Dead as a Dodo? at the Natural History Museum Bamberg: Art Meets Species Extinction

When Painting Becomes a Rescue Mission: Dead as a Dodo? at the Natural History Museum Bamberg

The special exhibition Dead as a Dodo? Rescue for the Bird Population! will open on September 4, 2026, at the Natural History Museum Bamberg and combines contemporary painting with the historical natural history of the institution. The focus is on thirteen large-format paintings by Thomas Michel, which depict endangered and extinct bird species and make the observation itself part of the art experience. Only through color inversion on a smartphone do the images fully reveal themselves. ([naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de](https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/demnaechst-dead-as-a-dodo/?utm_source=openai))

The Bird Hall as a Resonance Chamber

The exhibition engages in direct dialogue with the historical Bamberg Bird Hall, one of the oldest and most beautiful natural history halls in the world. Its specimens, display cases, and museum imagery form the starting point for Michel's works, which transform the past and present into a vibrant exhibition atmosphere. This creates a contemplation of artworks that looks not only at painting but also at the museum as a space of knowledge. ([naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de](https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/?utm_source=openai))

Dodo, Biodiversity, and the Question of the Image of Nature

The Dodo appears here as a powerful symbol of human-induced species extinction. The exhibition addresses biodiversity loss, media perception, and the role of technical images in our relationship with nature. Particularly striking is the scientifically accurate reconstruction of the Dodo, which serves as a central object connecting artistic narrative with natural history precision. This unfolds an aesthetic experience that brings together education, emotion, and ecological urgency. ([naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de](https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/demnaechst-dead-as-a-dodo/?utm_source=openai))

Interactive Communication for a Broad Audience

The exhibition is deliberately designed to be contemporary: smartphones become the key to deciphering the inverted paintings. This aligns with the museum's educational approach, which offers thematic tours and a smartphone app to vividly present the Bird Hall and its collections. Thus, the exhibition becomes an engaging art experience for families, school classes, and those interested in natural science and art history. ([naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de](https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion

Dead as a Dodo? Rescue for the Bird Population! is more than an exhibition about birds. It is a cleverly staged dialogue between painting, natural history, and contemporary art, between collection space and future questions. Those visiting Bamberg will experience an exhibition that resonates long after and sharpens the view of nature, museums, and imagery radically. A visit on-site is definitely worth it. ([naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de](https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/demnaechst-dead-as-a-dodo/?utm_source=openai))

Official Channels of the Natural History Museum Bamberg:

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• Website: https://www.naturkundemuseum-bamberg.de/

Sources:

• Natural History Museum Bamberg - Coming Soon: Dead as a Dodo? Rescue for the Bird Population!
• Natural History Museum Bamberg - Homepage
• Natural History Museum Bamberg - Opening Hours & Tickets
• Natural History Museum Bamberg - Directions & Contact
• Natural History Museum Bamberg - Smartphone App ExpoNat
• Culture.Bamberg - Special Exhibition: Dead as a Dodo? Rescue for the Bird Population!
• Bamberg Tourism - Exhibition Dead as a Dodo?