Skulpturen der Künstlerin Ulrike Mohr: Carvon

Arts & Science

Visual arts play an important role at our sites

Science and art make demands on each other - they help each other develop new perspectives and methods.

"The decisive factor is the realization that the available knowledge that the natural sciences are increasingly providing us with is no longer enough on its own," says Detlev Ganten, former MDC foundation director, at the opening of the sculpture park on campus.

Max Delbrück combined scientific and artistic thinking in his person in an exemplary way.
Detlev Ganten
Prof. Detlev Ganten September 14, 2000

Art can and must inspire and question scientific knowledge. For the elusive process in which knowledge of man and nature progresses relies on material-rational as well as emotional and vivid resources. "[Disposable knowledge] must be joined by a corresponding orienting knowledge, and this goal can only be achieved in an interdisciplinary conversation that includes efforts in the humanities and the arts," says Ganten.

The numerous artistic works on campus and in the research buildings are intended to stimulate this process. The cultural ambience on campus therefore not only has the aspect of aesthetic experience, but is entitled to serious consideration..

In essence, both science and the arts are about the same process: making the invisible visible and capturing the invisible reality with models and symbols.

Selected works

Various works by Jeanne Mammen

Several paintings were acquired from Jeanne Mammen.

"Lichtspur" by Hermann Bachmann (1990)

The painting "Lichtspur" (light track) by Hermann Bachmann (1922-1995) is located in the Otto Warburg Hall of the campus dining hall.

Lichtspur, 1990, Acryl auf Nessel

CROSSING OVER - A Metasystem of Genes & Arts von Karsten K. Panzer

The four works in the foyer of the Max Delbrück Communications Center (MDC.C) are from a joint exhibition of MDC and the International Conference on Structural Genomics (ICSG) in 2002.

White Tub

Artist Boris Hars-Tschachotin has reinterpreted and recreated the behavioral experiment "Morris Water Maze" on mice, which is used to research Alzheimer's disease, in a laboratory space staged by him. The work "White Tub - Swimming Maze" is a combination of a walk-in experience space and a video circular projection. It is located in the Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Haus and can be visited on request.

The video installation was conceived by Boris Hars-Tschachotin for the exhibition "World Knowledge", which took place in Berlin in 2010. It later went to the Max Delbrück Center and has since been on public display here.

"Gelb" by Gerdi Sternberg

With the painting "Gelb" (Yellow) by Gerdi Sternberg in the foyer of the Max Delbrück House, the view of a young Berlin artist is integrated into the project "Sculpture Park".

Gelb, 1991, Eitempera / Ölfarbe auf Leinwand

More artwork on campus

The Buch campus is home to other works by renowned artists. The central website presents them in detail:

Art on Campus Website

Art on campus

The Buch campus is home to many works by renowned artists, which interested visitors can discover on their own.

Art on Campus Website