Fantasy worlds with sculpting mortar

Uwe Thürnau in his studio in Berlin.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

Karlsruhe Zoo: Outer façade of the snow leopard enclosure.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

The new book ‘Animal Backdrops for Zoos, Museums and Exhibitions’ showcases the work of the artist.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

Uwe Thürnau in his studio in Berlin.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

Karlsruhe Zoo: Outer façade of the snow leopard enclosure.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

The new book ‘Animal Backdrops for Zoos, Museums and Exhibitions’ showcases the work of the artist.
© Eva Kaltenbach © Archiv Fam. Thürnau

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Uwe Thürnau’s fantasy environments are known worldwide. With his detailed sculptures, he creates unique worlds for lions, monkeys, penguins and more. In 2018, for example, he designed the rock sceneries in the ‘Polarium’ (showcasing polar bears, penguins etc.) at Rostock Zoo, and in 2021 those that can now be seen in the big cat house at Berlin Zoo. His new book ‘Tierkulissen für Zoos, Museen und Ausstellungen’ (Engl.: Animal Backdrops for Zoos, Museums and Exhibitions, DOM Publisher, edited by Natascha Meuser) offers numerous wonderful images and descriptions of his impressive work. Extensively illustrated are the various aspects of designing realistic and aesthetically pleasing animal enclos-
ures that both fulfil the occupants’ needs and fascinate visitors. “A book like this had long been my dream,” says the Berlin artist, who had previously never found the time to write it. “So when publishers DOM approached me with Natascha Meuser’s idea for the work, I was delighted.” Thürnau has collected extensive photographic material for the book and reports on his work in engaging detail. The book comprises 232 pages with 430 illustrations and is now available (in German only) in bookshops and online.

Artistic environments with MC-RockMortar

For his fantasy worlds, Thürnau uses sculpting mortar of the MC-RockMortar product family from MC-Bauchemie. It can be used to authentically recreate rocks, walls, trees, exotic buildings, temples and artistic sculptures. There are no limits to the level of creativity possible with this medium. “Back then, we were looking for someone who could supply us with a mortar that was easy to work with and could be modelled well,” says Thürnau, explaining the beginnings of the collaboration with MC, which has now lasted for over 30 years.

Easy application — authentic look

The MC-RockMortar line comprises three microsilica-modified sculpting mortars that can be easily applied by hand or by wet-spraying and are well suited to delicate and intrinsic detailing. They also impress with their resistance to high temperatures, freeze/thaw cycling and de-icing salts coupled with an authentic-looking ageing process, which gives Thürnau’s artificial animal worlds a timeless and realistic appearance.