New Exhibition in the Ostflügel: Was bedeutet Glück?

Bilderrahmen hängen in einem grünen Flur an der Wand

From 2 March to 27 August 2026, the University of Mannheim will display photographer Rolf Großmann’s exhibition “Was bedeutet Glück?” on the ground floor in the Schloss Ostflügel and in the Schneckenhof forum of the Schloss.

The photo portraits included showcase people answering a question that is as simple as it is profound: What does happiness mean to you? The focus of this exhibition is not on staged scenes or perfection but on authentic encounters. Most of the photographs were taken spontaneously in public spaces. Complemented by corresponding personal statements, they open up individual perspectives on the topic of happiness.

For Rolf Großmann, a portrait is more than just an image—it is a dialog. The starting point for this project was his intention to not only show photos of people but also ask them about their personal definitions of happiness. In his works, happiness does not take the form of a spectacular event but that of an inner attitude that can be perceived in a person's gaze, posture, or way of speaking about their life. The photographs presented seek to spotlight moments where people show their true selves.

Presenting this exhibition at the University of Mannheim holds special meaning for the photographer. It was here that he spent his student years, co-founding the university soccer team in 1979. With this project, he now returns to a formative place in his life, inviting visitors to also ask themselves: What is happiness?

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