KW Institute's 'Poetics of Encryption' Exhibition Explores Digital Knowledge and Power Through 40+ Artists
The KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin is showcasing 'Poetics of Encryption,' an exhibition curated by Nadim Samman that delves into the influence of digital technologies on knowledge, authority, and freedom. Spanning four floors and featuring over 40 artists, the exhibition is divided into three sections: Black Site, Black Hole, and Black Box. Included are Samman's 2023 publication, a website with online commissions, and a conference. Notable works comprise Roger Hiorns's burial of a military aircraft, 'Calculating Empires' by Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler, and Nico Vascellari's video 'Vit.' Running until May 26, the exhibition alludes to Plato's cave allegory, suggesting that digital existence enforces a form of blindness, with Joler's video portraying entities like Google as 'black holes.'
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Poetics of Encryption' at KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin
- Curated by Nadim Samman, includes over 40 artists
- Divided into three chapters: Black Site, Black Hole, Black Box
- Part of larger project with 2023 book, website commissions, conference
- Features works by Roger Hiorns, Sebastian Schmieg, Kate Crawford, Vladan Joler
- Includes Nico Vascellari, Oliver Laric, Joshua Citarella, Eva and Franco Mattes
- Runs through May 26
- Explores digital technologies' role in knowledge, power, liberation
Entities
Artists
- Nadim Samman
- Roger Hiorns
- Sebastian Schmieg
- Nico Vascellari
- Kate Crawford
- Vladan Joler
- Oliver Laric
- Joshua Citarella
- Eva Mattes
- Franco Mattes
- Jon Rafman
- Jonna Kina
Institutions
- KW Institute for Contemporary Art
- Clusterduck
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Ipswich
- Italy