The current discourse on where humankind is heading, is increasingly dominated by the danger that environmental destruction, especially climate change, pose for the survival of our species. Global political movements gave the issue a new level of urgency by emphasizing the need for an instant ecological paradigm shift at all levels of society. There is an ongoing, controversial debate about the role technology can play in the future of humankind.

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to blockchain technology, big data and bioengineering—while optimists praise technological innovation as the key to preserving our habitat, skeptics warn about a naive hope that is fueled by an increased lack of understanding of technology. In a flood of contradictory information, it becomes harder and harder to objectively evaluate the current state of the world. Caught in a doomsday atmosphere, feelings swing between euphoria and a feeling of impotence, departure and demise, decadence and weltschmerz.

The international group exhibition features ten artists that work on the boundaries between nature and high technology and approach their multifaceted relations through photography, computer simulation, video, installations, and performances. The exhibition takes a look at our relation to planet earth and how to shape it in the future—from deconstructive critical perspectives to optimistic views towards the future or fantastic visions of the re-enchantment of nature.

Participating artists: Tega Brain (AU) & Julian Oliver (NZ) & Bengt Sjölen (SE), James Bridle (UK), Simon Denny (NZ), Anna Dumitriu (UK) & Alex May (UK), Futurefarmers (International), Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg (UK), Andreas Greiner (DE), Paul Seidler (DE) & Paul Kolling & Max Hampshire (UK), Jonas Staal (NL), und Pinar Yoldas (TR)

Key Visual: Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg Designing for the Sixth Extinction, 2013-15, © Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg

The exhibition is supported by