Paper has been a part of our lives for centuries. But perhaps its most exciting future still lies ahead.
With DENKMASCHINE – Paper, we invite artists, designers, architects, materials researchers, engineers, students, school classes, and anyone with a curious mind to reflect on paper as a starting point for future materials.
We’re not just interested in finished objects.
On the contrary.
We want to bring ideas to light while they’re still taking shape.
Depending on size and format, the jury will select approximately 20 to 40 works. They will be presented starting December 11, 2026, at the Museum Haus des Papiers in the special exhibition “DENKMASCHINE.”
We are looking for concepts, sketches, material experiments, and research approaches that explore the use of paper, paper waste, or regional fiber plants as the basis for new materials. Whether these could result in lightweight composite materials, flexible structures, load-bearing constructions, textile applications, or entirely different material systems is not important at this stage.
Not every good idea needs to have a specific application right away. Pure basic research is also expressly welcome.
We believe that the materials of the future aren’t just created in laboratories, but often begin with a simple question: “What if…?” These are exactly the kinds of questions we’re looking for.
Application deadline: September 27, 2026