Babette Werner
Babette Werner is an art and visual historian with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of art, ecology and technology, dealing with time, space and transformation. She works as curator and writer and has developed and implemented interdisciplinary exhibitions and publication projects in the field of visual and performing arts for international art institutions, including BMW Guggenheim Lab for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Nur Skulptur! at Kunsthalle Mannheim, Schaustelle for Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne, and among others Otto Piene. More Sky at Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.
In her new role as editor of MoA's upcoming final publication (together with Claudia Mareis and Carolin Ott), Werner seeks to highlight the ongoing inspiring work and research of Matters of Activity’s members within the framework of a »book as exhibition«.
Werner researches on links between visual interpretations of natural phenomena and social discourses and seeks to contribute to a genealogy of an ecological aesthetic.
In her practice-based thesis (supervised by Prof. Dr. Claudia Blümle, Institute of Art and Visual History at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Prof. Dr. Stefan Neuner, University of the Arts Berlin) she researches on the analog and digital (re-)stagings of process-based and inter-media art from the late 1950s until today and their potential for sustainable archival and curatorial practices. The focus is put on artist Otto Piene who experimented with natural phenomena, light and slide installations in analog and digital spaces. Her PhD project was funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung and is part of MoA’s doctoral program.
Cluster of Excellence
»Matters of Activity«
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Sophienstr. 22a
10178 Berlin
Articles in Edited Volumes
Werner, B. 2024. »Visualizing the Invisible. Touch in Analogue and Virtual Space.« In Marta Djourina. Foxfire, edited by Cristea, N, Djourina, M. Trans. of Visualisierung des Unsichtbaren: Berührung im analogen und virtuellen Raum. Berlin: Distanz, 40-87.
https://www.distanz.de/en/marta-djourina/foxfire
Werner, B. 2023. »Jette Held. If Water Could Write | Wenn Wasser schreiben könnte.« In Gute Aussichten. Junge deutsche Fotografie 2022/2023 – New German Photography 2022/2023, Ausst.-Kat. Deichtorhallen Hamburg, edited by Becht, S., Raab, J. Gravenstein: ScandinavianBook, 20-42.
Werner, B. 2023. »Touchpoint (2021) and Touch Stream (2023)—Visualizing Touch with Kirlian Photography and Digital Simulation.« In Marta Djourina. AArtist in Residence Program 2022, edited by Landesverband Berliner Galerien (lvbg) Trans. of Touchpoint (2021) und Touch Stream (2023)—Visualisierung von Berührung durch Kirlian-Fotografie und digitale Simulation. Berlin: Landesverband Berliner Galerien (lvbg), 12-13.
Werner, B. 2021. »Leon Billerbeck. Nothing Compares to You: Ataxia/Ataraxia.« In Gute Aussichten. New German Photography 2020/2021, edited by Becht, S., Raab, J. Gravenstein: ScandinavianBook, 38-61.
Highlighted by https://www.deichtorhallen.de/en/ausstellung/gute-aussichten-2022.
Werner, B. 2019. »Juliane Jaschnow. The Modeling and Staging of our Memory Mass: Recapitulation.« In Gute Aussichten. New German Photography 2019/2020, edited by Becht, S, Raab, J. 2019/2020. Gravenstein: ScandinavianBook, 64-75.
Highlighted by https://www.deichtorhallen.de/ausstellung/gute-aussichten-2020-2019.
Werner, B. 2018. »Robert ter Horst. Dances with Pixels: Playtime.« In Gute Aussichten. New German Photography 2018/2019, edited by Becht, S., Raab, J. Munich: Sieveking, 142-157.
Highlighted by https://www.deichtorhallen.de/en/ausstellung/gute-aussichten-2018-2019.
Werner, B. 2016. »George Condo. Stations of a Life.« In George Condo. Confrontation, edited by Kittelmann, U., Rappe, F. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, 24-27.
Werner, B. 2016. »Marta Djourina. Between Media. The Dematerialization of the Everyday.« IBB-Preis für Photographie 2016 Berlin. In Marta Djourina, edited by Investitionsbank Berlin Universität der Künste Berlin, 22-25.
https://usercontent.one/wp/www.martadjourina.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marta_Djourina_Zwischen_Medien-Die_Entmaterialisierung_des_Alltags_Text-Babette_Marie_Werner_IBB_Preis_fuer_Fotografie.pdf
Werner, B. 2016. »Mia Autio. Nothing is how it is: Variation of White.« In Gute Aussichten. New German Photography 2016/2017, edited by Becht, S., Raab, J. Trans. of Mia Autio. Nichts ist, wie es ist: Variation of White. München: Sieveking, 24-43.
Lukowicz, M., Werner, B. 2015. »Otto Piene. Biography.« In Otto Piene. Licht, edited by Arnhold, H., Lukowicz, M. Bielefeld: Kerber, 226-230.
Werner, B. 2015. »Maja Wirkus. Praesens || Present. Sculptural photography in space and image.« In Gute Aussichten. New German Photography 2015/2016, edited by Becht, S., Raab, J. Trans. of Maja Wirkus. Praesens || Präsens. Skulpturale Fotografie im Raum und im Bild. Heidelberg: DPunkt, 154-167.
Werner, B. 2015. »Otto Piene. Biography.« In Otto Piene. Rainbow, edited by Alemi, M Düsseldorf/Tehran: Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, 58-67.
Highlighted by https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/kunst-teheran-zeigt-erstmals-zero-kuenstler-otto-piene-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-150224-99-01144.
Werner, B, 2014. »The Proliferation of the Sun.« In Otto Piene. More Sky, edited by Jäger, J. Trans. of Die Sonne kommt näher. Berlin: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, 4.
Highlighted by https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/kunst-und-architektur/otto-piene-in-berlin-die-sonne-im-nachthimmel-13049177.html.
Werner, B. 2013. »Alchemy of the Everyday.« Exh. cat., Kunsthalle Mannheim. In Nur Skulptur!, edited by Ecker, B., Lorenz, U., Patruno, S. Trans. of Alchemie des Alltags. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 156-161.
Werner, B. 2013. »Optic - Haptic - Acoustic.« In Nur Skulptur!, edited by Ecker, B., Lorenz, U., Patruno, S. Trans. of Optik – Haptik – Akustik. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 90-97.
Werner, B. 2013. »Prototype - Individual - Body Cover.« Exhib. cat., Kunsthalle Mannheim. In Nur Skulptur!, edited by Ecker, B., Lorenz, U., Patruno, S. Trans. of Prototyp – Individuum – Körperhülle. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 162-167.
Werner, B. 2013. »The Image of the Human Being in Modern Age.« Exhib. cat., Kunsthalle Mannheim. In Nur Skulptur!, edited by Ecker, B., Lorenz, U., Patruno, S. Trans. of Das Menschenbild in der Moderne. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 144-155.
Highlighted by https://www.kulturstiftung-des-bundes.de/en/programmes_projects/image_and_space/detail/sculpture_only.html.
Articles
Werner, B. 2024. »From Natural Phenomena to Digital Matter: (Re-)Staging Earthworks and Performance Art in Digital Spaces | Von Naturphänomenen zu digitaler Materie: (Re-)Inszenierung von Earthworks und Performancekunst in digitalen Räumen.« In The Work of Art in the Age of Digitalization, special issue. Trópos. Journal of Hermeneutics and Philosophical Criticism.
Werner, B. 2014. »Otto Piene. More Sky.« MuseumsJournal, 03 (2014): 58-59.
Conference Proceedings
Werner, B., Caianiello, T. 2019. »Changing Media in Slide Installations. Digital and Analogue Stagings of Works by Otto Piene.« Presented at »Back to the Future. Riding the Slide Carousel«, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 18-19 January 2018. Bielefeld: Kerber, 114-134.
Highlighted by https://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de/en/back-future-im-karussell-der-diakonservierung.
Werner, B. 2018. »Restaging the Proliferation of the Sun in 2014: The Digital Projections.« Presented at Light on/off: reconstruction and presentation of light installations on the occasion of the exhibition »Zero ist gut für dich: Mack, Piene, Uecker in Bonn, 1966/2016«, LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, 8 December 2016. Bonn/Düsseldorf: LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, 88–99.
Highlighted by https://landesmuseum-bonn.lvr.de/en/ausstellungen/archiv/zero_ist_gut_fuer_dich/zero_ist_gut_fuer_dich.html.
Exhibitions
Alt, Y., Bortt, L., Herdlicka, J., Werner, B. Dragoner.01 – Super Contemporary Arts Fest. Exhibition. Dragonerareal, Berlin. 4 August 2023 - 6 August 2023.
https://dragoner0x.com/
Highlighted by https://kubaparis.com/submission/362377.
Rief, M., Werner, B. Marie Rief. Identity by repetition. Exhibition. Willy-Brandt-Haus, Berlin. 15 September 2022 - 27 November 2022.
https://www.fkwbh.de/ausstellung/identity-repetition
Gebbers, A.-C. (curator), Kittelmann, U. (curator), Werner, B (management assistant). Julian Rosefeldt. Manifesto. Exhibition. Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart. 10 February 2016 - 6 November 2016.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/julian-rosefeldt-manifesto/
Kittelmann, U. (curator), Rappe, F. (curator), Werner, B. (co-curator) George Condo. Confrontation. Exhibition. Museum Berggruen. 19 November 2016 - 1 May 2017.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/george-condo-confrontation/
Kittelmann, U. (curator), Mattheus, S. (co-curator), Werner, B. (management assistant). Mary Heilmann & David Reed. Two By Two. Exhibition. Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart. 6 March 2015 - 11 October 2015.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/mary-heilmann-david-reed-two-by-two/
Kittelmann, U. (curator), Odier, A. (coordinator), Werner, B. (assistant coordinator). Kraftwerk: 3-D concert series. Exhibition. Neue Nationalgalerie. 6 January 2015 - 13 January 2015.
https://www.smb.museum/en/whats-new/detail/kraftwerk-3-d-concert-series-at-the-neue-nationalgalerie-january-6-13-2015/
Roumiguière, M. (curator), Hoheisel, G. (assistant curator), Werner, B. (management assistant). Michael Beutler. Moby Dick. Exhibition. Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart. 17 April 2015 - 6 September 2015.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/michael-beutler-moby-dick/
Wesenberg, A. (curator), Werner, B. (management assistant) Impressionism - Expressionism. Art at a Turning Point. Exhibition. Alte Nationalgalerie. 22 May 2015 - 20 September 2015.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/impressionism-expressionism-art-at-a-turning-point/
Eliasson, O. (curator), Ellingsen, E. (curator), Werner, C. (curator), Werner, B. (curatorial assistant) et al. Festival of Future Nows → ∞. Exhibition. Neue Nationalgalerie. 30 October 2014 - 1 November 2014.
https://futurenows.net/2014/
Jäger, J.(curator), Werner, B. (curator). Otto Piene. More Sky. Exhibition. Neue Nationalgalerie and Deutsche Bank KunstHalle.. 17 July 2014 - 31 August 2014.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/otto-piene-more-sky/
Highlighted by https://www.monopol-magazin.de/der-himmel-so-weit.
Kittelmann, U. (curator), Jäger, J. (curator), Söll, N. (assistant curator), Werner, B. (management assistant). David Chipperfield - Sticks and Stones, an Intervention. Exhibition. Neue Nationalgalerie. 2 October 2014 - 31 December 2014.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/david-chipperfield-sticks-and-stones-an-intervention/
Kittelmann, U. (curator), Schmitz, B. (curator), Werner, B. (management assistant). Gottfried Lindauer. The Māori Portraits. Exhibition. Alte Nationalgalerie. 20 November 2014 - 12 April 2015.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/gottfried-lindauer-the-maori-portraits/
Bock, J. (artist), Ecker, B. (curator), Lorenz, U. (curator), Patruno, S. (co-curator), Signer, R. (artist), Smith, K. (artist), Werner, B. (assistant curator). Nur Skulptur! Exhibition. 16 March 2013 - 17 November 2013.
https://www.kulturstiftung-des-bundes.de/en/programmes_projects/image_and_space/detail/sculpture_only.html
Heid, B. (curator), Lepik, A. (curator), Rose, C. (coordinator), Sanchez Serrano, L. (coordinator), Schmitzberger, R. (curator), Schwenk, B. (curator), Storz, K. (coordinator), Strobl, H. (curator), Werner, B. (coordinator). Schaustelle – der temporäre Aktionsraum für die Pinakothek der Moderne. Exhibition. Schaustelle der Pinakothek der Moderne. 13 April 2013 - 15 September 2013.
http://schaustelle-pdm.de/about/
Gómez-Márquez, J. (curator Berlin Lab Team), Ratti, C. (curator Berlin Lab Team), Rose, C. (curator Berlin Lab Team), Smith, R. (curator Berlin Lab Team), Nicanor, M. (curator), Henke, L. (coordinator), Storz, K. (assistant coordinator), Debicki, C. (assistant public programs), Kleff, Y. (assistant public programs), Koziel, P. (assistant public programs), Werner, B. (assistant public programs). BMW Guggenheim Lab Berlin. Exhibition. Pfefferberg, Berlin. 15 June 2012 - 29 July 2012.
http://www.bmwguggenheimlab.org/
Talks & Presentations
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. Indoor Water Bio-Remediation System. Poster presentation at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, MoA Retreat at the Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. »Minus Zero. Interspecies Design in Underwater Environments«. Talk at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Werner, B. (Lecturer) About Clouds, Robots and the Sea – Thoughts on the Aesthetics of Metabolic Formations, Biodiversity and New Ecologies in Art and Design. Keynote at the Contribution to the exhibition Stretching Materialities – Hidden Activities in Objects and Spaces, Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 16 September 2021 - 4 March 2022, Tieranatomisches Theater, Berlin. Hybrid. 28 February 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/7517/about-clouds-robots-and-the-sea-thoughts-on-the-aesthetics-of-metabolic-formations-biodiversity-and-new-ecologies-in-art-and-design
Werner, B. (Moderator), Rief, M. Identity by Repetition. Talk at the Artist talk with Marie Rief, Willy-Brandt-Haus, Berlin. Within the framework of the exhibition »Marie Rief. Identity by Repetition« at Willy-Brandt-Haus, Berlin, 15. September 2022 - 27. November 2022. Funded by Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien. 15 November 2022.
https://www.fkwbh.de/ausstellung/identity-repetition
Highlighted by https://taz.de/Die-Kunst-der-Woche-fuer-Berlin/!5879601/.
Werner, B. (moderator/organizer), Winkler, C. (organizer), Jordan, A. D. H. About Clouds, Robots and the Sea – Thoughts on the Aesthetics of Metabolic Formations, Biodiversity and New Ecologies in Art and Design. Artist talk with Anne Duk Hee Jordan and Clemens Winkler in conversation with Babette Marie Werner, Tieranatomisches Theater, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Contribution to the exhibition Stretching Materialities – Hidden Activities in Objects and Spaces, Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 16 September 2021 - 4 March 2022. Hybrid. 28 February 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/7517/about-clouds-robots-and-the-sea-thoughts-on-the-aesthetics-of-metabolic-formations-biodiversity-and-new-ecologies-in-art-and-design
Werner, B. Strategies of (Re-)Staging process-based art by Otto Piene within the context of the 1960s. Talk at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field. Progress Presentations Doctoral Program, Landgut Stober, Brandenburg. Cluster Retreat 2022. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Werner, B. (Lecturer), Caianiello, T. (Lecturer), Changing Media in Slide Installations. Digital and Analogue Stagings of Works by Otto Piene. Keynote at the Back to the Future. Riding the Slide Carousel, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg. 1 January 2018.
https://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de/en/back-future-im-karussell-der-diakonservierung
Werner, B. Restaging the Proliferation of the Sun in 2014: The Digital Projections. Talk at the Restaging ZERO. Light on/off: reconstruction and presentation of light installations, Slide Projections: Analogue vs. Digital. LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. An interdisciplinary knowledge transfer meeting on the occasion of the Exhibition »Zero ist gut für dich: Mack, Piene, Uecker in Bonn, 1966/2016« at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, 26 November 2016 - 26 March 2017. 8 December 2016.
https://landesmuseum-bonn.lvr.de/en/ausstellungen/archiv/zero_ist_gut_fuer_dich/zero_ist_gut_fuer_dich.html
Invited Moderation/ Comment
Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Schäffner, A., Werner, B. MATTERSCAPES. A Studio Visit. Doctoral Presentations, adapt, transform, revaluate, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Matters of Activity, Berlin. Moderation by Beyer, Bastian. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 27 June 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/11320/matterscapes-a-studio-visit
Events & Workshops
Werner, B. »Art-Science-Collaborations: Establishing a Research Agenda«, Participatory Forum at ZKM Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe. 6 October 2023 - 7 October 2023.
https://scheringstiftung.de/en/programm/dialog/veranstaltungen/art-science-collaborations-establishing-a-research-agenda/
Teaching & Courses
Kudinova, Claudia, Werner, Babette. ZERO. Licht- und Raumkunst der 1950er und 1960er Jahre. Block Seminar, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 23 October 2023 - 12 February 2024.
https://agnes.hu-berlin.de/lupo/rds?state=verpublish&status=init&vmfile=no&publishid=211201&moduleCall=webInfo&publishConfFile=webInfo&publishSubDir=veranstaltung
Werner, B. Academic Research, Writing and Learning Techniques. Practical course, Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT). 5 October 2023 - 2 February 2024.
Werner, B. Presenting Techniques. Practical course, Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT). 5 October 2023 - 2 February 2024.
External Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships & Residencies
Werner, B. 2020. PhD Scholarship. Gerda Henkel Stiftung Scholarship.
https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/
Cooperations
Werner, B. et al (Member) Since 2023. Art Science Collaborations: Establishing a Research Agenda.
https://scheringstiftung.de/en/programm/dialog/veranstaltungen/art-science-collaborations-establishing-a-research-agenda/
Memberships
Ninnis, K., Ströbele, U., Werner, B. et al. Since 2023. Art | Material | Ecology Working Group. Member.
https://www.zikg.eu/forschung/projekte/projekte-zi/arbeitskreis-art-material-ecology