The pleasure people take in having animals dance or even play instruments will also be discussed, the classic instances of this being the dancing bear, the trumpeting elephant and the swansong. Another theme of the exhibition will be the use of animal parts to make musical instruments such as bone flutes, ivory keyboard keys and animal skin drums.

Rather less well known is the use of baleen in pianos. These days, alternative materials are becoming increasingly widespread, reflecting our growing awareness of animal welfare.

«animalistic!» is a co-production of the Museum der Kulturen Basel, the Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, the Pharmaziemuseum der Universität Basel and the Basel Historical Museum, whose joint tie-in publication will explore the relationship between animals and humans from different perspectives. 

The exhibition will be flanked by an extensive programme of events and can be experienced with the aid of an eGuide in German, English and French.