Hamburg – english – Art meets Biodiversity

"Magistra" - Mural in Hamburg

From 27 August to 6 September 2025, Anna Taut and Pascal Flühmann (KKade) created a large-format façade painting at Eimsbütteler Chaussee 79-81 in Hamburg. The basic concept for the mural was developed in a previous workshop attended by artists and scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis.

With the theme ‘NATURA EST ARTIS MAGISTRA’ (‘Nature is the teacher of art’), two native birds – fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) – are depicted in a decorative floral frame. The motif is intended to remind us that nature often serves as a model for art and that artistic or technical achievements are often inspired by natural principles.

Project initiator:

InUrFaCE e. V.

InUrFaCE e.V. is a non-profit association based in Cologne that draws on an international network of scientists from biodiversity research and street artists. The association organizes projects in which interdisciplinary cooperation results in large-scale painted facades in public spaces. The aim is to increase the appreciation of biodiversity in society through art and to create the basis for a more conscious use of nature’s resources.

Project partner:

Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB)

The LIB is dedicated to researching biodiversity and its changes, the results of which are disseminated to the wider society in an educational manner. In order to better understand the current mass extinction of flora and fauna, researchers are looking for connections and causes of – often – man-made changes. The goal is to develop solutions for the preservation of ecosystems and species in order to maintain the basis of current life.

Project enabler:

Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation

The Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation continues the charitable legacy of the former HARIBO co-owner with the aim of supporting young people throughout their education and providing them with long-term guidance as they shape the future. With its WALLS OF VISION art project series, the foundation aims to make historical artworks accessible to a wide audience free of charge and to inspire people of all ages to take an interest in the visual arts.

Projekt-Ermöglicher:

Union Investment

Between 50 and 60 % of global economic output depends on functioning ecosystems and their natural services, which highlights the high economic relevance of this issue. As part of the Cooperative Financial Network, Union Investment is one of Germany’s leading fund management companies. ‘As an active asset manager, we want to help shape the transition to a more sustainable economy.’

The artists

Anna Taut

The artist Anna Taut was born in Warsaw, Poland, and lives and works in Berlin. She completed her master’s degree in painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk and her doctoral studies in the same subject at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 2021. Anna Taut works with various media such as drawing, painting on canvas and mural painting. In her art, she explores the theme of human existence, her emotions and feelings in relation to the surrounding world.

,,Nature plays a very important role in my art. It is not only my main inspiration in terms of shapes and colours, but also very often an individual existence, which, like the human being, is one of the parties in the conflict of the image. I am delighted to have the opportunity to express my concerns about the loss of biodiversity.”

Pascal Flühmann (KKade)

KKade has been working as an independent graphic designer and artist since 2011. Detailed, sensitive and meticulously crafted typographic illustrations form the basis of his core competencies. His style requires a generous dose of patience, perseverance and precise craftsmanship. His typographic works are influenced by traditional Swiss graphic design, elements of Art Deco and Victorian art. Influences from his graffiti roots and West Coast tattoo culture also flow into his work.

"I strive to bring my art into the public sphere and to continuously develop my style . Every new experience, every project, every journey and every encounter enriches my work with fresh inspiration and influences. My goal is to leave my distinctive mark on the world of typography and make a significant contribution to the cultural landscape.“

The scientists

Dr. Ralph S. Peters

Dr. Ralph S. Peters is a biodiversity researcher at the Museum Koenig Bonn and studies the diversity and evolution of insects. For more than 20 years, he has been particularly interested in researching parasitoid wasps.

“The diversity of life on earth is the most wonderful and crazy thing there is. It makes perfect sense to me to deal with it. Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems of our time - the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of habitats - is becoming more and more pressing. It is a moral, scientific and political imperative to know, understand and protect biodiversity. I want to do my part as best I can.”

Dr. Katharina Schmidt-Loske

Dr. Katharina Schmidt-Loske works as the scientific director of the Biohistoricum, the research archive on the history of biology, at the Museum Koenig Bonn. She analyzes and catalogues the estates of important natural scientists and has a special affinity for linking the history of biology and zoological illustration.

“I want to encourage people who follow their talent and go their own way, and I look forward to the creativity and dialog with the artists.”

The workshop

The basic concept for the mural was developed in a two-day workshop at Museum Koenig in Bonn at the end of April 2024. The artists were inspired by guided tours behind the scenes of the museum, including insights into the natural history collections. Full of impressions and together with the scientists, they discussed initial ideas for sketches. Inspired by the unusual collaboration, the participants came to the conclusion that “perhaps we are all similar nerds”.

The workshop organizers

Dr. Carola Greve (second from left), co-founder of the InUrFaCE e.V. association, works as a laboratory manager at the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics at the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt.

“The workshop showed that it is above all the passion and commitment to their work that connects artists and scientists. I very much hope that we can reach many people with our idea to make them aware of the beauty of nature and encourage them to treat it with more care and respect.”

Dr. France Gimnich (left), also co-founder of InUrFaCE e.V., works as collection manager of the LIB Biobank in Bonn.

“Few people are aware of how dramatically species extinction is currently progressing and how much our own quality of life depends on an intact natural environment. With our project, we want to create a positive relationship with nature, increase its value in society and draw attention to the fact that our daily personal decisions have an impact on the preservation or loss of biodiversity.”