Under the Cobblestone, a River!
Decoding the Colonial Algorithm and is shaped with ongoing student research. Navigating through the myriad histories crossing over, under and through Karlsruhe. Feminist practices and psycho-geography are tools for shaping
embodied routes, evidence and narratives through time and space. Investigations dig into Karlsruhe’s own history of and with colonialism.
We look at how culture is embedded in codes and how those codes are embedded in software and hardware and how this cycle repeats to reproduce cultural norms. It dives into the colonial project and how its ghosts haunt the everyday and inhabit not just the devices we use and take for granted, but the social actions we all perform, the water we drink. Which of these actions are codified within the colonial operating system? When you know the codes, you have the keys.
Experiments in testing water quality, magnet fishing and generating urban scores and active research complement readings and project development. Imagine a CSI Colonial Crimes Unit with a set of investigative practices, public engagement, and presenting evidence in experimental formats.
The CSI: Colonial Crimes Unit is conducting and investigation in Osnabrück during the European Media Art Festival (EMAF) April 2026.
Decoding the Colonial Algorithm is part of the Critical Faculties - BiPoC+ FLINTA* an Kunstakademien Research initiative.
Featured Guest: Joan Heemskerk
Related Excursions:
Students that participated in the earlier seminars are welcome to rejoin – please contact me per email - and advised to request advance research notes and material.
Depending on the level of engagement, students can receive one of two credit options: (Leistungsschein Medienkunst, Leistungsschein Fachtheorie Medienkunst).
Fridays, bi-weeklyish 11:00-15:00 and by appointment. Credits for presence, participation, presentations & project development.
Fridays: exact dates tbc
Decoding the Colonial Algorithm and is shaped with ongoing student research. Navigating through the myriad histories crossing over, under and through Karlsruhe. Feminist practices and psycho-geography are tools for shaping
embodied routes, evidence and narratives through time and space. Investigations dig into Karlsruhe’s own history of and with colonialism.
We look at how culture is embedded in codes and how those codes are embedded in software and hardware and how this cycle repeats to reproduce cultural norms. It dives into the colonial project and how its ghosts haunt the everyday and inhabit not just the devices we use and take for granted, but the social actions we all perform, the water we drink. Which of these actions are codified within the colonial operating system? When you know the codes, you have the keys.
Experiments in testing water quality, magnet fishing and generating urban scores and active research complement readings and project development. Imagine a CSI Colonial Crimes Unit with a set of investigative practices, public engagement, and presenting evidence in experimental formats.
The CSI: Colonial Crimes Unit is conducting and investigation in Osnabrück during the European Media Art Festival (EMAF) April 2026.
Decoding the Colonial Algorithm is part of the Critical Faculties - BiPoC+ FLINTA* an Kunstakademien Research initiative.
Featured Guest: Joan Heemskerk
Related Excursions:
Students that participated in the earlier seminars are welcome to rejoin – please contact me per email - and advised to request advance research notes and material.
Depending on the level of engagement, students can receive one of two credit options: (Leistungsschein Medienkunst, Leistungsschein Fachtheorie Medienkunst).
Fridays, bi-weeklyish 11:00-15:00 and by appointment. Credits for presence, participation, presentations & project development.
Fridays: exact dates tbc
- Dozent/in: Diana McCarty