The omnipresence of digital tools in today’s life while the underlying functionalities and implied effects are widely unclear is subject to several current debates. As the leading curator since the start of the program in 2023, Nadim Samman has put this conflict in the focus of the art and exhibition project. On view until May 26, 2024, the public is now able to explore works from over 40 international artists at the KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin.
The Volkswagen Group is partner of the entire project and supports the realization of the group exhibition. Visitors of the exhibition are made aware of the everyday-everywhere use of digitalization before they are invited to embark on a creative journey. It leads to encrypted worlds, which are created by analogue and digital artworks. As part of the exhibition, the KW Institute of Contemporary Art launches a dedicated website that not only represents a digital exhibition catalogue but also provides access to several specially commissioned artworks and to a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Volkswagen Group Cultural Engagement adds: “We are proud to support the Digital Program of KW and the exhibition Poetics of Encryption, as we want to give people the opportunity to experience the extensive possibilities of digitalization. How do artists use new technologies, and can we learn from them? Digitalization and AI do not only transform us at Volkswagen, but shape everybody’s lives. We are excited to share this journey and exchange with KW and all artists participating in the exhibition.”
Krist Gruijthuijsen, Director of KW, says on the occasion of the exhibition opening: “KW sits at the intersection of virtual and material domains, and the creative use of emerging technologies. Exploring, criticizing, or reinventing this space through art is a key issue for the KW Digital Program. With Poetics of Encryption KW aims to introduce new perspectives on this digital landscape. Showcasing over 40 artists we seek to further stimulate conversations and reflections and to continue shaping our digitized future together:”
As part of its corporate cultural engagement work, the Volkswagen Group is partner of the KW Digital Program with its final element, the “Poetics of Encryption” group exhibition. Volkswagen had also supported previous program elements like to the development of the book “Poetics of Encryption. Art and the Technoscene” written by Nadim Samman as well as the “Poetics of Encryption” conference that took place in October 2023. This partnership deepens Volkswagen’s wide-ranging effort to empower cultural institutions and artists, and to pave the way for multi-faceted and powerful encounters between art and the people. With these collaborations, the Group wants to help that the widest possible audience is given the chance to engage with creative ideas and a fresh reflection of perspectives or opportunities. Access to these experiences is eminent to drive creativity, innovation and understanding within societies.
Exhibition: „Poetics of Encryption“
Location: KW Institute for Contemporary Art,
Auguststraße 69, 10117 Berlin
Opening hours: 17/02 – 26/05/2024, We–Mo 11 am – 7 pm, Thu 11 am – 9 pm, Tue closed
Opening of the exhibition: 16/02/2024, 7 – 10 pm
Further details: https://poeticsofencryption.kw-berlin.de