Bridging the Gap: Arts of Change – Change of Arts

Bridging the Gap: Arts of Change – Change of Arts / forum n - Photo: Anna Struth

Bridging the Gap: Arts of Change – Change of Arts

Shared agencies and liveable future scenarios

forum n (AT)

Every day, we are called upon to treat the planet and our environment in a sustainable and responsible way. Facts and figures about climate change aim to inform and educate—but they also often trigger overwhelming emotions and evoke uncertain visions of the future. For meaningful progress toward sustainable development, both the facts and the emotional responses must be acknowledged. This requires creative approaches and conversations that reach beyond the boundaries of academic disciplines. How can creativity help bridge this gap? And what role do the arts play in science communication?
The exhibition presents installations and audiovisual works by artists and artist collectives as part of the inter- and transdisciplinary project Arts of Change – Change of Arts. Initiated by the association forum n in 2019, the program annually invites students from all Austrian state art universities to develop projects at the intersection of art, science, and socio-ecological transformation. Over the course of nine months, participants engage in artistic residencies and networking events across three thematic modules.
At its heart, Arts of Change explores how connecting art and science can make sustainability issues and climate challenges more tangible through creative means. The exhibited works engage with themes of escape mechanisms, shared agency, and scenarios for livable futures.

POSTCITY

  • Encaged Freedom

    Laura Ettel (AT), Katia Koohestani (IR), Sofia Gutierrez Escobar (CO), David Ristic (AT), Marieluisa Lenglachner (AT), Mehrta Shirzadian (IR), Alexandra Kraler (AT)

    Along the river Enns, abandoned clay tennis courts rest beside hydroelectric plants. The clay absorbs speed, inviting grounded movement and attunement. Energy’s freedom meets the court’s stillness; stories ripple beneath, whispering of water, memory, resistance, and quiet transformation.

  • Acoustic Shadows

    Alexandra Konstantinova (RU), Alina Rehsteiner (CH), Tobias Takats (AT), Parsa Zandi (IR)

    Acoustic Shadows explores the theme of escapism. It investigates how individuals attempt to bypass responsibility, constructing alternative realities that circle around unresolved issues: shielding ourselves from distressing sounds, what we unwillingly hear and when we consciously turn a deaf ear.

  • Failing

    Larissa Felicitas Zekl (AT)

    In this installation, the artist explores the element of failure as a creative process. A dead tree is planted repeatedly, even though it had already been uprooted. With a philosophical approach, the video installation illustrates that failure is a crucial part of every process.

  • Dive to the Danube Riverbed

    Jacob Bartmann (DE), Zekő Sebesy (HU)

    The interactive installation offers a sensory way to explore the Danube riverbed. Sounds generated from sonar data let visitors “dive” through the river via buttons. Four clay basins with water sensors influence the sound depending on the water level.

  • Echo

    Abel Kotorman (HU), Anna Häupl (AT), Anna Ryabenkaya (RU), Elisa Schober (AT), Hannah Parth (AT)

    Echo addresses the relationship between humans and the transforming natural environment. In a performative intervention, clay objects were ritually offered to the Taschachferner glacier. Visitors can explore them together with video footage of the intervention.

Credits

All rights belong to the project Arts of Change by the association forum n and the participating artists: Jacob Bartmann, Laura Ettel, Sofia Gutierrez Escobar, Anna Häupl, Alexandra Konstantinova, Abel Kotorman, Katia Koohestani, Alexandra Kraler, Marieluisa Lenglachner, Hannah Parth, Alina Rehsteiner, Anna Ryabenkaya, David Ristic, Elisa Schober, Zekő Sebesy, Mehrta Shirzadian, Tobias Takats, Parsa Zandi, Larissa Felicitas Zekl. Exhibition curated by Julia Herzog and Tereza Sykorova. Arts of Change was initated in 2019 by the association forum n, dedicated to fostering transformation at Austrian higher education institutions. The project is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, the Climate and Energy Fund and the following six state universities: University of Applied Arts Vienna, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, University of Arts Linz, and Mozarteum University Salzburg. Sponsored by Austrian National Union of Students.

Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
We are currently preparing all the information for the website and plan to put the full program online in the coming days – stay tuned!