The venue, which will be built on the Schlossplatz, or Palace Square, in the heart of what was once East Berlin, will offer some 6,400 square feet (600 square meters) of exhibition space.

It will stand only until 2010, giving it the name "Temporary Art Hall Berlin," or in German "Temporaere Kunsthalle Berlin."

"We want to exhibit artists with a connection to Berlin who are on their way to worldwide renown but up until now haven't had the opportunity to be presented in Berlin," Wowereit said.

During its brief life span, the temporary structure will play host to 10 exhibitions, eight in the indoor space and two on the building's facade _ all from artists based in the German capital.

Curator Angela Rosenberg presented the exhibition program, which includes shows by Gerwald Rockenschaub, Katharina Grosse and art duo Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla.

"The Kunsthalle will be a living exhibition space where Berlin can reflect on the art that is being produced here," Rosenberg said.

Also known as the "White Cube," the hall was design by Vienna-based architect Adolf Krischanitz to stand at the home of the former East German parliament, the Palace of the Republic, which is being dismantled.

Plans call for the reconstruction of the facade of a Prussian royal palace that stood at the site until it was dynamited by the East German government in 1950. Behind the facade, exhibition space is expected.