History

Art, Technology, Society

Stage and competition for media art, festival for digital music, showcase for creativity and innovation, laboratory for research and development, school of the future, and, and, and. More than 40 years after its founding, Ars Electronica is as versatile as it is unique. Its history reflects the rapid pace of the Digital Revolution – it is peppered with new ideas and great visions that went around the world, groundbreaking prototypes that opened doors to new worlds, new forms of communication that radically changed the way we live together, innovative business models that shook the foundations of the economy, and almost prophetic works by artists who pursued, commented on and posed uncomfortable questions.

<strong>1979:</strong> On September 18, 1979, the SPA 12 robot flown in from the USA gives the opening speech at the very first Ars Electronica Festival.

1979: On September 18, 1979, the SPA 12 robot flown in from the USA gives the opening speech at the very first Ars Electronica Festival.
Eröffnung der Ars Electronica 1979, Credit: Kurt Prokosch

<strong>1980</strong>: Even without his unicycle, Claude Shannon cuts a fine figure at the third World Computer Chess Championships during the Ars Electronica in Linz.

1980: Even without his unicycle, Claude Shannon cuts a fine figure at the third World Computer Chess Championships during the Ars Electronica in Linz.
3. Computerschach-Weltmeisterschaft

<strong>1980</strong>: Klaus Schulze opens the Ars Electronica with a concert from LIVE recorded sounds of the Linz steelworks VOESTALPINE.

1980: Klaus Schulze opens the Ars Electronica with a concert from LIVE recorded sounds of the Linz steelworks VOESTALPINE.
Stahlsinfonie / Klaus Schulze, Adolf Gabriel, Ferdinand Hieslmair, Walter Obermühlner, Erich Slavik, Franz Stütz, Helmuth Wagner

<strong>1982</strong>: Isao Tomita and Robert Arthur "Bob" Moog, pioneer of electronic music and inventor of the synthesizer, are guests in Linz.

1982: Isao Tomita and Robert Arthur "Bob" Moog, pioneer of electronic music and inventor of the synthesizer, are guests in Linz.
Isao Tomita (JP), Robert Moog (US), Credit: Andreas Laible

<strong>1984</strong>: Minimalism is not his thing - in a glass pyramid 30 meters above the Danube Isao Tomita controls his "universe".

1984: Minimalism is not his thing - in a glass pyramid 30 meters above the Danube Isao Tomita controls his "universe".
Das Universum / Isao Tomita (JP), Credit: Sepp Schaffler

<strong>1985</strong>: Huge silhouettes of landscapes and figures, three-dimensional light images, glittering laser fountains and "The Best Of by Pink Floyd"!

1985: Huge silhouettes of landscapes and figures, three-dimensional light images, glittering laser fountains and "The Best Of by Pink Floyd"!
Visualisierte Klangwolke 1985, Credit: Ernst Moser

<strong>1986:</strong> The "Aurora Elettronica" transforms the main square in Linz into a scenario of light, projections and electronic sound vortices.

1986: The "Aurora Elettronica" transforms the main square in Linz into a scenario of light, projections and electronic sound vortices.
Aurora Elettronica / Pina Izzi, Pier Luigi Tazzi, Giancarlo Cauteruccio, Toni Verita, Credit: Sigrid Sator

<strong>1986</strong>: "Still Life - Queen Zero" is a media fairy tale that tells of the existence of Queen Zero in an associative, non-linear way.

1986: "Still Life - Queen Zero" is a media fairy tale that tells of the existence of Queen Zero in an associative, non-linear way.
Still Life Queen Zero / Bernd Kracke (DE), Credit: Sigrid Sator

<strong>1987</strong>: "Aorta" is an imaginary confrontation between the rhythms of the human body and those of music.

1987: "Aorta" is an imaginary confrontation between the rhythms of the human body and those of music.

<strong>1987</strong>: John Lasseter and Peter Gabriel win the first Golden Nicas to be awarded at the new Prix Ars Electronica.

1987: John Lasseter and Peter Gabriel win the first Golden Nicas to be awarded at the new Prix Ars Electronica.
Prix Ars Electronica, Credit: Sigrid Sator, ORF

<strong>1988:</strong> Hubert Bognermayr

1988: Hubert Bognermayr's "Blue Chip Orchestra" is entirely dedicated to the idea of a Digital Philharmonic Orchestra.
Blue Chip Orchestra (AT)

<strong>1989</strong>: "Whirled Music" combines light, sound and form to a thrilling performance.

1989: "Whirled Music" combines light, sound and form to a thrilling performance.
Credit: Max Eastley

<strong>1990</strong>: Bill Buxton, Jeffrey Shaw, Karl Heinz Stockhausen, Marvin Minsky, Roy Ascott and Timothy Leary meet in Linz.

1990: Bill Buxton, Jeffrey Shaw, Karl Heinz Stockhausen, Marvin Minsky, Roy Ascott and Timothy Leary meet in Linz.

<strong>1991:</strong> Between Quantum Physics and Alighieri

1991: Between Quantum Physics and Alighieri's Divine Comedy - Electronic Purgatory stages interactive theatre and electroacoustic music.
Electronic Purgatory / Kristy Allik (CA), Robert Mulder (NL)

<strong>1992:</strong> Virtual Creatures and Artificial Evolution: Karl Sims shows his "Genetic Images" in Linz.

1992: Virtual Creatures and Artificial Evolution: Karl Sims shows his "Genetic Images" in Linz.
Karl Sims (US)

<strong>1992:</strong> "The human body is obsolete" says Stelarc and merges body and technology in his performances.

1992: "The human body is obsolete" says Stelarc and merges body and technology in his performances.
The Third Hand / Stelarc (AU)

<strong>1993:</strong> VR pioneer Char Davies receives an award from the Prix Ars Electronica.

1993: VR pioneer Char Davies receives an award from the Prix Ars Electronica.
Char Davies (CA)

<strong>1993:</strong> Between Art and Science: Roger Frank Malina is a physicist, astronomer and editor of Leonardo Magazine.

1993: Between Art and Science: Roger Frank Malina is a physicist, astronomer and editor of Leonardo Magazine.
Roger Frank Malina (US)

<strong>1993:</strong>"We are programmed for everything and whatever you want will be executed: We are the robots." Kraftwerk perform at Ars Electronica.

1993:"We are programmed for everything and whatever you want will be executed: We are the robots." Kraftwerk perform at Ars Electronica.
Kraftwerk (DE), Credit: Felix Nöbauer

<strong>1994:</strong> Ground-breaking ceremony: Construction work begins on the first Ars Electronica Center in 1994.

1994: Ground-breaking ceremony: Construction work begins on the first Ars Electronica Center in 1994.
Spatenstich Ars Electronica Center

<strong>1995:</strong> With "Data Bridge Checkpoint" the Stadtwerkstatt connects former soldiers of the USA and the Soviet Union stationed in Linz.

1995: With "Data Bridge Checkpoint" the Stadtwerkstatt connects former soldiers of the USA and the Soviet Union stationed in Linz.
Checkpoint 95 / Stadtwerkstatt (AT)

<strong>1995:</strong> She coined the term "Global City": Saskia Sassen speaks at the symposium "Welcome to the Wired World" in Linz.

1995: She coined the term "Global City": Saskia Sassen speaks at the symposium "Welcome to the Wired World" in Linz.

<strong>1996:</strong> The Museum of the Future is the first Ars Electronica headquarters to be open all year round.

1996: The Museum of the Future is the first Ars Electronica headquarters to be open all year round.
Ars Electronica Center 1996

<strong>1996:</strong> Joe Engelberger, father of robotics, and Richard Dawkins, biologist and author of "The Selfish Gene", guest in Linz.

1996: Joe Engelberger, father of robotics, and Richard Dawkins, biologist and author of "The Selfish Gene", guest in Linz.
Joe Engelberger (US) & Richard Dawkins (UK)

<strong>1996:</strong> "Liquid Cities" opens up the possibility of an almost weightless ramble through a purely acoustic city of the future.

1996: "Liquid Cities" opens up the possibility of an almost weightless ramble through a purely acoustic city of the future.
Liquid Cities / Michel Redolfi (FR) + Contained - Rückspiegel zur Realität / Just Merrit (AT)

<strong>1997:</strong> Fitness is everything: In a "biomechanical game show" everyone can playfully check their own form.

1997: Fitness is everything: In a "biomechanical game show" everyone can playfully check their own form.
An Evening Spent in a Hypercompetitive State of Mind / Time's up (AT), Credit: Pilo Pichler

<strong>1997:</strong> Founded the "Fluid Interfaces Group" at MIT Media Lab, was elected among the "100 people for the new century" (Newsweek), the "top 50 technological pioneers of the high-tech world" (TIME Digital) and "Global Leader for Tomorrow" (World Economic Forum). Pattie Maes at the Ars Electronica in Linz.

1997: Founded the "Fluid Interfaces Group" at MIT Media Lab, was elected among the "100 people for the new century" (Newsweek), the "top 50 technological pioneers of the high-tech world" (TIME Digital) and "Global Leader for Tomorrow" (World Economic Forum). Pattie Maes at the Ars Electronica in Linz.
Pattie Maes (BE)

<strong>1998:</strong> Information, Power, War. Peter Arnett, one of the world

1998: Information, Power, War. Peter Arnett, one of the world's best-known war correspondents, at Ars Electronica in Linz.
Peter Arnett (US), Credit: Sabine Starmayr

<strong>1998:</strong> At the Prix Ars Electronica, the works of children and young people under the age of 19 will also be honored for the first time.

1998: At the Prix Ars Electronica, the works of children and young people under the age of 19 will also be honored for the first time.
Preis für u19 Cybergeneration, Credit: Sabine Starmaryr

<strong>1999:</strong> The Ars Electronica Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary; with lots of people travelling away.

1999: The Ars Electronica Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary; with lots of people travelling away.
20 Jahre Ars Electronica Festival, Credit: Johannes Wegerbauer

<strong>2000:</strong> In the Subcity the Linz artist collective Time

2000: In the Subcity the Linz artist collective Time's Up stages "Body Spin".
Body Spin / Time’s Up

<strong>2001:</strong> You wish, we play! The Brain Bar recognizes the mental condition of the guests and serves the corresponding drink.

2001: You wish, we play! The Brain Bar recognizes the mental condition of the guests and serves the corresponding drink.
Brain Bar

<strong>2001:</strong> Fish & Chips asks for creativity and artificiality. The neuronal activities of artificially cultivated fish cells are transformed into sounds and images.

2001: Fish & Chips asks for creativity and artificiality. The neuronal activities of artificially cultivated fish cells are transformed into sounds and images.
Fish & Chips / SymbioticA Research Group

<strong>2002:</strong> "Body Movies" projects huge silhouettes and portraits onto a screen the size of a house.

2002: "Body Movies" projects huge silhouettes and portraits onto a screen the size of a house.
Body Movies / Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (MX/CA)

<strong>2002:</strong> Faust in Times of Digitalization: The Performance of the Japanese Media Drive Unit 66b/cell.

2002: Faust in Times of Digitalization: The Performance of the Japanese Media Drive Unit 66b/cell.
Faust II Hybrid Version / 66b/cell (JP)

<strong>2002:</strong> With "Test Patches" the artist becomes a living interface between viewer and installation.

2002: With "Test Patches" the artist becomes a living interface between viewer and installation.
Test Patches / 66b/cell (JP)

<strong>2003:</strong> An oversized computer keyboard as a climbing wall on the facade of the Linz Art University. This is the "Teleklettergarten".

2003: An oversized computer keyboard as a climbing wall on the facade of the Linz Art University. This is the "Teleklettergarten".
Teleklettergarten / Gruppe F.O.K. (CH)

<strong>2004:</strong> Apparition is an extraordinary dance and media performance in which the dancers interact with the music and images.

2004: Apparition is an extraordinary dance and media performance in which the dancers interact with the music and images.
Apparition / Klaus Obermair (AT), Credit: Pascal Maresch

<strong>2004:</strong> New ways of staging: stereoscopic projections turn the concert hall into a huge panorama of colours and forms.

2004: New ways of staging: stereoscopic projections turn the concert hall into a huge panorama of colours and forms.
Das Rheingold -Visionized, Credit: rubra

<strong>2004:</strong> Jimmy Wales was awarded the Golden Nica of the Prix Ars Electronica for the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which he co-founded.

2004: Jimmy Wales was awarded the Golden Nica of the Prix Ars Electronica for the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which he co-founded.
Jimmy Wales (US), Credit: rubra

<strong>2004:</strong> Digital spaces open up new forms of communication, which can also be experienced sensorially with "Listening Post".

2004: Digital spaces open up new forms of communication, which can also be experienced sensorially with "Listening Post".
Listening Post / Mark Hansen (US), Ben Rubin (US), Credit: rubra

<strong>2005:</strong> Between Orient and Occident: Mercan Dede celebrates the state of intoxication with "Secret Tribe".

2005: Between Orient and Occident: Mercan Dede celebrates the state of intoxication with "Secret Tribe".
Ars Electronica Gala - Mercan Dede (TR)

<strong>2005:</strong> She influenced composers like Rhys Chatham and Thurston Moore - Maryanne Amacher receives the Golden Nica of the Prix Ars Electronica.

2005: She influenced composers like Rhys Chatham and Thurston Moore - Maryanne Amacher receives the Golden Nica of the Prix Ars Electronica.
Maryanne Amacher (US), Credit: rubra

<strong>2006:</strong> A country trip in search of simplicity - the Ars Electronica Festival is making an excursion to St. Florian Abbey.

2006: A country trip in search of simplicity - the Ars Electronica Festival is making an excursion to St. Florian Abbey.
Going to the Country, Credit: rubra

<strong>2006:</strong> "Some Sounds and Some Fury". Acoustic instruments meet electronic and digital sound worlds at the Great Concert Night.

2006: "Some Sounds and Some Fury". Acoustic instruments meet electronic and digital sound worlds at the Great Concert Night.
Große Konzertnacht 2006: Some Sounds and Some Fury, Credit: rubra

<strong>2007:</strong> "Bleu Remix" is an impressive live performance in which Yann Marussich artists remain motionless for hours, while blue liquid emerges from his mouth, nose and the pores of his skin.

2007: "Bleu Remix" is an impressive live performance in which Yann Marussich artists remain motionless for hours, while blue liquid emerges from his mouth, nose and the pores of his skin.
Bleu Remix / Yann Marussich (CH), Credit: rubra

<strong>2007:</strong> All of Linz. 4400 high-resolution photos of the Linz city area are taken from the air - while the citizens arrange their messages and statements on the ground.

2007: All of Linz. 4400 high-resolution photos of the Linz city area are taken from the air - while the citizens arrange their messages and statements on the ground.
Ganz Linz, Credit: Stadt Linz, Pertlwieser

<strong>2007:</strong> Construction Site of the Future: The ground-breaking ceremony for the new Ars Electronica Center will take place on March 1, 2007.

2007: Construction Site of the Future: The ground-breaking ceremony for the new Ars Electronica Center will take place on March 1, 2007.
Spatenstich neues Ars Electronica Center, Credit: rubra

<strong>2008:</strong> Construction progress: By the end of the year, the Ars Electronica Center will be expanded to 6500 square meters.

2008: Construction progress: By the end of the year, the Ars Electronica Center will be expanded to 6500 square meters.
Baufortschritt Ars Electronica Center, Credit: Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2008:</strong> Construction progress: The Ars Electronica Futurelab is also getting a fixed place right next door.

2008: Construction progress: The Ars Electronica Futurelab is also getting a fixed place right next door.
Baufortschritt Ars Electronica Center, Credit: Pertlwieser / Stadt Linz

<strong>2008:</strong> Big names meet contemporary innovators: Pamela Z contributes excerpts from her "The Pendulum" to the Great Concert Night.

2008: Big names meet contemporary innovators: Pamela Z contributes excerpts from her "The Pendulum" to the Great Concert Night.
Große Konzertnacht 2008: Sonorous Embodiment , Credit: rubra

<strong>2009:</strong> "80+1": Inspired by Jules Verne

2009: "80+1": Inspired by Jules Verne's classics, Ars Electronica, voestalpine and Linz09 are sending Linz on a virtual journey around the world.
Basislager 80+1, Credit: Dietmar Tollerian

<strong>2009:</strong> Julian Assange receives an Award of Distinction in the "Digital Communities" category of the Prix Ars Electronica for Wikileaks.

2009: Julian Assange receives an Award of Distinction in the "Digital Communities" category of the Prix Ars Electronica for Wikileaks.
Julian Assange (AU), Credit: rubra

<strong>2009:</strong> The opening of the new Ars Electronica Center heralds the European Capital of Culture year "Linz09.

2009: The opening of the new Ars Electronica Center heralds the European Capital of Culture year "Linz09.
Neues Ars Electronica Center, Credit: Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2009:</strong> The rush is great: 12,500 visitors flocked to the new Museum of the Future during the first three days alone.

2009: The rush is great: 12,500 visitors flocked to the new Museum of the Future during the first three days alone.

<strong>2009:</strong> Between a sterile consumer society and the hope of immortality, Lawrence Malstaff floats in a PVC cocoon.

2009: Between a sterile consumer society and the hope of immortality, Lawrence Malstaff floats in a PVC cocoon.
Shrink / Lawrence Malstaf (BE), Credit: rubra

2010: Honda's ASIMO is the humanoid robot par excellence. In the Deep Space of the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, the machine meets the human being.
Asimo im Deep Space, Credit: rubra

<strong>2010:</strong> At the Gala of the Prix Ars Electronica ASIMO presents the Golden Nicas.

2010: At the Gala of the Prix Ars Electronica ASIMO presents the Golden Nicas.
Asimo bei der Ars Electronica Gala, Credit: rubra

<strong>2010:</strong> A water basin and the interference of 7.8 Hertz are enough for Pétursson to stage the heartbeat of the earth.

2010: A water basin and the interference of 7.8 Hertz are enough for Pétursson to stage the heartbeat of the earth.
Earth / Finnbogi Pétursson (IS), Credit: rubra

<strong>2010:</strong> In the "Tschickbude": Ars Electronica 2010 will be playing at a very special location with the factory premises of the former tobacco factory in Linz.

2010: In the "Tschickbude": Ars Electronica 2010 will be playing at a very special location with the factory premises of the former tobacco factory in Linz.
Tabakfabrik, Credit: rubra

<strong>2010:</strong> "Frozen Music": The opening event of Ars Electronica stages architecture as silent, frozen or frozen music.

2010: "Frozen Music": The opening event of Ars Electronica stages architecture as silent, frozen or frozen music.
Eröffnungsevent Frozen Music, Credit: rubra

<strong>2011:</strong> Fireballs, lightning, music and dance - the Tesla Orchestra (US) stands for big and spectacular circus.

2011: Fireballs, lightning, music and dance - the Tesla Orchestra (US) stands for big and spectacular circus.
Tesla Orchestra (US), Credit: Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2011:</strong> How it all begins: Together with CERN, Ars Electronica is dedicated to the fascinating world of cutting-edge and basic research.

2011: How it all begins: Together with CERN, Ars Electronica is dedicated to the fascinating world of cutting-edge and basic research.
CERN - Compact Muon Solenoid Detector, Credit: Michael Hoch

<strong>2011:</strong> Leading theoretical physicist, expert in particle physics, string theory and cosmology - Lisa Randall pays tribute to Linz.

2011: Leading theoretical physicist, expert in particle physics, string theory and cosmology - Lisa Randall pays tribute to Linz.
Lisa Randall (US), Credit: rubra

<strong>2011:</strong> Also a guest in Linz: Michael Doser from the Physics Department at CERN, where he investigates antimatter.

2011: Also a guest in Linz: Michael Doser from the Physics Department at CERN, where he investigates antimatter.
Michael Doser (AT), Credit: rubra

<strong>2012:</strong> He initiated the Personal Genome Project - molecular biologist George M. Church at Ars Electronica in Linz.

2012: He initiated the Personal Genome Project - molecular biologist George M. Church at Ars Electronica in Linz.
George M. Church (SE), Credit: rubra

<strong>2012:</strong> Thousands of illuminated letters, singing flashes and the world

2012: Thousands of illuminated letters, singing flashes and the world's first autonomous (illuminated) swarm of drones - this is the "cloud in the net".
Klangwolken ABC Parade, Credit: rubra

<strong>2013:</strong> "Dancing with a robot face to face is like looking at my face in the mirror." Says Huang Yi.

2013: "Dancing with a robot face to face is like looking at my face in the mirror." Says Huang Yi.
Huang Yi (TW) & KUKA, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2013:</strong> "The Blind Robot" scans his counterpart and creates an image of what his fingers "saw".

2013: "The Blind Robot" scans his counterpart and creates an image of what his fingers "saw".
The Blind Robot / Louis Philippe Demers (CA/DE/SG), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2014:</strong> We, who know everything, still feel lost: "Buddha on the Beach" is dedicated to people in the digital age.

2014: We, who know everything, still feel lost: "Buddha on the Beach" is dedicated to people in the digital age.
Buddha on the Beach, Credit: tom mesic

<strong>2014:</strong> Innovations and alternatives: As part of ITU Telecom World, Ars Electronica is showing the "The Lab" exhibition.

2014: Innovations and alternatives: As part of ITU Telecom World, Ars Electronica is showing the "The Lab" exhibition.
ITU Telecom World in Doha, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2014:</strong> This time the festival conquers a shopping mall, a school, a hotel, a financial institution, a cathedral, shopping streets and restaurants.

2014: This time the festival conquers a shopping mall, a school, a hotel, a financial institution, a cathedral, shopping streets and restaurants.
Lip Dub beim Ars Electronica Festival 2014, Credit: Martin Hieslmair

<strong>2014:</strong> Artist, theorist and visionary thinker: Ars Electronica honors Roy Ascott as Visionary Pioneer of Media Art.

2014: Artist, theorist and visionary thinker: Ars Electronica honors Roy Ascott as Visionary Pioneer of Media Art.
Roy Ascott (UK), Credit: tom mesic

<strong>2015:</strong> For the first time, the spectacular Gleishalle is the venue of the Great Concert Night of Ars Electronica and the Bruckner Orchestra Linz.

2015: For the first time, the spectacular Gleishalle is the venue of the Great Concert Night of Ars Electronica and the Bruckner Orchestra Linz.
Music on the Move: Große Konzertnacht 2015, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2015:</strong> Deep Space gets 8K!

2015: Deep Space gets 8K!
Deep Space 8K, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2015:</strong> World record: With "Drone 100", Intel and the Ars Electronica Futurelab are lifting off the world

2015: World record: With "Drone 100", Intel and the Ars Electronica Futurelab are lifting off the world's largest autonomous swarm of drones.
Drone 100, Credit: Intel

<strong>2015:</strong> Jeffrey Shaw receives the Golden Nica for Visionary Pioneer of Media Art.

2015: Jeffrey Shaw receives the Golden Nica for Visionary Pioneer of Media Art.
Jeffrey Shaw (AU) – Visionary Pioneer of Media Art, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2015:</strong> First round trip on European soil: Daimler

2015: First round trip on European soil: Daimler's concept car, the "Mercedes-Benz F 015", stops in Linz.
Mercedes-Benz F 015, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2015:</strong> Cult: the Postrutschen. Ars Electronica moves into POSTCITY.

2015: Cult: the Postrutschen. Ars Electronica moves into POSTCITY.
Postrutschen in der POSTCITY, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2016:</strong> Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen is the first winner of the European Commission

2016: Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen is the first winner of the European Commission's STARTS Prize.
STARTS Prize , Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2016:</strong> The "HUMAN FACTOR" is the focus of a major show that Ars Electronica is showing at the Volkswagen Group

2016: The "HUMAN FACTOR" is the focus of a major show that Ars Electronica is showing at the Volkswagen Group's DRIVE in Berlin.
Human Factor – Ars Electronica in Berlin, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2016:</strong> How it is to be a cyborg: "Inferno" opens the possibility to slip into the role of a robot.

2016: How it is to be a cyborg: "Inferno" opens the possibility to slip into the role of a robot.
Inferno / Louis-Philippe Demers (CA), Bill Vorn (CA), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2016:</strong> Der Roboter als Künstlergeselle: Angeschnallt an einen Kuka K210+DI schafft Dragan Ilić großformatige Bilder.

2016: Der Roboter als Künstlergeselle: Angeschnallt an einen Kuka K210+DI schafft Dragan Ilić großformatige Bilder.
Roboaction(s) A1 K1 / Dragan Ilić (SR/US), Credit: vog.photo

2017: Daniel Rozin's 450 motor-powered plush penguins are part of the large Ars Electronica exhibition at Volkswagen's Berlin DRIVE.
Ars Electronica in Berlin - Penguins Mirror / Daniel Rozin (IL/US), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2017:</strong> An extraordinary concert: Maki Namekawa plays all 20 Etudes by Philip Glass, Cori O-Lan contributed the real-time visualizations.

2017: An extraordinary concert: Maki Namekawa plays all 20 Etudes by Philip Glass, Cori O-Lan contributed the real-time visualizations.
20 Etudes for Piano / Maki Namekawa (JP/AT), Credit: tom mesic

<strong>2017:</strong> "Singularity" combines data, dance, music and architecture in a haptic-digital 360-degree environment.

2017: "Singularity" combines data, dance, music and architecture in a haptic-digital 360-degree environment.
Singularity / Uwe Rieger (DE), Carol Brown (NZ), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2017:</strong> "Regenerative Reliquary": Amy Karle uses the intelligence of human stem cells.

2017: "Regenerative Reliquary": Amy Karle uses the intelligence of human stem cells.
Regenerative Reliquary / Amy Karle (US), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2018:</strong> ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS: Artist and musician Ei Wada gives new life to decommissioned consumer electronics!

2018: ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS: Artist and musician Ei Wada gives new life to decommissioned consumer electronics!
ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS! / Ei Wada (JP) + Nicos Orchest-Lab (JP), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2018:</strong> "ArchaeaBot" or what does "life" mean in the era of post-singularity?

2018: "ArchaeaBot" or what does "life" mean in the era of post-singularity?
ArchaeaBot / Anna Dumitriu (GB), Alex May (GB), Credit: Vanessa Graf

<strong>2018:</strong> Exceptional LIVE performance: Chicks on Speed stand for willingness to take risks and to experiment.

2018: Exceptional LIVE performance: Chicks on Speed stand for willingness to take risks and to experiment.
Chicks on Speed / Alexandra Murray-Leslie (AU/ES), Melissa E. Logan (DE/US), vog.photo

<strong>2019:</strong> The Simulative Emotional Expression Robot, SEER for short, can make eye contact and mirror our facial expressions.

2019: The Simulative Emotional Expression Robot, SEER for short, can make eye contact and mirror our facial expressions.
SEER: Simulative Emotional Expression Robot / Takayuki Todo (JP), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2019:</strong> AI to touch. In the Machine Learning Studio self-propelled cars are trained and robots with face recognition are programmed.

2019: AI to touch. In the Machine Learning Studio self-propelled cars are trained and robots with face recognition are programmed.
Machine Learning Studio, Credit: Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2019:</strong> Man or machine - who pulls the strings? In the age of machine learning, this question is often not so easy to answer.

2019: Man or machine - who pulls the strings? In the age of machine learning, this question is often not so easy to answer.
pinocchio / Creative Robotics, Ars Electronica Futurelab. Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2019:</strong> Design real objects, digitize them and bring them to life via AI. The "Animaker" playfully stages cross reality.

2019: Design real objects, digitize them and bring them to life via AI. The "Animaker" playfully stages cross reality.
Animaker / Resonai, OMAi, Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2019:</strong> "Mahler-Unfinished - Music meets AI": With MuseNet Ali Nikrang completely reworks the viola theme of Mahler

2019: "Mahler-Unfinished - Music meets AI": With MuseNet Ali Nikrang completely reworks the viola theme of Mahler's 10th.
Große Konzertnacht – Mahler Unfinished, Credit: Jürgen Grünwald

<strong>2019:</strong> "human (un)limited"? In Beijing, Seoul and Moscow, Ars Electronica and Hyundai Motorstudio ask about human limits.

2019: "human (un)limited"? In Beijing, Seoul and Moscow, Ars Electronica and Hyundai Motorstudio ask about human limits.
Internet of Everything: All Connections / Shaun Hu (CN), Credit: Hyundai Motorstudio

<strong>2020:</strong> Ars Electronica Home Delivery keeps us in touch with our visitors despite the pandemic.

2020: Ars Electronica Home Delivery keeps us in touch with our visitors despite the pandemic.
Uniview / ZEISS, Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2020:</strong> Projects at the interface of art and science at the Ars Electronica Festival.

2020: Projects at the interface of art and science at the Ars Electronica Festival.
The Transparency of Randomness / Mathias Gartner (AT), Vera Tolazzi (AT), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2020:</strong> Pianist Maki Namekawa in Deep Space 8K, accompanied by visuals by Cori O

2020: Pianist Maki Namekawa in Deep Space 8K, accompanied by visuals by Cori O'Lan.
Pianographique / Maki Namekawa (JP/AT), Cori O'Lan (AT), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2020:</strong> The first Ars Electronica Festival on the campus of Johannes Kepler University.

2020: The first Ars Electronica Festival on the campus of Johannes Kepler University.
The Pangolin Scales / Thomas Faseth (AT), Harald Pretl (AT), Christoph Guger (AT), Anouk Wipprecht (NL), Credit: tom mesic

<strong>2021:</strong> Ars Electronica Home Delivery continues its live broadcasts from the Ars Electronica Center

2021: Ars Electronica Home Delivery continues its live broadcasts from the Ars Electronica Center's Deep Space 8K in the second pandemic year.
The Great Pyramid in 3D, From the BBC Series Ancient Invisible Cities / BBC Studios (UK), ScanLab Projects (UK), Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2021:</strong> The Ars Electronica Festival presents itself as a dual event - with exhibitions, concerts, talks, conferences, workshops, guided tours and other online activites.

2021: The Ars Electronica Festival presents itself as a dual event - with exhibitions, concerts, talks, conferences, workshops, guided tours and other online activites.
Arena / Ugo Dehaes (BE), Credit: Gregor Tatschl

<strong>2021:</strong> The CyberArts exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival features the year

2021: The CyberArts exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival features the year's best media artworks.
Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2021:</strong> One of many projects of the Ars Electronica Futurelab: The nativity figures of the Mariendom Linz were digitized together with the project partner Digitlithic.

2021: One of many projects of the Ars Electronica Futurelab: The nativity figures of the Mariendom Linz were digitized together with the project partner Digitlithic.
Virtual Crib / Ars Electronica Futurelab, Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2022:</strong> The Deep Space EVOLUTION brings new laser projectors, a new tracking system, new graphics hardware and a suite of new interactive programs.

2022: The Deep Space EVOLUTION brings new laser projectors, a new tracking system, new graphics hardware and a suite of new interactive programs.
Uniview / ZEISS, Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2022:</strong> E-vehicle or public transport? The Ars Electronica Futurelab application makes it possible to track the effects from today into the future in a virtual environment.

2022: E-vehicle or public transport? The Ars Electronica Futurelab application makes it possible to track the effects from today into the future in a virtual environment.
Welcome to Planet B / Ars Electronica Futurelab, Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl

<strong>2022:</strong> The Cathedral of St. Mary was one of the venues for the Ars Electronica Festival in the center of Linz.

2022: The Cathedral of St. Mary was one of the venues for the Ars Electronica Festival in the center of Linz.
Ars Electronica LightSense / Uwe Rieger (DE/NZ), Yinan Liu (NZ), Tharindu Kaluarachchi (LK), Amit Barde (IN), Credit: vog.photo

<strong>2022:</strong> Interactive Art + is one of the categories of the Prix Ars Electronica media art competition that has been held annually since 1987.

2022: Interactive Art + is one of the categories of the Prix Ars Electronica media art competition that has been held annually since 1987.
The Eternal Return, pre-Hispanic Interactions / Cristhian Avila (PE), Credit: tom mesic

Ars Electronica. Since 1979.

Established in 1979, Ars Electronica's philosophy is more relevant today than ever before. The reason for this is as simple as it is ingenious: we see digitization not as a technological development, but as a social development. Whatever technology the respective Game Changer was, is or will be, it is up to us as a society to constantly demand, negotiate and enforce new framework conditions and rules for our changing world. The fact that Ars Electronica has developed so successfully over the years underscores the timeless necessity of this approach and attitude.

Creating the Future

A Brief History of Ars Electronica 1979-2019

2019 Ars Electronica celebrated its 40th anniversary. With "CREATING THE FUTURE", Andreas J. Hirsch tells on 320 pages how an idea became one of the world's most important platforms for art, technology and society. It is the story of a vision that has been driven forward over decades by different people with passion, imagination and consistency. "The theme of the 'future' runs through the entire history of Ars Electronica," says Andreas J. Hirsch. "From the outset, the focus was not on a naive euphoria about the future or an enthusiasm for technology, but on a critical approach, a look at the social effects of technology. 'Creating the Future' therefore contains something like an 'exit from self-culpable immaturity'. This self-empowerment characterizes the core idea of Ars Electronica - a very enlightening thought that is highly topical."
Learn more in "CREATING THE FUTURE"!
Andreas J. Hirsch, Hatje Cantz 2019.

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Ars Electronica Archive

More than 75,000 ideas, projects and artworks are stored in the Ars Electronica Archive. It is the world's most comprehensive documentation of the history of media art - and the cultural legacy of our time.

Online Archive

INSPIRED IN LINZ

Art, Technology, Society

Ars Electronica. Since 1979.

Creating the Future

Ars Electronica Archive

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