Soon, visitors will be able to admire the artwork Evolution of the Proboscideans on their way to the new Giraffe Trail. The remarkable mosaic is made up of more than 500,000 stones and depicts the ancestors of the modern-day elephant. The video shows the complex process behind this “mammoth” restoration project – from its very beginnings to today.
Berlin-based artist Ortraud Lerch produced the artwork for the opening of the Pachyderm House back in 1989. When the decision was made last summer to completely redesign the building, the mosaic was carefully removed piece by piece to ensure this piece of cultural heritage can remain on public display. Over the winter, a team of mosaic restorers led by Joana Pomm carefully prepared the blocks of mosaic. The individual pieces have now all been placed back together and the final touches are being put to the artwork.
The mosaic’s elaborate restoration is being financed by the joint federal/Land Scheme for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW). Planning for the Elephant House redesign was generously supported by the foundation Stiftung Hauptstadtzoos. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks!
