Oldtown of Bonn – Maxstraße – Art meets Biodiversity

"Focusing" - Mural in oldtown of Bonn

In July 2024, the two artists Jack Lack and Semor created a large-format façade mural at Maxstraße 58 in Bonn. The basic concept of the mural was developed in a previous workshop in which artists and scientists from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) took part. The detailed design shows a robin approaching a flower meadow. From a distance, it looks as if it is about to settle on the roof of the front building. Only when you approach the wall does the silhouette of a second bird become visible, inviting viewers to interpret it freely.

The gradual unveiling of the image depending on the viewer’s position makes it clear – in keeping with the title “Focusing” chosen for the mural – that great attention and a close look are required to perceive the beauty and diversity of nature in all its dimensions.

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 Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (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, based in Bonn, continues the charitable legacy of the former HARIBO co-owner with the aim of promoting and sustainably supporting young people along the education chain in shaping the future. The purpose of the foundation is, among other things, to promote the fine arts and historical culture in the form of the care and preservation of art and cultural values and the promotion of the development of art and cultural values for the public.

The artists

Roman de Laporte (Jack Lack)

Stuttgart-born artist Jack Lack has already created a number of large murals around the world. For him, one of the most interesting aspects of street art is the inclusion of the surroundings of the walls, so that his work depends on the location and its atmosphere.

“I am motivated by the goal of creating an integrative art form and using aesthetics and technology to find an approach to people that makes it possible to tell a painted story.”

Kai Niederhausen (Semor)

Kai “Semor” lives and works in Cologne. He is self-taught and always curious to expand his artistic work. His roots lie in classic style writing (graffiti), but he is very influenced by abstract painting and increasingly works on canvas.

“The world and nature are changing and unfortunately we lose sight of the little things. We don't think they're important, but it's these little things, the many different creatures and their interactions, that we should focus on.”

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.”