An exhibition where sky meets land

15 million migratory birds annually take flight to The Wadden Sea for provisions before embarking on the journey from North and South. The exhibition ‘The Wadden Sea Migratory Birds’ brings visitors into the world of Wadden Sea and showcases the unique area to allow for a better understanding of one of the world’s most important natural areas. In a very beautiful staging, the audience follows the course of these migratory birds, following them through large swarms into the sky and out on their long journey across continents.

Classical craftsmanship and new technology

One of the exhibition’s key elements is to combine classic craftsmanship with innovative and new technology to create a completely distinct universe. The design invites the audience to engage all their senses through an emphasis on tactility and interactivity. The spaces are formed to have clarity and sensitivity, working with an uncluttered approach that encourages space to think, contemplate and reflect.

Users from all age groups are catered for with an emphasis on layered storytelling. Results have found that visitors keep returning to the exhibition and the design acts as a stopping point along the wider journey into the unique nature of the area. The exhibition has developed its form through inspiration from the surrounding countryside and also acts as a stopping point within the wider journey of this unique area of nature.

More than 60 people involved in creating content for the exhibition. Content includes original watercolours by renowned bird illustrator Carl Christian Tofte, hand-carving of bird species, hand-cast bronze models, animations, games and interactivity. The exhibition’s final room has an installation by Jason Bruges Studio “The Digital Ornithology” where a swarm of 562 LCD screens stretch up towards the sky.

“The purpose of the exhibition is to open our eyes to the enormous natural wealth of the area and the hub of life that the Wadden Sea holds. The exhibition is a total experience where scenography, arts, crafts and film must touch and excite us to move outside, out into the countryside to meet migratory birds,” says Johan Carlsson.