Ars Electronica
— Is it a museum, an exhibition space or an annual festival? Or is it all three? We were none the wiser after our visit!”
A chill wind blows along the Danube as we cross the Nibelungenbrücke that joins the suburb of Urfahr with the centre of Linz. On the far bank is a boxy glass building that’s home to Ars Electronica.
Even after our visit, we’re not sure what Ars Electronica is actually supposed to be. Museum, exhibition space, annual festival. It’s all three and yet none really defines the experience. Even the common denominator – electronics – is not of itself represented in either taxonomic or historical form. Better then to call it “applied electronics”.
A French television programme I happened to see a few days later during a bit of hotel TV channel flicking mentioned that 9% of 3-4 year olds could tie their shoelaces, whereas 19% of them could operate an iPad.
Covering elements of robotics, data representation and environmental concerns, Ars Electronica seems to be for kids like these, or it will be in a few years’ time when they can actually read. The museum – or whatever it is – seems to be for people without need of a proper context.
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