In December 2016 a submission was made for the art-for-architecture competition for the building of the European Patent Office in Berlin. The proposal entitled “Erfinden heißt Verbinden” (“Inventing Means Connecting”) was made for the lobby, one of the two locations advertised for the competition. The concept envisages a multi-part mural that accompanies visitors, as it is built up progressively across several spaces.
of the first wall
16-30-001
of the second wall
16-30-002
of the second wall,
excerpt
16-30-003
of the third wall
16-30-004
of the third wall,
excerpt
16-30-005
in perspective
16-30-006
of the fourth wall
16-30-007
of the fourth wall,
excerpt
16-30-008
in perspective
16-30-009
Thoughts combine to form an idea. This process is represented by a sequence of murals. Parts combine to form a whole. Yet the whole is not a thing. Not a concrete entity. It is rather an abstraction. An invention – a patent – can be a design, a recipe or a method. In each case it is a principle. As such the patent is represented in the mural, as a combination of decisions, features and relationships, as an ordered complex. A complex from which an effect emanates. A complex that radiates energy.
The sequence of murals unfolds according to a consciously staged narrative. It starts with the first incomplete thoughts and ends with the idea, which is close to its completion and already visibly hints at this completion. The sequence begins on the wall on the left next to the niche* – as an introduction and announcement of a sequence. The series continues within the niche – as confirmation at first glance that something continues here. The process develops a pull in corridor 1 on wall 1. The constant tilt of the image elements is always directed forwards. Finally the sequence of images comes to its climax and conclusion in the reception room on wall 6, where it can be seen by people arriving from corridor 1, and here already imparts meaning to the previous motifs. The entire image concept rests on a formal logic and equally on a colour logic. As a result, on the one hand, the successive is suggested and coherence is reinforced; on the other hand, in this way the character of the holistic idea – of the patent – is realised.