Cyber Structures: Material Realities–Digital Experiences
For its launch in May 2024, Elektron takes you on a journey to discover the hidden face of the digital realm. A urban itinerary featuring seven artistic projects invites you to explore the underlying physical structures of the contemporary digital world.
Our daily experience of the digital realm occurs almost exclusively wirelessly. The internet and the Cloud are accessible with a click and at any time, like invisible and vaporous entities. However, in reality, they rely on a colossal infrastructure that extends tentacularly on a global scale.
Data centers, underground cables, intercontinental undersea cables, antennas, and satellites constitute this decentralized and interconnected infrastructure that operates as a network of networks. Paradoxically, its omnipresence in our lives often makes us forget the energy, political, cultural, and social implications associated with its deployment and use.
In 2024, Elektron explores this paradox through seven artistic projects presented in an itinerary of art installations. Connecting five key locations in downtown Esch-sur-Alzette, these works allow us to discover and better understand the ecological, political, and social implications of this infrastructure through art.
Presented in both outdoor and indoor spaces, the installations address key questions such as: How does the creative use of technology enable us to see the impact of human activities on the planet in novel and sensitive ways? What forms do surveillance and digital colonialism take around the world? How do the Internet and social networks contribute to the creation of communities and a collective visual memory?
These questions are explored further and linked to the specific context of Esch-sur-Alzette and the Greater Region through various meetings and workshops with Luxembourgish and international experts. This rich program aimed at the public reflects Elektron's ambition: to become the reference platform for art, technology, science, and societal issues in the Greater Region.
Featuring works by ScanLAB Projects, Ziyang Wu & Mark Ramos, Jeroen van Loon, Lucas LaRochelle, Xenorama, Corinne Vionnet, Serge Ecker, and students from the Interface Culture program at the Kunstuniversität Linz.
In collaboration with Esch Cultural Capital, Konschthal Esch, Bridderhaus, Cultures of Assembly, Lycée de Garçons Esch, University of Luxembourg, Up Foundation.
