This winter, the NGV International becomes a vibrant playground of environmental discovery with Plans for the Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids, a free exhibition opening 6 June.
Swiss artist Olaf Breuning invites young visitors and families to explore nature through interactive art, blending playful installations with meaningful conversations about sustainability.
Born in Switzerland in 1970, Breuning is a globally exhibited artist working across sculpture, photography, and video. His work has been shown at the Palais de Tokyo, MoMA, and the Centre Pompidou, and was featured in the NGV Triennial in 2017. Now based in New York, he continues to blend humor and profundity in his art.
Designed to spark curiosity and hope, the exhibition draws from Breuning’s paintings, sculptures, and photographs to create an immersive world where children engage with themes of conservation, pollution, and wildlife.
At its heart is a giant tree installation in the Nature and Us room, surrounded by murals of Breuning’s whimsical drawings. Kids can sit beneath the tree and sketch homes for forest animals, while touch screens allow them to share their ideas for the planet’s future—displayed as part of the exhibition.
A specially designed swipe card activates animations as children journey through scenography inspired by forests and lava fields. In the Just a Person space, an interactive photobooth lets kids capture self-portraits and decorate them with virtual objects that reflect their personalities.
The adventure continues with My Nature Book with Olaf Breuning, a kid’s publication that encourages young readers to scurry like bugs or sing like birds. On 6 and 7 June, professional storyteller Anna Manuel will bring the book to life in free sessions.
Breuning’s exhibition arrives at a crucial time. “Today, children are exposed to discussions about global warming, sea level rise, and animal extinction,” he says. “I hope my art can inspire them to join this conversation in a playful way. Kids are the future—they’ll make the plans for the planet.”
Generously gifted to the NGV Collection by Breuning, Plans for the Planet will delight young visitors for generations.
Plans for the Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids will be on display at NGV International from 6 June – 5 October 2025. Free entry. Further information is available via the NGV website.
