The world’s climate is changing dramatically and in some areas this has disastrous consequences for people and the natural environment. Politicians such as Donald Trump fuel doubts about the scientific consensus which considers human beings to be a contributing cause of climate change. The Paris climate agreement, which was very hard fought for, is at a delicate point of near collapse. The “weather” could hardly be a more explosive and pressing topic. Therefore, on the occasion of the World Climate Conference held in Bonn, the Bundeskunsthalle stages an extensive exhibition that attempts to link art, weather, culture and climate research, and to bring them into contact with each other.

Weather is what we experience day to day, whereas climatic conditions are only revealed by analysing decades of meteorological data. Therefore, we are always confronted with the big picture and the little drizzle, with the local storm and global warming at the same time. How do climate and culture influence each other? What do we actually know about the weather? Since when do we know it? And how did artists deal with the respective discoveries?

The elaborate catalogue provides critical essays, interviews, explanatory as well as anecdotal texts, additional visual material and plenty of background information to complement the exhibits on show.