Art as a generator of the future: How a Berlin museum is reinventing paper as a material
The "Haus des Papiers" museum in Berlin sees itself as a bridge between art, research and industry. It connects stakeholders in order to sustainably reinvent paper as a material and brings innovations to life for society.
"We are driven by the question: Why are we throwing paper away when it could be the material of the future? The House of Paper is therefore intended to be a hinge between artistic and scientific research, between applied art, architecture, industry and craftsmanship," says Ul Vohrer, summarising the idea behind the Berlin museum, which she founded together with Annette Berr a good five years ago.
Art as a catalyst for a new appreciation
Under the motto "Art made of paper, not on paper", innovative works of contemporary visual art are regularly created in an international residency programme, supported by partners such as d'mage, Hahnemühle and Canon Germany. They transform the perception of paper as a purely consumer good into a durable material worthy of protection. This appreciation is the necessary basis for every further step towards a genuine circular economy. The "House of Paper" museum aims to redefine the complex relationship with paper as a material. "It is far more than an art gallery. It is an active "future generator" that builds bridges between material, research, application and - very importantly - society," says Annette Berr.
The "Paper Future Lab by Haus des Papiers" makes innovation visible
In summer 2024, the museum demonstrated how this transfer from art to practice works with the "Paper Future Lab". The lab functioned as a kind of decentralised exhibition: it specifically combined artistic approaches with concrete, sustainable projects from crafts, business and research. At over 30 locations around Berlin, a wide audience was able to discover in a low-threshold way how new paper is made from leaf waste, for example, or what role natural fibres play in science. The "Paper Future Lab" was not just an art show, but a public demonstration of a functioning innovation ecosystem. It laid the foundation for the long-term project: the museum wants to establish itself as a centre of excellence for interdisciplinary knowledge relating to paper and natural fibres.
From event to permanent centre of excellence
The concept of such a special show has now established itself as an institution and is continued every year under a new motto. The current special show "Fibre meets plant" follows on from the Paper Future Lab and, in cooperation with the University of Straubing and other partners from art and industry, will be focusing on the topic of the circular economy until 7 June. For example, exhibits made from lignin, a waste product from the production of certain types of paper, are on display.
The accompanying lectures take place as part of Berlin Science Week - an annual ten-day science festival that makes cutting-edge research accessible to the general public.
Cover picture: House of Paper
Patrick Morda has gained extensive experience in senior editorial positions since 2009. He has served as editor-in-chief on several occasions and was responsible for developing new business areas in the media sector, with a particular focus on topics such as new mobility. His expertise extends to the strategic management of editorial teams and working on special interest magazines.
