Explore the Alive Exhibition and Contemporary Art at Museum der Kulturen Basel

This exhibition explores the vital relationships between humans and their co-inhabitants of the earth, questioning a human-centered worldview in the face of the planetary crisis. Through 165 works from the museum's collection and contemporary art, it invites visitors to rethink nature as an interconnected, living collective.

The exhibition 'Alive: more than human worlds' presents a critical examination of how humanity perceives its relationship with the planet. It moves beyond seeing land, mountains, and forests merely as resources, arguing instead for a recognition of other beings as equal and alive. Through a careful selection of 165 objects from the Museum der Kulturen Basel collection, combined with contemporary art and various global voices, the exhibition challenges visitors to rethink the environmental and social impacts of modern, extractivist practices. Organized into thematic rooms, the display features diverse perspectives, including indigenous knowledge systems from Australia and South America, where nature and culture are understood as inseparable. From the spiritual significance of Mount Meru to the legal personhood granted to the Whanganui River, the exhibition illustrates how different societies integrate humans into webs of life. Additionally, a large collaborative tree sculpture, inspired by the work of activist Bruno Manser, invites visitors to engage directly with the concept of symbiotic living.

Information regarding admission and visiting can be found through the Museum der Kulturen Basel's general visitor information channels. An accompanying publication is available for purchase at the museum shop or in bookstores.