Upcoming Exhibitions

HA Schult – Trash People: 30 Years Around the World

The internationally renowned performance artist HA Schult is one of the most significant figures in environmental and conceptual art. He gained worldwide fame with his “Trash People” —life-size figures made from packaging waste that have been exhibited at iconic locations such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, Red Square in Moscow, and in front of Cologne Cathedral. Currently, his art can be experienced on the Neckar River in Mannheim: Schult is transforming the former passenger ship MS Kurpfalz into the floating art project MS Rheingeist, which, along with his Trash People and the portraits from the Hotel Europa series, is set to embark on a multi-year journey through Europe.

But the ship project isn’t the artist’s only undertaking in Mannheim: Soon, the Trash People will also be marching to the University of Mannheim. To mark the 30th anniversary of the Trash People’s journey, the exhibition *Trash People: 30 Years Around the World* will be on view in the East Wing of the Castle from September 28 to October 15, 2026. It brings together numerous original sculptures with the fascinating history of the Trash People, who have been traveling the world for decades. At the same time, the exhibition demonstrates that HA Schult’s artistic call for sustainability, the conscious use of resources, and the protection of our environment is more relevant today than ever.

Accompanying the exhibition, visitors can look forward to a diverse program featuring lectures, discussions, and other events centered on sustainability and environmental protection. HA Schult will be present in person at select program events to provide insights into his artistic work and his decades-long commitment to environmental awareness.

In the video, you’ll find a brief glimpse into HA Schult’s current exhibition, complete with his own commentary. HA Schult is looking forward to exhibiting at the University of Mannheim soon.