the exhibition shows Krishna in global pop culture, where he is usually seen as a symbol of the search for spiritual meaning, meditation and wellbeing and has a continuing presence today.
The exhibits originate from various cultural contexts and extend from historical objects to contemporary forms of expression. They thus include a magnificent swing from Rajasthan and a portable folding altar from Tirupati as well as accessible representations such as mass-produced clay figures and popular poster prints. Five precious, large-format religious wall hangings (pichwais) are a particular highlight.
Objects from different epochs, regions and contexts are deliberately juxtaposed to illustrate the consistency as well as the changes and shifts of meaning in the religious and cultural understanding of Krishna. With this exhibition, some of the works are being presented to the public for the first time.
The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) of the Ruhr-University Bochum.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication
Anne Hartig/Museum Fünf Kontinente and Patrick Felix Krüger (ed.) with contributions from Seema Bawa, Marion Frenger, Anishka Gheewala, Richard Hölzl, Isabella Nardi, Martin Papenheim, Neeraja Poddar and Knut Martin Stünkel and an introductory message by Uta Werlich: Krishna. Religion, Kunst und Popkultur, Deutscher Kunstverlag, Berlin and Munich 2026.
Events accompanying the special exhibition
Guided tours with the curator Anne Hartig Ph.D./J.N. Univ. New Delhi will take place on the following Sundays at 2pm: 3.5.26, 14.6.26, 2.8.26, 11.10.26, 8.11.26. A guided tour with the curator Dr Patrick Felix Krüger will take place on 10.5.26. Places are limited. Please register at kunstvermittlung@mfk-weltoffen.de.
These and more events accompanying the special exhibition can be found in the programme section.