Climate change and monocultures have left forests vulnerable to insects and fungi. Beetle-infested wood is deemed less valuable from a traditional human-centric perspective. Symbiotic Wood focuses on this ›more-than-human‹ material that is co-owned with other species. Visitors are invited to explore how this material that differs from conventional expectations might spark new design opportunities. The interdisciplinary group show, with contributions by artists, designers, architects, and cultural historians, is complemented by a series of public events.

The first part of the exhibition introduces the fundamental scientific facts on beetle infestation and co-related fungal invasion of spruce forests both locally in Germany and across the globe. The second part centers on the cultural discourse of Symbiotic Wood in which beetles, fungi and environmental factors such as dryness are co-creators. Design objects and artistic pieces are integrated with reflections on the cultural history and theory of beetle infestation. The exhibition continues in the inner courtyard of the museum, where an architectural structure explores the topic of harvesting, storing and revaluing beetle-infested wood. The open-air installation demonstrates how wood traditionally rejected by industry can be repurposed, challenging our notions of value. 

Contributors
Pelin Asa | Karola Dierichs | Judith Dobler | Tarik Goetzke | Başak Günak | Florent Jouy | Nuri Kang | Rahel Kesselring | Karin Krauthausen | Anna Kubelík | Julia Rhein | Siegfried Saerberg | Robert Stock | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity) | Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Department of Biomaterials) | Technische Universität Berlin (Robot-Assisted Manufacturing of the Built Environment, Structural Design and Construction) | Weißensee School of Art and Design Berlin (Material and Code)

Credits
"Symbiotic Wood" is the 4th and final chapter of the More than Human exhibition series of Kunstgewerbemuseum and has been developed in collaboration with the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity« at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin as part of the ＿matter Festival 2025.

Accompanying Program
4 July 2025, 10 am–5 pm, Symposium "Symbiotic Futures 2.0" (in English)
Hosted by Karola Dierichs and Robert Stock
With contributions by Siegfried Saerberg (Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit & Diakonie), Lisa Cronjäger (Universität Lausanne) and Peter Fratzl (MoA/MPIKG)

The "Symbiotic Futures 2.0" symposium features interactive public workshops and lectures bringing together experts and enthusiasts to exchange knowledge and ideas.

More information about the program and the registration by July 1st please see here.

18 July 2025, 3–5 pm, Roundtable "Wood Kinship" (in German)
Organized by Judith M. Dobler
With contributions by Ferréol Berendt (HNE Eberswalde), Gudrun Kubelík (Forrest Owner, Feldbuch) and Anna-Sophia Springer (Cultural Historian and Publisher, Berlin/Braunschweig)
Moderators: Judith Marlen Dobler and Anna Kubelík

The "Wood Kinship" roundtable offers a more intimate view of the growing and harvesting of wood and its related products, such as resins. At this event, experts from the wood production chain will share their knowledge and perspectives in an open discussion format.

22 August 2025, 1-2:30 pm, Guided Tour with Karola Dierichs and Jessica Farmer
Registration via https://www.smb.museum/

20 & 21 September 2025, 11 am-6 pm, Closing Event 
The unique closing event invites participants to help disassemble the architectural installation in the main courtyard and to take home pieces of this structure, transforming the exhibition itself into a distributed symbiotic network.

More information
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/16077/symbiotic-wood
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/symbiotic-wood/
https://www.more-than-human.eu