Munich’s Long Night of Museums: Exploring Art at the European Patent Office
For Munich's Long Night of Museums on 16 October 2021, the EPO is showing the German version of a film about its high-calibre art collection for the first time. Throughout the evening, members of the public can also attend new outdoor art tours on the premises of the EPO, which is one of the main sponsors of this year's epic event. The artworks covered in each 30-minute tour are to be specially illuminated for the occasion by the Munich video artist Raphael Kurig.
Ahead of the city-wide live programme on Saturday, EPO President António Campinos highlighted the connection between European culture and the organisation's roots in Munich:
"For 40 years, the EPO art collection has reflected an impressive openness to new ideas and, at the same time, the diversity and richness of European culture. The EPO is very proud of its unique collection, which originated in Munich and continues to inspire staff and visitors to the Office today. As an international organisation with strong roots in Munich, interaction with the local community is important to us. The sculptures in our green spaces, including works by Max Bill, Eduardo Paolozzi, Steven Rand and Hansjörg Voth, contribute to the development of the urban landscape and invite Munich residents to get to know us better."
Exploring Art at the EPO with Dr. Kristine Schönert, 20.00 hrs
For everyone with an interest in art and innovation, there is an exciting opportunity to see the German version of the documentary "Exploring Art at the EPO", complete with an introduction and live Q&A with the collection's curator Dr. Kristine Schönert. The film was shot in four countries and showcases over 50 key works from the collection, taking you on a tour of six artists' studios and introducing you to the architect of the EPO's Munich headquarters. It also highlights the importance of art in the workplace and features multiple interviews with EPO employees. The entire event is free of charge and open to all (no advance registration is required). It takes place online here.
Outdoor public art tours
For the first time ever, the public can attend in-person art tours at the following EPO sites:
- Isar headquarters, just across the Boschbrücke from the Deutsches Museum
- The Pschorrhöfe buildings, starting near where the Kurt-Haertel-Passage begins at Grasserstrasse (Hackerbrücke)
Tours take place simultaneously at both sites at the following times:
19.00 hrs | 20.00 hrs | 21.00 hrs | 22:00 hrs | 23:00 hrs
Advance registration is required, owing to a limited number of places. Please register here.
A night to remember
The EPO intends to make this year's Long Night of Museums in Munich a night to remember, together with around 70 other participating institutions including the Lenbachhaus, the Pinakotheken, Haus der Kunst, Munich Stadtmuseum, Jewish Museum, BMW Museum, the transport branch of the Deutsches Museum, FC Bayern Museum, Museum Mensch und Natur, Amerikahaus, the Munich Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism and the newly renovated Glyptothek.
You can already get a taste of what's to come on Munich's official Long Night of Museums Instagram account, which the EPO will take over for 24 hours on Thursday 14 October. Look out for our series of interactive stories introducing the EPO art collection then, in addition to related posts on all our usual channels.
Please note: To make sure that the 3G rule is observed, visitors will receive an armband on the day of the event (Saturday 16 October) either from 13:00 hrs onwards at Odeonsplatz or at the first site they visit (in both cases, proof of your vaccination, recovery or negative test is required). Face masks must be worn while inside the buildings of participating institutions.