Symposium at Hamburger Bahnhof- Naonalgalerie der Gegenwart in Berlin

On November 13, 2026, the Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart will host a one-day symposium dedicated to the preservation of light-based artworks.

Starting point for this symposium is Dan Flavin’s iconic light installation Untitled (1996), with its blue and green fluorescent lamps spanning both the main façade and the interior of Hamburger Bahnhof. Created on the occasion of the museum’s opening in 1996, this site-specific work has become a landmark in Berlin. Flavin’s artistic practice relied almost exclusively on commercially available fluorescent lamps, which have since become
obsolete due to market shi2s and evolving regulations in both Europe and the U.S. However, the availability of compatible materials is crucial for the preservation and ongoing presentation of works like Flavin’s.
The long-term care of light-based art presents unique challenges related to sustainability, technological change, and obsolescence, all of which may impact the integrity of an artwork and the ar tist’s intent. In response to these challenges, this symposium will examine current strategies and future perspectives on the conservation of light-based works.

Organisation: Andrea Sartorius · Carolin Bohlmann · Eva Rieß