Artist-in-Residence Program
AiR 2026
Following a highly competitive open call, PDI is pleased to introduce Emma Wood as the artist selected for the 2026 Artist-in-Residence Programme. Emma is a Berlin-based weaver with twenty years of experience in her craft, having run her own weaving studio in the city since 2012. Her practice sits at the intersection of heritage weaving techniques, material research, and textile engineering, examining what weaving — one of the oldest and most universal of human crafts, and an early forerunner of computing — can reveal about how knowledge is made, held, and passed on.
Emma's residency runs for three months, beginning later in 2026, and will conclude with a public presentation of her work.
We received 43 applications for this year's programme and would like to thank everyone who applied for their time and creativity. Nine outstanding runners-up were also recognized and published in our recent announcement. This page will be updated as the project progresses.
About the Program
The PDI Artist-in-Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in the scientific process, collaborate with researchers and technicians, and access state-of-the-art facilities and resources in the field of materials science. Located in the heart of Berlin, PDI is one of the world's leading institutes in the fabrication and analysis of nanomaterials for semiconductor technology. PDI's in-house facilities provide over 1500 m² of laboratory space, including 11 molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) systems and a central clean room area of 450 m² dedicated to state-of-the-art processing and nanofabrication.
Over a three-month period, the selected artist will work closely with scientists and technicians at PDI, gain access to labs, equipment, and insights into our research and activities. At the end of the residency, the artist will present their processes and learnings in a public discussion and showcase their work in an exhibition format suitable to their discipline.
- Duration: The residency lasts three months
- Remuneration: Artist receives a stipend of EUR 1,500 per month.
- Facilities: Artists are assigned an office at PDI and gain access to our labs and insights into our research through close contact with a mentor. Please note that accommodation is not provided.
- Presentation: At the conclusion of the residency, the artist will showcase their work through a public discussion and an accompanying exhibition, presentation, or performance, depending on the nature of their project. PDI is unable to guarantee dedicated funding for the final presentation, but is committed to supporting the artist in identifying and applying for relevant funding, and will draw on its network and resources to assist wherever possible.
AiR 2024
The artist selected for the Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program in 2024 was Mary Kelly, a theatre-maker, actor, and playwright who has been living and working in Berlin since 2011. With a distinguished career in theatre, TV, film, and radio, Mary has gained international recognition for her published plays Unraveling the Ribbon and Two for a Girl. In 2024, she starred in a production of Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days at the English Theatre Berlin, directed by long-time Beckett friend and associate; Walter Asmus. She also performed in Dán that year, inspired by Irish poetry at Theatre Forum Kreuzberg.
Artist's Diary
Throughout her residency, Mary documented her experiences and reflections in an online diary, shared on PDI's website and Instagram account.
AiR Diary #1
December 16th, 2024: Mary's first diary entry. Observations on her first tour of the Molecular Beam Epitaxy lab and a lecture on the fundamentals of spectroscopy. More…
AiR Diary #2
December 30th, 2024: During the Christmas break Mary was immersing herself in science and theatre collaborations throughout history. She also revisited the process and impact of her first experience with a science and theatre collaboration here in Berlin. More…
AiR Diary #3
January 27th, 2025: Mary visits PDI's Nanofab lab and familiarizes herself with the lithographic process. More…
AiR Diary #4
February 18th, 2025: Mary is having many inspiring meetings with the people of PDI and connecting the nanodots. More…
Wrap-up and next steps
Mary marked the conclusion of her residency with a special seminar at PDI featuring external guests. You can read more about the seminar here. Since the residency, we have been working with Mary on a production concept which she is currently seeking funding to realize.