Bring AVL’s Trojan Ape to the World Economic Forum 2026

Maybe you love Atelier Van Lieshout for its push back against political correctness. Perhaps you’ve had enough of all this responsible stuff. And Atelier Van Lieshout does things you can’t do yourself without being reprimanded: bluntly flaming, smashing, and crushing. We want to add fuel to the world that is on fire, while not burning down the entire building.  

But deep down, Atelier Van Lieshout does care deeply about the cause. Particularly climate change, the state of our planet. We want to shed light on the truth, without pointing fingers. This will be visible through our latest project, Species Corner: A Speaker’s Corner for Nature, which will take place during the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, the annual gathering of world leaders. Be warned: we are preparing to perform in the Lion’s Den!

Species Corner is a monumental art-science installation and public forum in the shape of a rock with a giant ape on top (Monkey Rock), placed on the Arkadenplatz, designed in collaboration with non-profit organization Climate Basecamp. We are proud to partner with GreenUp, for their Climate Hub Davos 2026, to co-create climate and nature solutions in Davos. For one week, it will become a gathering place for artists, scientists, young activists, business innovators, and decision-makers—all speaking openly about how to restore balance between people and planet. In collaboration with Yannik Guldner, we are showing video works by different artists, addressing pressing climate issues. 

Monkey Rock is the “Trojan Ape” in the lion’s den. We are a counter movement against the ‘puppet masters of the world’. At the World Economic Forum we will vouch for marginalised voices, the climate, and social justice, by blending art and science, to open hearts and minds.