Driving the Human – Seven Prototypes for Eco-Social Renewal
Setup with VR area and projection of a project in Indonesia
Hosted by ZKM in three parts
Sat, June 17, 2023 – Sun, November 26, 2023
Atrium 1+2, Ground Floor
Cost: Museumseintritt

As a catalyst for innovation, the collaborative and international project »Driving the Human« meets the challenges of our time. In three parts, the exhibition presents seven prototypes for sustainable coexistence that were developed within this framework.

Over a process of three years of collaboration, research and experimentation, seven prototypes for ecosocial renewal have emerged in an exchange between artists and scientists, which can now be presented for discussion in different contexts. 

Addressing the symbiosis of human and more-than-human beings in the 21st century changes our conception of what life means. In dealing with global warming, energy cycles and technological upheaval, as well as collective decision-making and novel processes of value and commodity exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration between art, science and technology is increasingly important. »Driving the Human« explores the interrelationships between humans, more-than-human beings, and the environment in terms of how all living things can survive through collaboration. 

The seven prototypes showcase viable concepts for the future that can be used to enable new ways of imagining life in the world. They suggest new ways we can interact with each other and what surrounds us, exploring how AI might mitigate rather than accelerate climate change; immerse us in new forms of community building through ancestral agricultural knowledge; use fiction as an imaginative tool for new forms of cross-species community; or create embodied connections as a means of understanding and transforming human impacts in vulnerable areas. Together, the prototypes reinforce perspectives in which collaboration and interdependence become essential, critical factors for life and survival on our planet.

Together with a comprehensive accompanying program, the prototypes invite people to explore together, to engage, and to find new ways of perceiving and accessing the world.

The exhibition will be on view in three parts:

17 June to 30 July
Non-Human Perspectives: Sharing, Shaping, Sensing Habitats

12 August to 24 September
Sharing Knowledge on Common Ground

7 October to 26 November
Speculative Ecosystems and Interspecies Collaborations

Artists Featured in the Exhibition

Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser & Paula Nerlich | alternaa (Andra Pop-Jurj & Lena Geerts Danau) | Vincent Rumahloine & Mang Dian | Akwasi Bediako Afrane | Eliana Otta | Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇) | Hyeseon Jeong & Seongmin Yuk

Open Gallery
  • »TRONS ‚R‘ US« by Akwasi Bediako Afrane
    TRONS 'R' US Akwasi Bediako Afrane
  • Here you can see the work »TRONS 'R' US«. You can see a shelf with different tiers. On them are various screens. Around the shelf are car seats, which are on the floor. Everything is illuminated in blue.
    TRONS 'R' US Akwasi Bediako Afrane Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »TRONS 'R' US«. You can see a shelf with different tiers. On them are various screens. Around the shelf are car seats, which are on the floor. Everything is illuminated in blue.
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »HUMAN-BACTERIA INTERFACES: AN EXPLORATION OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF HUMAN-MICROBIAL ECOSYSTEMS«
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich
  • Here you can see the work »Human Bacteria Interfaces«. A hand touches a blue-luminous object covered by a net.
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »Do AIs Dream of Climate Chaos« by Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇)
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇)
  • Here you can see the work »DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI«. You can see a darkened room in which there are several people. In the background are two large screens that depict animated landscapes.
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI«. You can see various books, flyers and a tablet on a desk, which is illuminated from the side.
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North« by Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Dana.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau)
  • Here you can see the work »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North«. You can see two screens on which video games are running. In front of them you can see tables with controllers to control the video games. On the right side of the photo there are seats.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North« on the left side. It is separated from the rest of the darkened room by a white curtain.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »SEDEKAH BENIH« by Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian
  • Here you can see the work »Sedekah Benih«. There are several people to see, who sit on carpets in an elongated tent. On the left and right are plants. The tent is illuminated with red light.
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Sedekah Benih«. A person holds two sticks on the hand. Attached to these sticks is a tinkered mouse.
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »The Backpack of Wings: Modern Mythology« by Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk
  • Here you can see the work »The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology«. You can see a small green object under a transparent dome. In the background are green and purple illuminated "ropes".
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology«. You can see an animated or projected 3D bird. It is sitting on a real surface.
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »VIRTUAL SANCTUARY FOR FERTILIZING MOURNING« by Eliana Otta
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta
  • Here you can see the work »Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning«. You can see a white wall with several wall recesses with round arches. Inside are pictures and objects, such as feather.
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning«. You can see a white wall with several wall recesses with round arches. Inside are pictures and objects, such as feather. There is a projection on the ceiling.
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake

Overview
  • »TRONS ‚R‘ US« by Akwasi Bediako Afrane
    TRONS 'R' US Akwasi Bediako Afrane
  • Here you can see the work »TRONS 'R' US«. You can see a shelf with different tiers. On them are various screens. Around the shelf are car seats, which are on the floor. Everything is illuminated in blue.
    TRONS 'R' US Akwasi Bediako Afrane Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »TRONS 'R' US«. You can see a shelf with different tiers. On them are various screens. Around the shelf are car seats, which are on the floor. Everything is illuminated in blue.
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »HUMAN-BACTERIA INTERFACES: AN EXPLORATION OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF HUMAN-MICROBIAL ECOSYSTEMS«
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich
  • Here you can see the work »Human Bacteria Interfaces«. A hand touches a blue-luminous object covered by a net.
    Human-Bacteria Interfaces Anne-Sofie Belling, Bea Delgado Corrales, Romy Kaiser, Paula Nerlich Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »Do AIs Dream of Climate Chaos« by Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇)
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇)
  • Here you can see the work »DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI«. You can see a darkened room in which there are several people. In the background are two large screens that depict animated landscapes.
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI«. You can see various books, flyers and a tablet on a desk, which is illuminated from the side.
    DO AIS DREAM OF CLIMATE CHAOS - SYMBIOTIC AI Xiaoyu Iris Qu (曲晓宇) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North« by Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Dana.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau)
  • Here you can see the work »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North«. You can see two screens on which video games are running. In front of them you can see tables with controllers to control the video games. On the right side of the photo there are seats.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North« on the left side. It is separated from the rest of the darkened room by a white curtain.
    Monsters and Ghosts of the Far North alternaA (Andra Pop-Jurj and Lena Geerts Danau) Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »SEDEKAH BENIH« by Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian
  • Here you can see the work »Sedekah Benih«. There are several people to see, who sit on carpets in an elongated tent. On the left and right are plants. The tent is illuminated with red light.
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Sedekah Benih«. A person holds two sticks on the hand. Attached to these sticks is a tinkered mouse.
    Sedekah Benih Vincent Rumahloine and Mang Dian Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »The Backpack of Wings: Modern Mythology« by Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk
  • Here you can see the work »The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology«. You can see a small green object under a transparent dome. In the background are green and purple illuminated "ropes".
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology«. You can see an animated or projected 3D bird. It is sitting on a real surface.
    The Backpack of Wings - Modern Mythology Hyeseon Jeong and Seongmin Yuk Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • »VIRTUAL SANCTUARY FOR FERTILIZING MOURNING« by Eliana Otta
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta
  • Here you can see the work »Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning«. You can see a white wall with several wall recesses with round arches. Inside are pictures and objects, such as feather.
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake
  • Here you can see the work »Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning«. You can see a white wall with several wall recesses with round arches. Inside are pictures and objects, such as feather. There is a projection on the ceiling.
    Virtual Sanctuary for Fertilizing Mourning Eliana Otta Silent Green Kuppelhalle © Camille Blake

Cooperation partners are the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech), Forecast Berlin, and the Karlsruhe State Academy of Design (HfG). The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection.

Imprint
Curatorial Assistant

Nina Liechti
Museum Communication
Janine Burger, Alexandra Hermann
Technical Project Management
Felix Pausch
Conservation
Leonie Roeck
Registrar
Regina Linder
Graphic design
Studio Yukiko

Organization / Institution
ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe
Cooperation

»Driving the Human« has been initiated by Forecast, and further developed in continuous conversations between Freo Majer with Jan Boelen (Atelier LUMA), Martina Schraudner (Fraunhofer Center for Responsible Research and Innovation (CeRRI)), and the curatorial team of ZKM | Karlsruhe.

acatech: Sandra Fendl, Doerthe Winter-Berke, Hannah Lecheler
Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe/BioDesign Lab: Julia Ihls, Anthea Oestreicher, Hajo Eickbusch, Jehad Othman
ZKM: Peter Weibel (1944-2023), Sarah Donderer, Philipp Ziegler

Project Coordinator: Nikola Joetze
Program Coordinator: Vera Sacchetti
Production Assistant: Sarah Lipszyc
Project Assistant: Rabea Kaczor

Accompanying program

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