PHYSIK is a photographic essay about an exhibition that did more than just convey knowledge—it made it tangible. The Physics Department at the Deutsches Museum Munich existed almost unchanged from 1957 to 2022, standing as an icon of post-war modernism. Designed by the architect Paolo Nestler, its clarity and lightness were unparalleled, especially given the profound complexity of physics itself.
Nestler, an Italian by birth who studied in both Italy and Munich, played a significant role in shaping Munich’s architectural scene—yet he remains largely unknown. His vision for the Physics Department created a space where fundamental scientific principles became an interactive and hands-on experience, reflecting the museum’s signature approach to learning through direct engagement.
This book captures the unique atmosphere of the exhibition through fragmentary, detail-oriented close-ups. It is not just a documentation of a vanished space but a tribute to a spirit of exploration, curiosity, and discovery. Since the department’s permanent closure in the summer of 2022 due to extensive renovations, this photographic homage remains the only way to relive one of the longest-standing and most significant exhibitions in Europe’s most renowned museum of technology.
Published by the Deutsches Museum
January 2025
188 pages, 23 x 29.7 x 2.4 cm
ISBN 978-3948808