
Zach Blas creates works that deal with technologies of data collection, security and control and confront the political unconscious of science and technology.
In »Metric Mysticism«, the artist looks into the crystal ball of Silicon Valley and records the transformation of large amounts of data into a magical substance that predicts and monitors our future. The video focuses on the appropriation of mysticism and magic by Silicon Valley start-ups and state surveillance agencies. The crystal ball, a transparent device that allows a glimpse into the future, is a paradigm for the way tech entrepreneurs imagine algorithmically processing information.
The controversial data analysis company »Plantir« Technologies, considered the most powerful machine of espionage and surveillance, appropriates the »Palantir«, a fictional all-seeing crystal ball borrowed from Tolkien's novel »Lord of the Rings« and used by wizards. In »Palantir«, data becomes new absolutes that determine what the future is and how it is to be controlled.
But what if one were to look not into a crystal ball, but into a piece of silicon? Not transparent glass, but an opaque geological material at the core of digital technology. Contrary to the forecasts for the future, Blas asks whether a reorientation of our view can offer a way to better understand the crisis of the present?
Every Wednesday, the ZKM Karlsruhe invites you to lecture performances. As part of this, video works dealing with the city, people and the future will be shown on the LED wall of the ZKM Cube. The various works deal with technological and social structures in an artistic, speculative, poetic or even spiritual way.
Please note: In case of bad weather the event will not take place.
Accompanying program
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- Sat, September 14, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Bicycle Tour
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Thu, September 12, 20194.30 pm
- Datalab: Introduction
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Talk
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Wed, September 11, 20197 pm
- Streamed: Digitality and Responsibility
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Lecture
Vorplatz
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- Tue, September 10, 20195.30 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Sat, September 07, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Fri, September 06, 20193 pm
- The People’s Monument(s)
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Workshop
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Thu, September 05, 20192 pm
- Hands-on Activity: Many Little Wires
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Wed, September 04, 20197 pm
- Streamed: The City as Performative Object
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Lecture
Vorplatz
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- Tue, September 03, 20195.30 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Bicycle Tour
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Tue, September 03, 20195 pm
- Data Game & Ideas for Cities
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Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sun, September 01, 20194 pm
- Fine Dust Sensors and Open Data
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sun, September 01, 20192 pm
- Fine Dust Sensors and Open Data
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sat, August 31, 20192 pm
- Open Data from Space
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sat, August 31, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Bicycle Tour
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Sat, August 31, 201911 am
- Datalab: Workshop
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Fri, August 30, 20193 pm
- The People’s Monument(s)
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Workshop
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Thu, August 29, 20194.30 pm
- Datalab: Introduction
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Talk
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Wed, August 28, 20197 pm
- Streamed: City Everywhere
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Lecture
Vorplatz
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- Wed, August 28, 20193 pm
- Open Data from Space
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Tue, August 27, 20195.30 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Tue, August 27, 20195 pm
- Data Game & Ideas for Cities
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Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sun, August 25, 20194 pm
- Fine Dust Sensors and Open Data
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sun, August 25, 20192 pm
- Fine Dust Sensors and Open Data
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Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sat, August 24, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Fri, August 23, 20193 pm
- The People’s Monument(s)
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Workshop
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Thu, August 22, 20194.30 pm
- Datalab: Introduction
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Talk
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Wed, August 21, 20197 pm
- Streamed: Metric Mysticism
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Lecture
Vorplatz
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- Tue, August 20, 20195.30 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Bicycle Tour
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Tue, August 20, 20195 pm
- Data Game & Ideas for Cities
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Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sat, August 17, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Bicycle Tour
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Sat, August 17, 201911 am
- Data & Codes
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Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Fri, August 16, 20199.30 pm
- Gaming the Real World
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Film Screening
Arbeitskreis Kultur und Kommunikation (AKK), Karlsruhe
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- Fri, August 16, 20193 pm
- The People’s Monument(s)
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Workshop
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Thu, August 15, 20194.30 pm
- Datalab: Introduction
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Talk
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Wed, August 14, 20197 pm
- Streamed: Lubricate Coil Engine – Decolonial Supplication
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Lecture
Vorplatz
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- Tue, August 13, 20195.30 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Tue, August 13, 20195 pm
- Data Game & Ideas for Cities
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Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sun, August 11, 201911 am
- Securing Digital Competence into Old Age
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Lecture
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Sat, August 10, 20192 pm
- Seasons of Media Arts – Walk
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Guided Tour
Karlsruher Innenstadt
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- Sat, August 10, 201911 am
- Datalab: Workshop
-
Workshop
Friedrichsplatz, Spacecraft_ZKM
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- Fri, August 09, 20193 pm
- The People’s Monument(s)
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Workshop
Karlsruher Innenstadt