German museums host exhibitions on human-nature relationships

The Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch in Oldenburg has launched a new special exhibition titled ‘Naturmodus – Systeme in Bewegung’ (Nature Mode – Systems in Motion). Running until May 2, 2027, the interactive showcase explores how ecological and social systems interconnect, specifically focusing on urban green spaces as vital living systems for humans, animals, and plants.

The exhibition concludes the ‘Klimaoasen’ (Climate Oases) project, a collaboration between the museum, the city of Oldenburg, and the state of Lower Saxony. It aims to address the pressures on urban ecosystems, such as heat, drought, and biodiversity loss, by transforming the exhibition space into a refuge featuring local flora and fauna.

In Wuppertal, the Kunsthalle Barmen will present ‘Unfinished Paradise’ starting October 31. Inspired by the planned 2031 Federal Horticultural Show (BUGA), the exhibition features contemporary artistic perspectives on nature as a designed habitat, a vulnerable foundation for life, and an independent force. The works examine the tension between human desire to shape landscapes and the unpredictable ecological consequences of such interventions.