Catalyst lab & Deep vision
Transformation - Virtual and material realities in transit
Last year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention, the European Patent Office (EPO) converted its former patent file archive and central printing facilities into a 3 000 m2 cultural space. The former registry for patent files, which became redundant when the patent granting process was digitalised, was transformed into a nearly 1 000 m2 part of this space containing Catalyst lab and Deep vision, an immersive exhibition created in partnership with Ars electronica of Linz, Austria. The works in these exhibits put both past and future on display, exploring the intersection of heritage and innovation to showcase the unique synthesis of creativity in inventive activity and artistic expression.
The transformation from archive to cultural space was almost two years in the making. A groundbreaking design was developed for the basement’s remodel to reference the original essence of the paper-based patent file archive while at the same time creating an educational and experiential space for staff, school children and other visitors.
The challenge when creating this exhibition space was not only to retain as much of the original atmosphere as possible, but also to incorporate and repurpose its mobile archive shelves into display cabinets for art with a technological focus. Old patent files have deliberately been integrated as a heritage element into the new concept as a record of how patent examiners and other EPO staff once worked. The technical information disclosed in the files remains documented on paper as an intangible cultural asset, making the history and workings of the EPO visible for future generations.
The change in the way the space is being used was taken as the starting point for the artistic exploration under the current exhibition theme of transformation. These eleven works offer a range of positions taken by contemporary artists in the collection of the EPO, exploring the interface between virtual and material realities and emphasising liminal states or transition zones in the way technology and society are evolving. Transformation includes ecological, social and cultural changes becoming visible due to the accelerating development of technology, as well as how these changes are shaping our present and future values on topics such as digitalisation, waste management, climate change, robotics and automation, space exploration, algorithms, artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion and even our working hours.
This shift in social values has had an impact on technological innovation, which can be noted in the increasing number of inventions which focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is vividly depicted in the digital commission Pulse of the EPO, which was developed by the artistic duo Quadrature in collaboration with the EPO and can now be seen in Deep vision. A series of changing narratives shown across three ultra-high-definition projections and 11 metres of wall depicts the global dynamism of ten million patent applications relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. Using a special EPO coding system for sustainable technologies, the Berlin-based artists sifted through the EPO’s PATSTAT worldwide database for patent statistics to select a free interpretation of the enormous data set. The installation casts a spotlight on contemporary global issues and challenges, examines how technology is impacting our society and traces the way innovation and progress are rapidly changing the world. Gigapixel Editions, another EPO digital commission for the Deep vision exhibition space, shows the technical progress that is possible in the very way we view art by using a high-resolution projection to allow viewers to experience three works from the EPO art collection in a new way.
The transition from a reality that is analogue and material to one which is digital and virtual is also the subject of the Capsule exhibition on intellectual property protection, which is integrated into a former patent file shelving unit. The development of an abstract idea into a specific invention is outlined in five steps using original documents, films and illustrations. Taking the QR code as an example, the work highlights one technology as standing for all digital change. At the same time, viewers gain access to the contents of the files and see in detail how the patent came to be. In this way the patent granting procedure can also be understood as a process of transformation, building on the technical knowledge of the past to create innovations for all.
Perpetually striving for a higher quality of life, increased efficiency, greater cost-effectiveness and broader horizons, our civilisation is in a constant state of flux. With every technological advancement, with every scientific breakthrough, new spaces and possibilities open up. As a result, our outlook and lives change. The Catalyst lab appeals to our ability to view innovation holistically on the basis of technological, societal and cultural values as a way of understanding the new dimensions of rapid technological impact on society in the digital age.
About the European Patent Office (EPO)
With over 6 300 employees from 39 countries, the EPO is the second largest public institution in Europe and supports inventors, researchers and companies around the world in protecting their inventions. Its mission is to stimulate technological progress in Europe and contribute to a safe, smart and sustainable world by promoting innovation, competitiveness and economic growth. Established with the signing of the European Patent Convention in 1973, the EPO serves as the central authority for patent protection in Europe and provides free access to the world's largest database of technical information from patents, which currently contains over 150 million patent documents.
About A&T 5-10
In 2023 the European Patent Office opened its 3 000 m2 cultural space in the basement of its main building in Munich. This fascinating mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions with projects at the intersection of contemporary art, technology, society, architecture and design invites visitors to consider bold new ideas relating to the pressing questions and issues of our time. In addition to its exhibits, A&T 5-10 includes social and co-working spaces with the aim of encouraging visitors to reflect on and discuss the roles of technology and society.