Jena, 16.07.2026 – This year’s sculpture exhibition by the Jenaer Kunstverein was ceremoniously opened today, Thursday, in the Botanischer Garten Jena. Under the title “gewachsen und gegossen” (grown and cast), the renowned sculptor Beate Debus, who lives in the Rhön region, presents her works in the heart of the ‘Lichtstadt’.
- Exhibition: “gewachsen und gegossen” by Beate Debus
- Duration: 16.07. to 22.10.2026
- Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Botanischer Garten Jena, Fürstengraben 26, 07743 Jena
- Organizer: Jenaer Kunstverein e.V.
Artistic symbiosis in the green heart of the city
The large-format sculptures by Beate Debus blend into a harmonious symbiosis with the botanical diversity of the garden. The artist is considered one of the most influential sculptural voices in Thuringia. Her figures, which are arranged both individually and in groups throughout the grounds, interact directly with the lovingly maintained vegetation. The dance-like, partly intertwined and partly diverging forms of the works reflect the organic lines of the surrounding trees and flowerbeds. Through gesture and rhythm, Debus succeeds in making deep emotional and interpersonal states visible amidst the living nature.
From natural tree trunk to precise bronze casting
The title of the exhibition refers directly to the complex creation process of the works. Beate Debus uses naturally grown tree trunks as the starting material. From these organic raw materials, she carves and shapes her sculptures, which are subsequently cast in bronze using an elaborate artisanal process. In this way, the original vitality and grain of the wood are combined with the durability and cool aesthetics of the metal.
The exhibition enriches Jena’s cultural life in summer and autumn with another facet. Art lovers can currently experience various approaches to modern sculpture in the city area – for example, the steel art by Cornelia Weihe in the Frommannscher Garten also invites visitors to a worthwhile visit.
🎭 Culture & City Life: Art in the Botanical Garden
The Botanischer Garten Jena, operated by the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, is the second oldest botanical garden in Germany after Leipzig. It looks back on a rich history in which Johann Wolfgang von Goethe already participated in its design as a supervisor. The cooperation with the Jenaer Kunstverein has a tradition: every year, the historic facility is transformed into a green exhibition space that makes contemporary sculpture accessible to a wide audience in public space.
Source:
Skulpturen im Botanischen Garten: Beate Debus – gewachsen und gegossen
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.