Recap:
The “Crafting Data” Symposium on Art and AI
Crafting Data © eSeL.at - Robert Puteanu
05.
February 2026
“By understanding data as something material, we open the ‘black box’ of machine
learning to artistic interventions,” said Clemens Apprich, Vice-Rector for Science, Research and Digitality,
in his opening remarks at the symposium Crafting Data: Material Practices in Art and AI, held in the auditorium of
the University of Applied Arts Vienna.
On 27 and 28 January 2026, the Angewandte explored the
materiality of data and its intersections with art as part of the symposium. Through a keynote lecture by Hito Steyerl, as
well as panels and workshops, the role of artistic practices in engaging with algorithmic bias, data representation, and the
ethics of machine learning was discussed and situated in relation to artistic, research, and teaching practices at the Angewandte.
“Just as the Wiener Werkstätten sought to integrate art into everyday life, the aim of the symposium is to highlight
how artistic practices can intervene in algorithmic and data-based systems, making them tangible, debatable, and, consequently,
accountable”, Apprich continued. Conceived as a starting point for a more in-depth engagement with current developments in
the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning from the perspective of an art university, the symposium brought
together artistic and theoretical positions.
With contributions by Diane Cescutti, Mat Dryhurst,
Kyriaki Goni, Robin Holt, Victoria Ivanova, Avery Slater and Hito Steyerl. Moderation by Daphne Dragona, Paul Feigelfeld and
Francis Hunger.
Artistic contributions:
Ilse Kind: Crouching (0,44), Covering torso
(0,52), Sad (0,23), Nudity likelihood (0,61)
Kevin Kamil Mohammed: Just one more chip sourced by colonial child
labor, and the AI gods will save us.
Film screening: Curated by Sophie Publig & Mikkel
Rørbo
S()fia Braga: The Artificial Conjuring Circle (2023) & Third Impact (2025)
Silvia Dal
Dosso: The Future Is Weird AF (trilogy) (2023–)
Mark Cinkevich: DATAS: The Data and the Sovereign (2025)
Most Dismal Swamp: Scraper (2023)
Spatial setting: Ivy Aris
