Nele Ströbel | Keyboards, 1985-1987

Nele Ströbel | Keyboard, 1985-1987

Keyboards without keys, without leads, without color – only wood and recessed hand prints. The dawn of the computer age? No, instead, an unusual project by a freshly qualified sculptress from Vienna. As “artist in residence” from 1985 through 1987, Nele Ströbel was commissioned by Siemens to model and produce collages for computer workstations of the future. The idea was for biomorphic keyboards and intelligible forms of computers to transform the tools of digital technology from simple storage space, taking them out into three dimensions – with the keyboard as a bridge, not as an interface between man and machine “because, at this point, I come into direct, tactile contact with the equipment itself” – a new, “sculptural” combination of ergonomics and aesthetics. Man as a competent user was the focus of user test parties…
Models and documents on the design process for this project have been integrated into the Neue Sammlung inventory as a donation by the artist.
As of April, Die Neue Sammlung is showing selected works from this design process at Pinakothek der Moderne on the basement level | room 3. Long-time connoisseurs of the work of Nele Ströbel engage in dialogue with the artist in the direct location of the exhibition.