Art and Exhibition Hall

• Press Releases
• Photos of the Hall
• Logos of the Hall
• Admission Form



	PRESS RELEASES

James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific
28 August 2009 – 28 February 2010
Press conference: 08/27/2009, 11 a.m.

The exhibition is a cooperation between the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, the Institute of Cultural and Social Anthropology of Göttingen University, the Kunsthistorisches Museum – Museum of Ethnology, Vienna (10 May to 13 September 2010), and the Historisches Museum, Bern (7 October 2010 to 13 February 2011)

The British explorer, navigator and cartographer James Cook (1728–1779) achieved world fame for leading three expeditions into the vast and uncharted waters of the Pacific Ocean. He was the first to survey and map New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific islands, completing our modern image of the world and finally defeating the idea of a mythical southern continent.
The exhibition includes around 500 original exhibits presenting the voyages of James Cook and the international team of scientists and artists accompanying him. Their work during the European enlightenment period contributed new insights to a host of disciplines from navigation and astronomy to natural history, philosophy and art. It even led to the birth of a new science: the field of ethnology and ethnography.
As early as the end of the 18th century many of the ethnographic and natural history objects from diverse Pacific cultures, which were collected during the three Cook voyages, were spread into various collections all over Europe. Now, for the first time, they are being reunited for this exhibition in Bonn. Many of the objects are of incalculable value to art historians since such exquisite feather ornaments, wooden sculptures and other Oceanic artefacts can no longer be found in the Pacific region.
The ethnographic exhibits are supplemented by magnificent paintings and drawings by the artists accompanying Cook on his voyages. Their works offer a fascinating insight into the explorers' euphoric yet curious view of the exotic South Sea landscapes. Ship models, sea charts and navigation instruments also provide a vivid introduction to the world of James Cook's voyages.

Press releases