Kunstformen Der Natur

September 6 - October 31

More than a century ago, biologist Ernst Haeckel scored a hit with his amazing illustrations of unseen organisms. We collected all 100 lithographs and blew them up to 5 times life size for our exhibition. Come see the originals next to their hallucinating blow-ups and the works of Dutch architect H.P. Berlage and design studio Bernotat&Co, who got inspired by the secret beauty of nature.

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Circular sticker 9 Kunstformen Der Natur - Circular image created from one of the Scans from Kunstformen der Natur Ernst Haeckel

Kunstformen der Natur

Kunstformen der Natur was first published in sets of 10 between 1899 and 1904. It consists of a total of a 100 lithographs by the hand of German biologist Ernst Haeckel and lithographer Adolf Giltsch. All of the individual sets were later combined to become one single book.

The lithographs with curious inscriptions such as Discomedusae and Radiolaria, present a wide range of spectacular and intriguing organisms. Part of them first described by Haeckel himself.

For the exhibition of Kunstformen Der Natur Mediamatic presents all 100 illustrations on spectacular scale. The 1904 publication of the book is in property of Mediamatic and also will be shown in the exhibition.

Berlage

Renowned Dutch architect H.P.Berlage found inspiration in Haekel's depiction of nature. 18 of his water-colour geometric pattern studies derived from Haeckel's work are included in the exhibition. The watercolors are a loan from Het Nieuwe Instituut and show designs for various ornaments and decorative objects.

Bernotat&Co

Amsterdam-based design studio Bernotat&Co recently presented their Radiolaria collection at the 2014 Salone Del Mobile in Milan. The installation consists of 11 lamps made from 3D knitted textile with glow-in-the-dark effect and is inspired by radiolaria shown in Kunstformen Der Natur.

Information

For further information visit: www.mediamatic.net/kunstformendernatur
Or visit our facebook event

Kunstformen der Natur
Wed - Sun 13:00 - 18:00
Mediamatic
VOC-kade 10
Amsterdam

Entrance: €5,- for a valid membership (5 euro for 9 weeks). Children under 12 are half price. Get your ticket now and become a Mediamatic Member*

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Kroon voor electrisch licht - Watercolor drawing by H.P. Berlage. Inspired by the Pilema. Discomedusae from the book Kunstformen Der Natur by Ernst Haeckel Hendrik P. Berlage

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Radiolaria switched on - Made from woven and knitted 3D spacer fabrics, which are normally hidden inside products and not used for optical purposes Marleen Sleeuwits

With: Bernotat&Co

*Membership

The Mediamatic Membership is your ticket to the exhibition. You become a member by registering on the web site and paying €5,- for two months (9weeks). The membership gives free admission to most events and exhibitions plus discount on drinks. We will also e-mail you information about our program unless you opt out of that service.
You can Facebook connect or make a local account on our website. However it is possible to become a member without revealing your identity.