Writing. Pen, keyboard, voice recognition

How will we write in future? And what impact will that have on the texts we produce? From 16 September 2022 to 13 January 2023, the exhibition “Writing” explores the new writing techniques that have taken over our everyday lives.

Aufgeschrieben
Key visual of the exhibition "Writing" (Design: Melanie Brandel Manufaktur für Gestaltung)

From voice recognition and autocorrect to copy and paste, new writing techniques have taken over our everyday lives and are changing the way we write. We are currently experiencing a shift that has been accelerating for 150 years. In the exhibition “Writing”, the NL looks back at the quill and the typewriter, presents the biro and the fountain pen, and explores voice recognition and artificial intelligence.

How are writing and its techniques related? The exhibition explores this question through a unique selection of historical writing instruments and their literary treatment. It also uses a specially developed artificial intelligence programme to write the next instalment of works by Emmy Hennings and Robert Walser. How will we write in the future? An exhibition for everyone interested in the written word.

Collateral events

Public preview
15 September 2022, 6 p.m.

Literary soirée: Writing techniques – a generational discussion (in German)

22 September 2022, 6 p.m
How are literary works transformed into letters? Besides every author’s distinct style, the development of technical aids facilitates the process, but also confuses it. 

Guided tour (in German)
26 October 2022, 5.30 p.m.
with curator Hannes Mangold 

«Walsert es?»: Reading and roundtable discussion (in German)

7 November 2022, 6 p.m
Featuring texts by Robert Walser and those from the exhibition created using artificial intelligence to imitate Walser. Who can recognise the original? A collaboration with the University of Bern. 

Guided tour of the exhibition (in German)
30 November 2022, 5.30 p.m.
Writing instruments from the Swiss Literary Archives,
with Ulrich Weber, SLA

Podcast 
Background information and interesting insights on the exhibition in “Gegensprecher”, the Swiss National Library’s podcast (in German). Available from all podcast providers.

Audio walk
Discover the exhibition through an unexpected audio experience. Designed and realised in association with the Audiobande.

Visit

Opening hours
16 September 2022 – 13 January 2023
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Free admission

Private guided tours available on request:

Last modification 01.12.2022

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Contact

Swiss National Library
Section Audience
Cultural outreach
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003 Bern
Switzerland
Phone +41 58 462 89 35
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https://www.nb.admin.ch/content/snl/en/home/exhibitions-events/past-exhibitions/writing.html