Media art is here

„Due to its networked character, media art allows for decentralised locations. It can leave the museum and work its way into the urban space. The networked nature of media art is a glimpse of the networked future“, Prof. Peter Weibel, former director of ZKM I Karlsruhe (1999-2023).

Since 2019, the UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts Karlsruhe has been presenting digital, interactive and virtual art in public urban spaces, transforming the city into a stage for innovative, collaborative and networked media art that is open to all. From light art to video installations, from large-scale interactive projections to augmented reality apps, the media artworks on show address global issues such as the climate crisis, technological change and democracy in the age of social media.

For three years, from 2019 to 2021, the festival Seasons of Media Arts took place in Karlsruhe. The festival was based on a collaboration between the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Karlsruhe and the ZKM I Centre for Art and Media and was aimed at anyone interested in media art, digital culture and beyond.

In 2022, the Seasons of Media Arts format was rebranded under the title Media art is here. Since then, the annual exhibition has always taken place in summer – parallel to the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELEN. In addition to projects by local artists, collectives and initiatives, light and media artworks by internationally renowned artists are shown on streets and squares, on building façades, in parks, public facilities and shop windows. Media art is here ensures barrier-free cultural education and promotes the topic of media art in Karlsruhe and beyond.

Alongside the annual media art exhibition, special events are organised to intensify networking and exchange, such as the presentation at the international art fair art KARLSRUHE or the art event Go Public! in cooperation with the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design.