Who is the workshop suitable for?

The workshop is aimed at children and art-interested families. The event text does not specify a minimum age, but the offer is clearly designed as a child-friendly art format.

How much does participation cost?

The admission fee is 6 euros, including materials.

Where does the event take place?

At the Arithmeum - calculating then and now at Lennéstr. 2, 53113 Bonn.

How long does the visit last approximately?

The event is scheduled from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Is the Arithmeum accessible?

Yes, the Arithmeum is accessible. Wheelchair users can reserve a parking space by phone in advance.

Are there tours or other educational offerings?

Yes, the Arithmeum offers public tours as well as workshops and group offers. Pre-registration is required for some formats.

Color, Form, and Code: Herbin's Visual Language at the Bonn Arithmeum

Name: Auguste Herbin – Encryption with the alphabet plastique
Start: 2026-05-02T17:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-02T18:30:00+02:00
Location: Arithmeum - rechnen einst und heute

When Colors Become Signs: Auguste Herbin at the Arithmeum

On May 2, 2026, an artistic experience that uniquely combines art and mathematics will open at the Arithmeum in Bonn. The workshop Auguste Herbin – Encryption with the alphabet plastique invites participants to explore the geometric visual language of the French artist Auguste Herbin and translate it into their own forms, colors, and signs.

An Artist Between Abstraction and Order

Auguste Herbin is considered one of the pioneering figures of geometric constructive art in France. He evolved from impressionistic, fauvist, and cubist beginnings to a consistent abstract visual language. His famous alphabet plastique organizes letters, colors, shapes, and tones into a visual code that appears clear at first glance but reveals astonishing complexity upon closer inspection. The Arithmeum captures exactly this connection between structure and creativity and makes it tangible in an aesthetic experience for children and families. ([arithmeum.uni-bonn.de](https://www.arithmeum.uni-bonn.de/besucherinfo/shop/details/auguste-herbin-alphabet-plastique.html?utm_source=openai))

Art Observation as a Journey of Discovery

At the center of the workshop is the idea of transforming language into color and form. Herbin developed his set of rules for the alphabet plastique around 1942 and published it in 1949. Each letter unit can be interpreted as an interplay of geometric basic shapes and color tones. This method combines abstraction with an almost playful logic and opens up an access to modern art that is simultaneously sensual, didactic, and experimental. ([metmuseum.org](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/904838?utm_source=openai))

The Arithmeum as a Curating Venue

The Arithmeum is much more than a museum for calculating machines. It presents the history of calculating in an aesthetically designed environment, thereby providing an extraordinary setting for cultural education. The exhibition situation connects science, design, and art to a place where perception sharpens and imagination gains space. Here, Herbin's system of signs and colors gains a special brilliance. The museum has an extensive collection of historical calculating machines and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. ([arithmeum.uni-bonn.de](https://www.arithmeum.uni-bonn.de/en/arithmeum/museum.html?utm_source=openai))

Workshop, Tours, and Educational Benefits

The workshop is aimed at young art enthusiasts and makes Herbin's abstract visual language immediately comprehensible. The pedagogical approach is practice-oriented: from observation comes design, from symbols comes one's own image. This aligns with the Arithmeum's profile, offering guided tours and workshops for different target groups. Public tours are regularly held there, and special offers are available for groups and school classes. ([arithmeum.uni-bonn.de](https://www.arithmeum.uni-bonn.de/en/guided-tours/workshops0/art/herbin.html?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion: A Colorful Introduction to Abstract Art

Those who want to experience the power of geometric shapes, the precision of composition, and the poetic logic of modernity will find an ideal entry point in this Bonn workshop. Auguste Herbin – Encryption with the alphabet plastique promises not only an art-historically informed artistic experience but also a lively, playful look at the language of abstraction. A visit is worthwhile for anyone who wants to not only observe art but decode it in the best sense.