Players respond to absurd prompts by creating speculative sensing infrastructures that converge more-than-human sensory capacities with real-world sensors. Presented as an interactive board game, it explores how perception becomes outsourced, overloaded and exploited in times of panic. Part of CODE , it invites reclaiming sensible and digital agency. What happens when species like pigeons, slugs, or humans are utilized as sensors in service of an unknown algorithm?
Canary in the Coal Mine / Denisa Pubalova, Léna Defay, Lina Mittendorff - Photo: Denisa Pubalova, Léna Defay, Lina Mittendorff
Workshop
Canary in the Coal Mine
A game of absurd sensing infrastructures
Denisa Pubalova (CZ), Léna Defay (FR), Lina Mittendorff (DE)
Language //
EN
Ticket //
ONE DAY PASS, FESTIVALPASS, FESTIVALPASS+
Max. Participants //
20
Info //
No prior experience required. All materials provided. The game takes place in a seated, low-tech setting, and encourages discussion. No screens, loud sounds, or flashing lights involved. Wheelchair accessible.
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Denisa Pubalova
Denisa Pubalova (she/her) is an audiovisual artist, creative coder, and researcher working across environmental sensing, art–science collaboration, and post-anthropocentric narratives.
Credits
IMPAKT [Centre for Media Culture] (NL) is a festival and arts centre that fosters creative perspectives on media culture and critical analysis of the impact of new technologies on our society. Werktank (BE) is a production platform for media art operating at the intersection of art, science, and technology. NØ SCHOOL (FR) is an organization for emerging art, as well as design research and practices. Privacy Salon (BE) focuses on critical discussion of ethical issues arising from the introduction of new technologies in society.
Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
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