For the Birds
4.7.–9.11.25
Birds exert a strong attraction on people. They embody freedom, transcendence, speed and power. The kings of the skies were revered by many cultures as heavenly messengers. There has always been religious, economic, political or scientific interest in the world of birds.
They provide us with deeper insights into our world. Birds connect habitats and accompany biological processes. They contribute to the ecosystem and their mere presence in public spaces promotes human well-being.
Based on artistic positions and works from the collections of the Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen, “For the Birds” examines the significance of birds in various contexts. “For the Birds” is an exhibition for seeing and hearing. Incorporating a wide variety of media, the works on display link ecological, philosophical, social and political issues. The exhibition is dedicated to the cultural relevance of birds in contemporary artistic narrative spaces.
With contributions by Heba Y. Amin, Yuri Ancarani, Anna Boghiguian, David Claerbout, Chto Delat International, Dominik Eulberg, FORT, Petrit Halilaj & Álvaro Urbano, Anna Jermolaewa, Annika Kahrs, Katia Kameli, Maria Lassnig, Jochen Lempert, Peter Piller, Marianna Simnett, Katja Novitskova, Prateek Vijan and James Webb.
Parts of the exhibition will be shown at the Museum Sinclair-Haus (Bad Homburg) from March 2026.
Curator: Thomas Thiel
Assistant curator: Jessica Schiefer
The exhibition is supported by the Kunststiftung NRW (Arts Foundation of North Rhine-Westphalia), the Peter Paul Rubens-Stiftung and the Circle of Friends of the MGKSiegen.
Press Conference
THU. 3.7. 12 am
For the Birds
With artists of the exhibition, director and curator Thomas Thiel and assistant curator Jessica Schiefer
Opening
FRI. 4.7. 7 pm
For the Birds
Speakers will be
Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Sternberg, president of Kunststiftung NRW
Thomas Thiel, director and curator, MGKSiegen
FRI. 4.7. 8 pm
Performance
She-Pigeon by Selin Davasse
Program
Symposium
SAT. 5.7. 11 am–3 pm
For the Birds
11 am “A short flight through art history. A bird's eye view of art”
Lecture by Jessica Ullrich, Deputy Professor of Art History and Aesthetics, Münster Art Academy
12 am Artist talk with Jochen Lempert
Lunch break
2 pm “On life in the air”
Lecture by Cord Riechelmann, biologist and publicist
3 pm Artist talk with Chto Delat International
In German and English spoken language
Event
SUN. 6.7. 8 am–10 am
Bird tour in the Tiergarten
With professor Klaudia Witte, Department Biology, University of Siegen,
and Chairwoman of NABU Siegen-Wittgenstein
In cooperation with NABU SIWI
Meeting point at barbecue hut at the Siegen-Weidenau zoo
Free August
THU. 7.8./14.8./21.8./28.8. 11 am–6 pm
Free entrance every Thursday in august
6 pm Free guided tours by the employees of MGKSiegen
In German spoken language
THU. 9.10. 7 pm–10 pm
On Birds Music
A transdisciplinary evening by Dominik Eulberg
with a lecture on birds and ambient music
Guided tours
THU. 24.7. 6 pm
For the Birds
Exhibition tour with mit curator Jessica Schiefer
In German spoken language
SUN. 9.11. 4 pm
For the Birds
Exhibition tour with director and curator Thomas Thiel
In German spoken language
TUE. 29.7./9.9. 5 pm
For the Birds
Guided tour in English spoken language, 45 min.
WED. 13.8./15.10. 5 pm
For the Birds
Exhibition tour in plain language
With Nicole Kreckel, Head of Education
In German spoken language
Public exhibition tours every Thursday at 12.30 pm and every Sunday at 4 pm.
Individual special tours for groups and individuals can be booked by phone (T +49 271 40577 10) or email (info@mgksiegen.de).
You can find more public tours and events for kids, teens and adults accompanying the exhibition at https://www.mgksiegen.de/en/kalender/.
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