A colorful glimpse into the microscopic world
Their rainbow of colors will offer a glimpse of what lies behind the plain white walls of the new Imaging Innovation Center (IIC), the Max Delbrück Center’s new research building on the Berlin-Buch campus. Soon, five hand-painted glass steles — created by Julia Lohmann and inspired by the microscopic world — will stand in the plaza outside the main entrance.
Lohmann, a German artist and professor of Contemporary Design Practices at Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland, won the Art in Architecture competition organized by the Max Delbrück Center in June 2026. The initiative aimed to combine contemporary art with modern research architecture. She was awarded €110,000 to bring her installation “Innenall” to life. Seven other artists also submitted proposals.
Making microscopy tangible
The jury, chaired by Ulrike Kremeier, Director of the Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art, selected Innenall for its “deeply personal and artistic signature.” The arrangement of the individual elements also creates different visual layers that “convey the methods of microscopy and make them tangible” to the viewer, the jury stated.
The jury recognized three additional submissions by the Berlin-based artist duo Banz von Rosen, Vienna-based artist Toni Schmale and Berlin-based artist Mariechen Danz. Each entry will receive €1,250 in prize money.
All eight entries will be displayed in the foyer of the Max Delbrück Communications Center (MDC.C) from November 3 to 16, 2026. There will be an official opening on November 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. All participants in the initiative and Max Delbrück Center employees are invited to attend.
A window into the microscopic world
Lohmann’s five glass steles stand 2.5 meters tall. Each consists of two laminated glass panels. She painted the inner surfaces of the panels using a variety of techniques and a combination of opaque and translucent glass paints. The colors are permanently fused into the glass and cast colorful shadows on the ground.
The five sculptures will stand a short distance apart, positioned at sharp angles to one another. Transparent sections in each stele will offer a view of the next. “They are designed to act like open windows, offering glimpses into the work of the IIC,” Lohmann explains. “Viewers are invited to become part of the microcosm themselves by stepping between the steles and looking through them.” By keeping her imagery abstract, the artist hopes to encourage visitors to make their own discoveries, ask questions and find room for interpretation.
Lohmann drew inspiration from conversations with IIC scientists, who discussed their projects with her and what motivates them. The researchers praised the installation for creating an emotional connection to their work.
In the new IIC, teams from the imaging technology platforms will work alongside research groups to advance microscopy technologies. They will combine the latest microscopy techniques with data science and artificial intelligence.
Opening
When: 02.11.2026, 5.30 p.m.
Where: MDC.C, Foyer
Robert-Rössle-Straße 10
13125 Berlin
The exhibition will be open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 3 to 16, 2026.
Further information
Image for download
Innenall
© Julia Lohmann Studio, heinlewischer Partnerschaft freier Architekten mbB
Contact
Anke Brodmerkel
Editor, Communications & Marketing
Max Delbrück Center
+49 1522 175 77 95
anke.brodmerkel@mdc-berlin.de or presse@mdc-berlin.de
