When art, science, and the city converge, a space full of ideas and inspiration emerges. At the Kunstareal-Fest 2025, research becomes tangible—through dance, sound art, discussion, and interaction. From June 27 to 29, a vibrant program will unfold between Königsplatz and the Pinakotheken, transforming Munich's Maxvorstadt into an open laboratory for culture. At the heart of it all is this year's theme: Freedom - as an artistic attitude, a social issue, and a space for movement.
A special format that expresses the idea of freedom at the Kunstareal Festival in a unique way is TUM tanzt! Through performances, workshops, and discussions, dance becomes a unifying element between science, art, and society. Initiated by the TUM Center for Culture and Arts and the TUM School of Medicine and Health, the project invites participants to join in, reflect, and move together. The initiative is supported by the TUM University Foundation. It is led by Prof. Felix Mayer and Julia Ripke (both TUM Center for Culture and Arts), as well as Tina Schwender and Lisa Lugo (Department Health and Sport Sciences).
The latter two serve as teaching faculty for special tasks at the Operational Unit Applied Sports Science. “We hope this initiative creates a space for meaningful encounters—both on a dance-based, interpersonal level and as a platform for reflective dialogue on socially and scientifically relevant topics, which art can uniquely and holistically inspire,” says Schwender.
The following event series will take place on June 28 and 29 during the Kunstareal-Fest 2025:
Performances
roboTICKS: June 28, 5:00 PM, TUM Enrollment Hall: A human meets their robotic double – a performance exploring the space between technology and identity, original and reflection.
It Wasn’t Me!: June 29, 3:00 PM, FLUX: Dance theater for children aged 8 and up. With humor and energy, this piece explores excuses, guilt, and truth.
Ubuntu: June 29, 4:30 PM, Rotunda, Pinakothek der Moderne: Final performance of the “Community Dance” project week. A dynamic choreography about humanity and solidarity, created by TUM students in just six days, in collaboration with ExisTanz.
Workshops
Get Creative: June 28, 11:00 AM, Lecture Hall 0120, TUM: Simple movement impulses and improvisation invite participants to rediscover their bodies in a playful way.
Jazz Dance: June 28, 3:00 PM, Lecture Hall 0120, TUM: Powerful moves, dynamics, and rhythm: this workshop teaches basic techniques and choreography—suitable for beginners and advanced participants alike.
Hip Hop: June 29, 10:30 AM, Lawn in front of the Alte Pinakothek: Groove, style, and team spirit: an energetic introduction to hip hop – open to all skill levels.
Children’s Dance Theater Workshop: June 29, 3:30–4:15 PM, FLUX: After watching “It Wasn’t Me!”, children will explore their own movement ideas on themes like denial, trickery, manipulation, conflict, and reconciliation.
Discussion
ARTificial Encounters: June 28, 5:30 PM, TUM Enrollment Hall: Following roboTICKS, TUM researchers will discuss human-machine relations, AI, and ethics with the performing ensemble.
Bonus Program: On Friday, July 4, 2025, participants are invited to a trial workshop Tango Argentino at 5:30 PM at FLUX, followed by the tango evening Bella Milonga at 7:00 PM.
Registration for individual events is available via TUM tanzt!
Link to the Operational Unit Applied Sports Science homepage
Link to the TUM Center for Culture and Arts and TUM tanzt! homepage
Link to the Kunstareal-Fest 2025 homepage
Contact
Tina Schwender
Operational Unit Applied Sports Science
Am Olympiacampus 11
D-80809 Munich
Phone: +49 89 289 24613
Email: tina.schwender(at)tum.de
Lisa Lugo
Operational Unit Applied Sports Science
Am Olympiacampus 11
D-80809 Munich
Phone: +49 89 289 24522
Email: lisa.lugo(at)tum.de
Text: Bastian Daneyko
Photos: Private