Creating the future

Art, technology, and society are the fields of interest whose highly complex and lively relationships have been at the center of activities for the past forty years at Ars Electronica, which is not only a festival and a prize, but has also been a museum and laboratory since 1996. What began as an experiment in art and communal politics in 1979 in Linz, Austria, is now setting standards today. Since then Ars Electronica has become one of the best-known forums for the development of media art and the discourse concerning technological culture. Richly illustrated, with numerous texts, an extensive list of projects, and entertaining asides, this anniversary publication offers a look back at the development of the project, which has been focusing since the beginning on the future as it comes into being. Festival September 5—9, 2019 Linz Since 1979 ARS ELECTRONICA has tracked and analyzed the digital revolution and its multiple impacts. The focus has always been on processes and trends combining art, technology, and society. Results of this artistic and scientific research can be seen in the form of an annual festival in Linz, Austria, where a five-day-long program involves conferences, podium discussions, workshops, exhibitions, performances, interventions, and concerts. The festival is planned, organized, and executed in collaboration with artists and scientists from around the world. A variety of controversial futuristic themes are always the center of attention.