Robotron: Exploring East German Computing History Through Art
An exhibition at the HMKV Hartware MedienKunstVerein in Dortmund, Germany, delves into the fascinating and often overlooked history of computer technology in East Germany, specifically focusing on the Robotron company. Opening March 14, 2026, and running through July 26, 2026, “Robotron. Working Class and Intelligentsia” presents a unique intersection of art, technology, and economic history.
The Legacy of Robotron
The rise of computers and microelectronics beginning in the 1960s marked a significant industrial shift, often referred to as the “third industrial revolution.” In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the name “Robotron” became synonymous with this new technology and its transformative potential across all sectors of the economy. The exhibition explores this development through the work of over 20 artists.
Uncovering Espionage and Innovation
Curator Inke Arns highlights a compelling story of economic espionage within the exhibition, centering on artist Antye Guenther’s work, “Operation Onion Pattern.” This piece investigates the “Toshiba scandal,” where the Stasi allegedly persuaded Toshiba to smuggle plans and components for computer chips into the GDR, circumventing the CoCom embargo – a restriction intended to prevent the flow of advanced computer technology to socialist countries. The story details alleged payments to Toshiba managers not only in money but also in Meissen porcelain, with the porcelain itself becoming a covert storage medium for sensitive information. Elements of chip blueprints are incorporated into the glaze of the porcelain’s onion pattern.
Artistic Representations of Industrial Life
Beyond the intrigue of espionage, the exhibition showcases a range of artistic media, including photographs, videos, sculptural works, drawings, oil paintings, and installations. A central piece is the video “Buna ein Zeit” by Tina Bara, created during a 1988 visit to the Buna-Werke in Schkopau. Bara documented the working conditions and environmental pollution within the factory, which produced materials crucial for chip production. Despite attempts to confiscate her footage, Bara successfully smuggled the films out and transformed them into a powerful video work.
Reflecting on Industrial Transitions
Arns draws parallels between the decline of heavy industry in the Ruhr area and the situation in the former GDR, noting that the experiences of people in both regions share similarities. She anticipates engaging discussions with audiences in Dortmund, similar to those sparked at the Gallery for Contemporary Art (GfZK) in Leipzig, where former Robotron employees engaged with the exhibition as a cultural-historical exploration.
Beyond Nostalgia: A Critical Perspective
The exhibition doesn’t offer a romanticized view of socialism. Instead, it focuses on the unique computer developments that occurred in socialist countries, developments that are often overlooked today. Arns points to the example of the Setun computer in the Soviet Union, a ternary computer operating with 0, 1, and -1, as an example of a radically different technological path. She suggests that exploring these alternative approaches can challenge our assumptions about technology and its possibilities.
A Multi-Layered Exhibition Design
The exhibition features a text-image essay by Jan Wenzel, contextualizing the history of Robotron within broader global economic developments. This essay is designed to guide visitors through the artistic works and provide a deeper understanding of the historical context.
The Significance of the Title
The exhibition’s title, “Working Class and Intelligentsia,” references a monumental mural painted by Werner Tübke in 1973 for the computer center at Leipzig University. Commissioned by the SED, the mural aimed to depict the harmonious relationship between the working class and the intelligentsia – a vision that, according to Arns, was more aspirational than reality. The exhibition will display a five-meter-wide oil sketch of this mural, rarely shown to the public.
Exhibition Details
- Title: Robotron. Working Class and Intelligentsia
- Dates: March 14 – July 26, 2026
- Location: HMKV, Dortmunder U, Level 3, Dortmund, Germany
- Contact: 0231 502 47 23