Copyright: CASA, Schwettmann
During the first project phase of CASA, we explored new approaches to science communication and developed innovative projects at the intersection of science and art. The results are two exhibition pieces that convey our research in a creative way and make it accessible to a broad audience.
Under the title “DIS/PLAY,” artist Ralf Baecker has created a work of art especially for the CASA Cluster of Excellence that explores the themes of surveillance and privacy in a physical space and brings them to life in a humorous way.
About the project
The artist’s location-specific installation spreads across the research and work areas of the scientists on the ground floor and first floor of the MC building on the campus of Ruhr University Bochum. The work transforms the building into a large distributed computer and screen: bits and bytes flow through the building, and swarms of characters and numbers move through hallways and rooms. A total of 126 nodes distributed throughout the building respond to passing visitors with messages that comment on the topics of surveillance and privacy in a humorous way. At the same time, the messages are transmitted throughout the entire building and ultimately displayed on the main installation in the Open Space.
Copyright: CASA, Kramer
Copyright: CASA, Kramer
Copyright: CASA, Schwettmann
As part of the “RE:SEARCHING IT SECURITY” artist residency, we wanted to give our researchers the opportunity to explore how the two disciplines – art and science – can benefit from each other. At the same time, the goal was to create a work of art that would offer the public a fresh and unusual perspective on cybersecurity and encourage reflection.
Berlin-based media artist Marco Barotti was selected for the artistic collaboration with his APES concept. Over the course of many weeks, he met with researchers from the CASA Cluster of Excellence, the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security, and the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy, discussing their research topics and visions for the future in the areas of cybersecurity, data consumption, surveillance capitalism, disinformation, and energy demand. During these collaborative exchanges, new insights, ideas, and food for thought continually emerged, all of which shaped the artwork.
The project was carried out in collaboration with STATE.
Copyright: CASA, Kramer
Copyright: CASA
Copyright: Marco Barotti
With APES, a collection of kinetic sound sculptures was created during the artist residency: Four primates were crafted from recycled Wi-Fi sector antennas; they are attached to a 2 ½-meter-tall tower made of trusses and controlled by algorithms. Screens above their “heads” display steadily rising numbers regarding data consumption (e.g., from Google searches, sent emails, and tweets) and cybersecurity incidents. Based on the concept of surveillance capitalism and data consumption, the monkeys are programmed to move according to patterns determined by these very numbers. The sound sculptures are complemented by video interviews conducted with the participating researchers during the artist residency.
Copyright: Marco Barotti
The artwork APES is regularly featured in exhibitions where artist Marco Barotti showcases his works around the world. Past exhibitions include:
Christina Scholten
Science Communication
(0)234-32-29274
christina.scholten(at)rub.de
