Monuments to Peace
Internet Monument
Designer Lissa Zengerink (1989, NL) temporarily 'inhabits' the bunker of Het Nieuwe Instituut. In the exhibition space, she works on the design for a futuristic monument, based on a three-day dialogue with archivist Alfred Marks.
With her project 'Check Out These 17 Amazing Stories About Grief And Relief, What Happens Next Will Amaze You...' she asks what a future without the Internet would bring. Is it a doomsday scenario, or an idealistic world in which we change our pace and engage in more sincere relationships?
As part of her temporary residence, she invited guests in the exhibition to speculate about future scenarios. Together with three artists she developed three different scenarios that give a glimpse in this post-apocalyptic world.
Sander Manse (1991, NL) is a designer and writer. He is set to explore the potential of theoretical research and writing within the design practice. In 'Drifting away from the empty net', he wonders if it is possible for the Internet to die. And if so, what could possibly take its place? He traces the history of the web and discovers a rich, multidisciplinary world of knowledge that can still be of relevance today.
If the Internet would collapse, would we end up in total chaos, or would we be released from a golden cage? Or both, perhaps? Matthijs Pontier (1985, NL) has always been interested the impact of technology on society as a scientist. The documentary 'Alice Cares' about the results of the SELEMCA-project he was involved in won the NWO-KNAW Eureka-award for science communication. As a prominent member of the Pirate Party, he continues the ethical debate about how we can lead the integration of technology, and the Internet especially, into society in a direction that promotes human well-being. In 'The Internet: a golden cage?', he explores the effect of Internet on our society, by imagining what would happen if the Internet would collapse.
Tamira Cahana (1990, CA) is an artist living and working in New York and Montreal. She wonders if we are able to process the shock of an Internet apocalypse as a human creature. How will our network-based neuronetwork change in a world without internet? The brain and the body need to go to rehab. In her video 'H-215' she gives the viewer a glimpse in The Internet Cold Turkey Clinic, a place were nobody wants to stay for a very long time.
You can find the essays on Lissa Zengerink's desk in the exhibition. Downloadable versions are available at internet-monument.nl