With the exhibition beastly beautiful? the German Leather Museum turns its attention to the ambiguous aesthetics of its exhibits made of leather, similar and alternative materials, taking a critical look at its own collection.

What animal products were and continue to be used by humans and to what purpose? What role does the division of species into farm and domestic animals play, or the cultural meaning ascribed to animals? How do these influence fashion? And what should we understand by species conservation and veganism?

More than 50 objects shed light on the ambivalent relationship between man and animals, touching on the way animals are treated, their utilization and their appropriation by human beings, but also on animals as a source of inspiration for designers. The German Leather Museum invites visitors to embark on a tour of the exhibition galleries beginning in the studio room, and to then reconsider the exhibited objects in light of the issues raised. The display of the collection is enriched with contemporary artistic positions by Fernando and Humberto Campana, Heide Hatry, Christian Jankowski, Eva Ruhland and Marcel Walldorf, which engage thematically with the objects. 

The exhibition beastly beautiful? is part of the joint project Artentreffen by institutions along the route of LRT Line S8, with the Kunst- und Kulturstiftung Opelvillen Rüsselsheim and Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden. Artentreffen is sponsored by Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.

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