Exhibition in the Object Lab

At first glance, Paula Doepfner’s drawings appear abstract, like veils of mist or delicate branches. Only upon closer inspection can one discern the fine lettering that the artist has applied to delicate tracing paper. They are passages from poems by Paul Celan, but also from the Istanbul Protocol. Trauma, torture, traces, memory – all of this is condensed and interwoven, but not only present through the text references. The works are based on sketches that Paula Doepfner made as an observer during brain operations at the Charité hospital.

Located in the Object Lab of the Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik on the North Campus, not far from the Charité hospital, a selection of these works will be presented in discussions designed to highlight their special impact. In addition to an afternoon devoted to the works of Paula Doepfner in conversation with the artist, another evening discussion will focus on the topics of migration, flight, expulsion and the (psychological) consequences of torture and violence. We would be delighted if you would accept our invitation.

Exhibition: 24–27 February 2026, open 12 noon–2 p.m.

Accompanying events:
23 February 2026, 4pm–6pm: Opening with introduction by the artist

26 February 2026, 6pm–8pm: TRACES OF PAIN. Art, trauma and flight. Interdisciplinary discussion evening with Paula Doepfner – artist, Berlin
Ulrike Kluge – Professor & Senior Psychologist/Group Analyst, Charité Berlin/BIM
Julia Manek – Psychologist & Human Geographer, medico international
Moderator: Pauline Endres de Oliveira – Professor of Law & Migration (HU/BIM)
In cooperation with: Christina Kuhli – Curator HU

Contact: Christina Kuhli, christina.kuhli@hu-berlin.de