Art, science, and the people

Science and art, the sober and the creative – how do they go together? This combination, which seems unusual at first glance, has existed since ancient times: the goddess Athena was responsible for both of these »areas« on Mount Olympus. In 2016, TU Darmstadt – which, incidentally, features the versatile Athena in its coat of arms – created an art forum. Under the direction of Julia Reichelt, M.A., a place for interdisciplinary exchange has been created that promotes the interaction of art and science.

Since then, the Kunstforum has been located in the former drawing room for ornamentation in the Old Main. With exhibitions and interdisciplinary events, it offers an attractive interface between art, science, university, and society. Julia Reichelt was interviewed for the TU Darmstadt 2024 annual report.

Interview with Julia Reichelt

Picture: Klaus Mai

Julia Reichelt

Julia Reichelt, M.A. ist seit 2016 Leiterin des Kunstforums der TU Darmstadt.

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The focus is on the connection between art and science: our unique selling point! We are unique in this regard and pioneers in Germany. In many other countries, art in the sense of dedicated exhibition venues is part of the good reputation of a renowned university. The connection between science and art creates added value, something unique for TU Darmstadt and for the urban community.

During my time as curator and director of the Kunstforum, we were able to work with many scientists and employees of TU Darmstadt to develop surprising event formats for the people at TU Darmstadt and for the urban community for each exhibition. I really enjoy combining aesthetic education with interdisciplinary concerns. However, the visibility and public impact of our exhibitions in public spaces is also important for the Kunstforum. This results in an attractive network between TU Darmstadt and the city's community.

The scope of cooperation is broad. Among other things, there have already been joint events with the Center for Responsible Digitalization, the University Archives, the University and State Library of Darmstadt, the Institutes of Linguistics and Philosophy, various departments, and the Botanical Garden. The Student Film Circle of TU Darmstadt and the cultural organization 806qm of the General Student Committee have also been involved. The Center for Cognitive Science and the Systems Neurophysiology research group in the Department of Biology are participating this year.

Our podcast »Schönheit und Verstand« (German for »Beauty and Mind«) brings together a wide variety of people. We have already had guests such as historian and writer Barbara Beuys and anthropologist Dr. Gabriele Habinger, and brought them together with scientists from TU Darmstadt such as Dr. Allegra Baumann, urban sociologist at the Institute of Sociology, and doctoral students Johanna Berger and Margarita Hartlieb. The two are working on the topic of biodiversity at the Department of Biology.

As mentioned, the Kunstforum has embraced collaboration from the very beginning. It is a place for human interaction. Located in the heart of the city, we reach people from many peer groups and live out TU Darmstadt strategies such as internationalization, diversity, transfer, and sustainability. When we show contemporary art in our hall that combines art and science in unusual ways, such as Paula Doepfner's works in the exhibition »Paula Doepfner ›I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warning’‹«, this gives us the opportunity to establish our »Science & Art Talk« and forge links with the Centre for Cognitive Science and the Systems Neurophysiology department at the TU.

And when Friedensplatz, Georg-Büchner-Platz, or the Schlossgraben are also used as venues, as will be the case in 2024 with the pictures by Darmstadt travel photographer Milli Bau, this draws the attention of »uninvolved« Darmstadt residents to the TU Darmstadt. The Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt has thus established itself firmly in the consciousness of TU members, the city's population, and the German exhibition scene.

Art education is an indispensable part of art, which is why numerous interdisciplinary and intergenerational events and guided tours have been designed and carried out for different target groups in the past.

Since May 2024, the TU Kunstforum has been running a Mobile Painting Studio and offering workshops and other opportunities for outdoor painting.

The Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt is all about taking a fresh look at contemporary art and promoting surprising, interdisciplinary collaborations and networks. As one of the key hubs of the science city of Darmstadt, the Technical University makes a significant contribution to aesthetic education and helps to create new interfaces between art, culture, and science. Through its Kunstforum and the accompanying exhibition activities, TU Darmstadt is increasingly establishing itself in the public eye as a venue for cultural events.

The TU Darmstadt Art Forum is part of the Science Communication Center and a member of the Rhine Main Universities (RMU) Association.

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