With the exhibition Expedition Weltmeere, the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn invites you on a fascinating journey through the oceans from October 2025. Between deep-sea mysteries, global economic flows and cultural places of longing, the show sheds light on the diverse relationship between humans and the sea - impressively, informatively and visually powerfully staged.
Around 70 % of the earth's surface is covered with water, 96.5 % of which is seawater. The oceans are considered to be the source of all life on earth. They provide raw materials, energy, food, transportation routes and function as a climate machine. Humans have been using waterways as a global highway for 4000 years and it seems almost paradoxical that we know more about the surfaces of the moon and Mars today than about the world's oceans, only 5% of whose depths have been explored.
Underwater robot explores the deep sea © SeaTops | Alamy Stock Photo
The topic of the world's oceans offers countless perspectives. Our cultural-historical and immersive exhibition focuses on the enjoyable exploration and investigation of different facets of maritime worlds and their transformation processes. We concentrate on three main themes: The deep sea with its enigmatic living environments and fragile ecosystem, the oceans as a contested economic space and basis of globalization and finally the oceans as a place of longing and transfer space for people and ideas. These mysterious realms have always been a source of inspiration for imagination and creativity: In addition to original objects from nature, science and technology, historical works of art and contemporary positions showcase the endangered beauty of maritime flora and fauna and encourage reflection on the changing relationship between man and the sea.
October 2, 2025 to April 6, 2026
