Where bodies and objects meet

The Object Lab at the Center for Cultural Technique offers space for innovative research and teaching at the HU Berlin, where material practices, bodies and objects are examined and investigated in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner. In the tradition of researching cultural techniques at the Central Institute, the focus is on practices of producing, communicating and processing knowledge. The exchange of knowledge with society and the inclusion of non-academic knowledge sources and different types of knowledge play a central role here. 

Historically, the object lab was the ‘slaughterhouse’ for the neighboring Vetenary Anatomical Theatre (Tieranatomisches Theater) and has always combined craft with academic and creative knowledge. Today, very different teaching, research and event formats take place in the object lab – including performances, installations, artistic-scientific experiments and participatory projects. In addition to a wet section and a fume cupboard for experiments, the basic equipment of the object lab also includes a dance floor for performative and body-centered work.

Exhibition showcases on one side of the wall enable the presentation of selected objects from the HU’s teaching collections or other objects/materials, which are thus visible and available for specific projects. The team from the office Knowledge Exchange with Society supports the implementation of teaching and event formats that have a transdisciplinary or participatory character.