Impakt's 'Data Never Dies' Examines Digital Afterlife and the Right to Be Forgotten
The Impakt media culture center in Utrecht is showcasing 'Data Never Dies', an exhibition exploring the longevity of digital footprints after death. It begins with the case of Mario Costeja González, who in 2010 took action against Google for associating his name with a 16-year-old article about a coerced home sale, which led to the establishment of the 'right to be forgotten' (RTBF) ruling. Nevertheless, González's presence remains significant. Esther Hovers (1991) recreates his likeness, while Charmaine Poh (1990) tackles online harassment in her deepfake piece 'Good Morning Young Body' (2023). Amélie McKee (1996) and Melle Nieling (1992) depict abandoned Sims characters. Janilda Bartolomeu's video essay examines 30 million deceased Facebook users, Ruben Mols (1991) crafts sculptures from outdated media, and Kyriaki Goni (1982) reveals her search history. Additionally, the duo playField records a dialogue with a 'deadbot'.
Key facts
- Impakt, the Utrecht center for media culture, hosts the exhibition 'Data Never Dies'.
- Mario Costeja González filed a complaint against Google in 2010 over a 16-year-old newspaper article about his forced home sale.
- A court ruled in González's favor, creating a legal precedent for the 'right to be forgotten' (RTBF).
- Esther Hovers (1991) reproduces González's portrait in drawing, photograph, and code.
- Charmaine Poh (1990) created a deepfake of her 12-year-old TV character in 'Good Morning Young Body' (2023) to confront online harassment.
- Amélie McKee (1996) and Melle Nieling (1992) present abandoned Sims characters from twenty years ago.
- Janilda Bartolomeu's video essay addresses the estimated 30 million deceased Facebook users, including her father.
- Ruben Mols (1991) sculpts enlarged floppy disks and VHS tapes; Kyriaki Goni (1982) prints deleted search terms on receipt paper; playField films a 'deadbot' conversation.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Costeja González
- Esther Hovers
- Charmaine Poh
- Amélie McKee
- Melle Nieling
- Janilda Bartolomeu
- Ruben Mols
- Kyriaki Goni
- playField
Institutions
- Impakt
- Museumtijdschrift
Locations
- Utrecht
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Singapore