More than two decades into the new millennium, it is difficult to envision a future in which digital technologies do not play a significant role. Digital technologies frequently make a lot of promises. However, in recent years, we have seen an increasing number of artists address fundamental issues of the Digital Transformation, such as surveillance, lack of representation, and digital illiteracy. Artists have demonstrated that, while digital technologies have the potential to support processes leading to greater equality, they are frequently viewed as perpetuating and even exacerbating inequalities. This course is primarily aimed at changemakers who want to build a better digital future with the help of the arts. This course will teach you how the arts can influence technology development through art and enterprise collaborations; how the arts can assist citizens and civil society in making sense of and overcoming the challenges brought on by the Digital Transformation; and how the arts can influence the processes of regulation, policy-making, and legislation within the Digital Transformation. The course also provides insights into arts organisation, reflecting on issues of funding and community building that many engaged artists face. Building on theoretical concepts, questions about the arts and technology will be elaborated and explored through conversations with brilliant artists, makers, curators, and others working at the intersection of the arts and technology, who will generously share their knowledge and experiences with us. If you are an artist or an organisation interested in learning more about the power of the arts to influence digital transformation, this is the place to start. This course will provide you with the foundation and inspiration to begin or continue work on investigating, promoting, and facilitating more equal, inclusive, and democratic digital futures. It will provide you with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the Digital Transformation, as well as concrete ideas for how the arts can help.
Interview with Sineglossa
From the lesson
Art and enterprise
While the digital transformation has a profound impact on all aspects of society, it is often driven by enterprise. Many of the most powerful digital technologies are created and utilized by private technology companies. However, there have been critical voices from diverse backgrounds and disciplines raising concerns about the implications of digital technology development being predominantly in the hands of profit-driven businesses and primarily represented by male, Caucasian individuals.For example, artist Mirabelle Jones explores issues of intersectionality, inclusivity, and power in relation to online platforms like Wikipedia through her work. Digital culture expert Katrine K. Pedersen, in collaboration with artists, investigates the effects of digital culture and transformation on vulnerable youth and marginalized communities.Recognizing the need to address concerns such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and disinformation, as well as the broader ethical, socio-political, and environmental impacts of the digital transformation, there is a growing interest in integrating artistic and creative practices into technological development. This has led to an increase in arts-in-technology programs, ranging from artist-in-residency initiatives in private companies to creative collaborations in academic research labs. Enterprises and technology development leaders are increasingly realizing the value of artists and creative strategies in challenging underlying assumptions about the value of outputs and diversifying future project developments. Therefore, it is crucial to explore how art practices can be utilized in a business context to steer these technologies towards broader social benefits. This module focuses on three types of art and enterprise collaborations: art and technology industry collaboration, art and technology research organization collaboration, and art and civil society collaboration. Through the perspectives of artists and representatives from the business and civic sectors, you will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by such collaborations.
Taught By
Kirsti Reitan Andersen
Postdoc at CBS Sustainability
Christian Fieseler