Update on the media façade 

Normally, the Novartis Pavilion's zero-energy media façade lights up at sunset for 30 minutes each with science-inspired artwork. Due to a technical flaw in the connecting cables, we are unfortunately forced to temporarily turn off the facade. We deeply regret this. As soon as an estimation is available on when we will be able to power up the installation again, we will inform you on this channel. Thank you for understanding, Your Novartis Pavilion Team.

Together with the House of Electronic Arts (HEK) in Basel, we selected artists through a call for projects to produce images inspired by the world of medicine and the environment to be visible on the skin of the Novartis Pavillon. The works were created by Esther Hunziker, Daniel Canogar and artist duo Semiconductor. The technical implementation was carried out by Basel-based studio iart. 

Esther Hunziker, «Inside», 2022

Hunziker’s work is based on the dual concept of macrocosm and microcosm. She links microbiology to the macrocosm, from inside humans to the universe (cells/planets, neurons/stars, microbes/asteroids, DNA & proteins/galaxies, electrons/universe). Referring to her background as a fashion designer, the artist describes her work as a tailor-made “dress” for the building. 

Daniel Canogar, «Oculus», 2022

Daniel Canogar’s work for the zero-energy media façade is a generative abstract animation that responds in real time to climate change data. An algorithm developed by the artist’s studio accesses a series of websites that monitor various phenomena, including polar ice cap melt, carbon dioxide levels, active fire data and global temperature anomalies. The animation is a reference to color-coded graphs traditionally used to track these phenomena; he reinterprets them artistically.

Semiconductor, «Morphogenetic Movements», 2022

The artwork by artist duo Semiconductor for the media façade is a series of real-time generative animations that transform the façade of the Novartis Pavillon into a biological, self-organizing system. By generating cell-like forms that evolve from visual noise to legible patterns and back again, the artwork explores self-organization as a contemporary research method applied to biomedical research (and other scientific fields) to create an understanding of how biological entities interact, evolve and function as a system.