The Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum (HAUM) is dedicating its first comprehensive retrospective exhibition in Europe to the internationally renowned artist Lothar Osterburg (born in Braunschweig in 1961) from April 24, 2026. Drawing on historical art and curiosity cabinets as well as the gallery spaces of the HAUM, Osterburg develops multimedia visual worlds between dream, memory, and fantasy that appeal to visitors of all ages.
His works combine printmaking—in particular the rare heliogravure technique—photography, sculpture, model making, and video. Key cycles such as "Piranesi," "Babel," "Alternative New York," and "Waterline" are on display, supplemented by video works with music composed for this exhibition by Elizabeth Brown.
The exhibition combines monumental imagery with intimate cabinets inspired by historical interiors. There are also miniature representations of Osterburg's own studios—such as the unheated attic room in the eastern ring area of Braunschweig. The stage-like scenes combine the aesthetics of a "peep box" with the meticulous inventory of a diorama. The touching and humorous transformation of everyday materials into art objects becomes comprehensible and repeatedly refers to artists, rooms, and works within the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum.
Osterburg has lived in the USA since 1987 and taught at Bard College for over 25 years. His works are held in international collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London, and the Library of Congress in Washington.
April 24 to August 30, 2026
