Anima / Animal at Schaulager Erdel: Animals as mirrors of human experience
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When animals become mirrors of the human soul
The group exhibition Anima / Animal: Animals in Contemporary Painting invites visitors to a profound examination of works at the Schaulager Erdel in Regensburg. Seven contemporary artists from different cultural backgrounds demonstrate how animals appear in painting as symbols of identity, social order, emotional states, and the relationship between humans and nature.
Between familiarity, strangeness, and inner landscapes
Animals are among the oldest motifs in the history of art. In this exhibition, they appear as alter egos, companions, mythical creatures, and projection surfaces. The aesthetic experience oscillates between quiet contemplation, vividly intense imagination, and provoking ambivalence. Familiar forms tip into dream worlds, while animal bodies raise questions about instinct, civilization, and human responsibility.
Seven artistic positions, seven visual languages
Zhao Bin from Changsha uses the panda bear as an alter ego, giving the animal a personal, cultural, and societal dimension. The animal worlds of painter Zhenya Li from Shanghai unfold a calm, almost meditative exhibition atmosphere. Barbara Muhr’s triptych The Law of the Jungle sets a powerful accent and immerses visitors in a tension-filled visual world.
Wolfgang Domröse combines fish, turtles, reptiles, and mythical creatures into idiosyncratic compositions between nature observation and myth. Katharina Claudia Dobner investigates the symbiosis of animals and humans. Ursula Bolck-Jopp captures wild cats in a state of suspension between comfort and discomfort. Lisa Beane from Richmond in the USA encodes societal critique in her painting between hope and disillusion.
Painting as cultural education and self-inquiry
The curation by Dr. Antonia Kienberger opens a dialogue between different cultural backgrounds, techniques, and perspectives. The exhibition conveys art historical contexts without limiting the works to a single interpretation. This very openness intensifies the art experience: each examination of a work leads from visible form to questions of memory, power, vulnerability, and empathy.
Opening hours and visitor experience
On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Schaulager Erdel will be open from 11 AM to 3 PM. The exhibition runs from September 26 to November 7, 2026, and is accessible from Wednesday to Saturday. Entrance is free. It is recommended to allow time for a quiet walk, as the contrasting positions particularly unfold their impact in direct comparison.
Conclusion: An exhibition that changes the perspective on animals
Anima / Animal combines contemporary painting, art historical symbolism, and societal reflection into an exhibition of great visual and emotional density. Visitors can expect an art experience between beauty, irritation, and insight. Those who wish to reconsider the relationship between humans and animals and experience an aesthetic encounter with lasting impact should definitely visit this exhibition in person.
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- Website: https://www.erdel.de/index.php/laufende-ausstellung-und-ausstellungsliste?limit=10&start=0
