Monkeys in culture - How primates shape our cultural heritage

"You monkey!" is a term I like to use often. It's what I call people who do something clumsy or foolish. "You monkey!" sounds kind of sweet and playful, but also a bit cheeky and old-fashioned at the same time. For me, it's probably a mixture between a friendly jibe, a teasing remark and a non-serious aff(!)ront. Whatever the meaning of the expression, it's clear that the monkey has a firm place in my everyday life. And I'm probably not the only one who is accompanied by monkeys on a daily basis, as the monkey has been part of our culture since time immemorial. To mark International Monkey Day, I'm going on an excursion to explore the importance of the monkey in culture. So don't be a monkey and let's jet off into the jungle of culture.

Connick's masterful painting transports us to an era of opulent still lifes, where flowers and fruit adorn the canvas. The highlight of this work of art, however, is the surprising guest amidst the botanical splendour - a little monkey peering curiously into the scene. As if the flowers and fruit weren't exciting enough, the monkey adds a playful touch to the still life.In European art history, monkeys were often seen as exotic animals and depicted in paintings to convey the idea of distance, the unknown and the exotic. But even today, in the modern age of YouTube and Netflix, the painting manages to convey a sense of curiosity. It's hard to imagine how people reacted to it in the 17th century. It must have been quite the monkey business!

A leap through time takes us to "Café" by Urs Fischer, a modern collage from 2012. The complexity of this work is reflected in the 38 pieces that are combined to form an impressive screen print. In the midst of this creative chaos are two monkeys, as if they were the guardians of a surreal coffee klatch. In some modern artworks, monkeys can serve as a kind of mirror image of humanity. By depicting monkeys, Urs Fischer could be alluding to human behaviour, instincts or social issues, for example. The collage poses riddles and stimulates the imagination. Perhaps the monkeys are the true connoisseurs of this artistic café, exchanging stories or philosophising about the meaning of life and how time races away at a monkey's pace. Whatever it is, monkeys often add a humorous dimension to art and inspire us to look beyond the boundaries of habit.

This impressive masterpiece is from the 'Third Orchha-Rasikapriya Series' (1648), based on Keshavdas' collection of poems Rasikapriya. Here, the erotic love between Radha and Krishna is depicted in divine light. A small monkey attentively observes the scene (top left in the picture). The staging captures the delicate nuances of love between the divine figures and brings the poetry of Keshavdas to life. The monkey, as a silent witness, adds a subtle playfulness and perhaps makes viewers ponder whether animals in the world of the gods share similar emotions to humans. In some Hindu stories, monkeys are also depicted as playful and restless animals. This can, for example, metaphorically represent the monkey thoughts in the human mind - or rather, the wild monkey love between Radha and Krishna.

The Yaka, a Bantu ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are characterised by their animistic tradition, which includes the worship of ancestors, spirits and natural forces. Religious practices such as rituals and ceremonies are used to appease spirits and request protection. At the same time, the Yaka are known for their impressive artistry, especially in wood carving. Traditional masks and sculptures play a central role in ceremonies and festivals, and this magnificent mask from the Yaka region from the early 20th century stands out in particular with its skilfully carved monkey depiction on the forehead. This monkey symbolises a connection between humans and animals as well as the mediating role between the human world and the world of spirits. The Yaka's interaction with monkeys is extremely fascinating and impressive, and it differs significantly from our Western tradition. While in the West the phrase "making a monkey of yourself" is associated with stupidity, the Yaka take on the role of the monkey in order to establish a spiritual connection.

In the 18th century, the Kota master C created an impressive scene in the Rietberg Museum depicting a crucial episode from the Ramayana: the final battle between Rama and Ravana. The depiction shows armed monkeys running to attack with shields and swords. These scenes reflect the description of a monkey army that plays a central role in the Ramayana under the leadership of the monkey god Hanuman in the battle against the demon king Ravana. The monkeys in this army symbolise diversity, community and the collective ability to overcome challenges together. This scene serves not only as an impressive work of art, but also as a tribute to the heroic deeds of the monkeys, who excel in the service of good and in the fight against evil. The warriors are as determined as if they had been bitten by a wild ape and bravely throw themselves into the fray.

The focus here is not on the brushstrokes, but on the living heritage of the apes at the Zurich Zoological Museum. Stuffed proboscis monkeys, orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas are waiting to be marvelled at by curious visitors. These realistic specimens tell captivating stories of distant jungles, social groups and the impressive diversity of primates.

Picture 1 shows a fascinating duality of man through the depiction of a silly proboscis monkey and a graceful orangutan. The proboscis monkey with its silly expression can be used as a metaphor for the playful and light side of man. In contrast, the majestic orangutan with its grace and grandeur represents the calm and dignified side of the human character. This duality reflects the many facets of human nature, ranging from childlike light-heartedness to deep contemplation.

Picture 2 reveals human-like traits in a chimpanzee and a gorilla. The chimpanzee, our evolutionary relative, often bears human-like facial features and expressions. Its gaze seems to reflect intelligence and curiosity, which builds a bridge to human characteristics. However, the gorilla, as an imposing representative, also shows human traits in its facial expressions and posture. This impressive depiction emphasises the biological connection between humans and apes and encourages us to think about common characteristics and peculiarities. The gentle giant, the gorilla, thus becomes a fascinating ambassador for reflection on the connections between humans and animals in nature.