The photography exhibition “PEOPLE – Heimat Europa” by photographer Carsten Sander, which opens at Bikini Berlin at 12 noon on Saturday 9 May 2026 to mark Europe Day, is more than just a collection of portraits. It uses individual faces to create a collective European self-image and challenges our understanding of home as a shared, open experience.
Image above: Carsten Sander, Refugee (Germany), courtesy of the artist
For years, Düsseldorf-based photographer Carsten Sander travelled through 27 European countries, taking portraits of people. He selected his subjects regardless of their background, age or public profile. Mario Adorf, Jean-Claude Juncker, Hannelore Elsner, Johann Lafer, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Iris Berben are recognisable, yet they do not stand out from the multitude of different people. This is because Sander’s approach is radically simple and, at the same time, unusually consistent: the same perspective, the same framing, the same pose. All those portrayed meet the viewer’s gaze on equal terms.
Carsten Sander’s long-term photographic project, “PEOPLE – Heimat Europa”, will be presented in May and June 2026 at BIKINI BERLIN in a large-scale, publicly accessible exhibition. The project’s distinctive feature lies in the equal treatment of those portrayed: celebrities, unknown individuals, young and old people all appear in the same visual language. Differences become visible and, at the same time, are put into perspective. Europe reveals itself to us – as a polyphonic community of individual biographies.
The exhibition follows a clear principle: maximum intimacy. Large-format portraits are displayed throughout the ground floor of the Concept Mall, seamlessly integrating into visitors’ everyday lives. BIKINI BERLIN becomes a gallery set amidst the urban landscape.
Everyone can take part + win
The exhibition ‘PEOPLE – Heimat Europa’ is conceived as an open space in which the public can both observe and actively participate.
At the heart of it all lies a simple yet fundamental question:
What does ‘home’ mean to you?
Visitors to ‘PEOPLE – Heimat Europa’ are invited to answer this question for themselves. Everyone can write down their personal definition of home, either on site or online, and submit it to the exhibition. The entries will be reviewed and then displayed in the exhibition. It will continue to grow throughout the exhibition period, thus becoming a collective, living portrait of Europe. Prizes to be won in a prize draw among all participants include photo shoots with Carsten Sander and an art shopping voucher for CSR.ART.
Find out more about this and how to get involved at www.people.jetzt.
Carsten Sander
The photographer and director Carsten Sander (born in Neuss in 1965) lives and works in Düsseldorf and Berlin. Portrait photography lies at the heart of his artistic practice. For him, it is a means of exploring identity and personality, a sense of belonging, and social diversity.
Sander became particularly well known for his long-term photographic projects “HEIMAT. Germany – Your Faces” and “Faces of Europe”, for which he spent years portraying people of different backgrounds, generations and life experiences. His work follows a consistent conceptual approach: the subjects are photographed from the same perspective and using the same visual language, thereby revealing individual differences without creating a hierarchy through staging. The facial expression is always neutral, the gaze directed straight into the camera. Only the clothing offers any clues.
Sanders’ works have been featured in numerous exhibitions and published as large-format coffee-table books by CALLWEY Verlag. His work has been recognised by figures including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who highlighted its significance for the social dialogue on diversity and cohesion. Sander’s approach lies at the intersection of documentary photography and conceptual series and is conceived as a visual archive of contemporary society. In addition to his photographic work, Carsten Sander is also active as a film director.
The exhibition is complemented by guided tours, artist talks and events that bring together different perspectives on Europe and the concept of home.
“PEOPLE – Heimat Europa” is a project that goes far beyond a traditional exhibition: it is an invitation to participate. A visual archive of contemporary Europe. A public space for encounter.
The project is being initiated and implemented by the non-profit organisation DEEDS.LAB gUG in collaboration with BIKINI BERLIN, CSR.ART and the art platforms ART@Berlin (www.artatberlin.com) and DEEDS.NEWS (www.deeds.news).
With the kind support of the Tagesspiegel and AG City.
WHEN?
Opening: Saturday, 09. May 2026 at 12 am
Exhibition dates: Saturday, 09. May until Saturday, 13. June 2026
Opening hours: Mo – Sa 10 am – 8 pm, Free entry
WHERE?
BIKINI BERLIN on the ground floor, in front of the monkey window
Budapester Str. 35-50
10787 Berlin
