Bit by Bit: The Restoration of Digital Artworks

On July 31, 2025, the ZKM | Center for Art and Media invites you to a fascinating insight into the world of digital art restoration. The event »Bit by Bit: The Restoration of Digital Artworks« addresses the unique challenges of preserving digital artworks and demonstrates how the ZKM, with its  unique expertise, ensures that these fragile works are preserved for future generations.

Digital art has become indispensable in contemporary culture – yet its preservation poses enormous challenges for museums. Hardware ages rapidly, storage media are susceptible to "bit rot," and software standards change at a breathtaking pace. What runs smoothly today may be unreadable tomorrow. Over decades, the ZKM has built up unique expertise in the restoration of digital art and now offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of this usually hidden work.

Digital art conservators Morgan Stricot and Matthieu Vlaminck, together with Sarah Donata Schneider (Collection Officer) and Margit Rosen (Head of the Department Wissen), will present their fascinating practice through presentations and discussions. They will report from the Digital Conservation Lab and explain innovative strategies for preserving digital artworks.

The event takes place within the framework of the ZKM's project partnership with the Wüstenrot Foundation for the restoration of media art and accompanies the current exhibition »The Story That Never Ends.«