LINZ: Who Will Turn the Tide?

Linz, where the Ars Electronica Festival is held, is an amazing city, simultaneously charming and easy to get around, either by foot, tramway, or bike; everything’s at your fingertips. It takes over the city’s beautiful urban landscape, from the Danube’s serpentine riverside paths to historic streets, vintage venues such as PostCity, to the Lentos Museum of Modern Art. Wherever you go, something is going on: a talk, a workshop, or an ad hoc gathering of artists and tech enthusiasts. At one point we encountered a makeshift rave at a tram stop. Linz balances history with innovation in a live festival setting, while the ease of movement ensures you never miss a beat.

The stars of Linz during this festival are undoubtedly the people. It connects creative minds from all over the world, and there is always someone to meet, either in an event or one of the cosy local cafes, or just during a walk through the streets, the festivalpass around your neck means endless friendships with strangers. The energy is contagious, and conversations flow smoothly from art to technology and toward social change. It is not possible not to be moved and bound by the great diversity of experiences and ideas that the festival draws in.
For us, who had the great opportunity to expose our work in that space, the experience was deeply demanding and full of rewards. The preparation of installations and artworks took long hours and intense focusing to make sure everything would be perfect. Of course, it was when the doors opened and the audiences began pouring in that it was all worth it. The meeting of people with whom the art would engage, individuals who would ask profound questions, give their views, and even question the ideas behind the work, was just incredible. Rarely will a more satisfying experience than having your works resound with others on such a deep level be felt.

The Ars Electronica Festival 2024 was that unique moment when art and technology, with innovation, merged into one world of merciless encounters between creation and critical thought. Treading the historical streets of Linz, one could feel the influence of the festival. Churches held raves, composting bins made food and fish were flying, and the city itself had turned into a vibrant canvas on which different voices and breakthrough ideas set aflame discussions of the present and future of our world. Churches held raves, composting bins made food and fish were flying.
Diving into the Ars Electronica Festival, I was pretty soon informed that Linz has an impressively wide and refreshing alternative scene. The whole city feels like an experiment in which creativity thrives and innovative ideas are at liberty to take root. Such an atmosphere provokes freedom and exploration, making people get out of their comfort zones and express themselves in numerous ways.
From underground art collectives and centres of experimental music, Linz presents an eclectic mix of artistic expression. Indeed, it would appear that the whole town is one big canvas, with street art and installations peppered here and there, inviting passersby to interact with their surroundings. This inspired atmosphere, at times electric, did not only attract artists but also managed to create an environment in which festival attendees and locals alike could mix and interact with ideas, thus creating an interesting melting pot of creativity fully representative of the spirit of this festival.
But what really set Ars Electronica apart was the sense of community and collaboration-not just a festival of artists, but a gathering of scientists, activists, entrepreneurs, and curious minds all bound together by their pursuit to imagine better futures. You could feel the energy and commitment of participants in everything from cutting-edge workshops to thought-jerking performances, from seasoned veterans down to young creators making their mark for the first time.

Those points of this festival did not derive from one single place. From the Lentos Museum of Modern Art to Johannes Kepler University, and to the intimate Marian Cathedral, this message of hope and change resounded throughout. Each performance venue promised a very different way of experiencing the festival, whether through experimental soundscapes, tactile art pieces, or discussions on AI and biotechnology ethics.
Yet, beneath all this seriousness, optimism was the underpinning. There was cause for celebration, not just in the potential of technology, but also in the humans’ ability to mould it into something positive. With Ars Electronica, from playfully interactive robotic installations to the meditative nature of sound-based art pieces, it was essentially showcasing ingenuity residing within us.
For those who were privileged enough to be able to exhibit in this space, the demands weighed heavily upon us, but the returns were deeply rewarding. The preparation of installations and artworks took long hours and concentrated concentration to get everything just right. When the doors opened and the audience started to arrive, that was well worth it. It has been great to meet people who were genuinely involved with the art, who asked intelligent questions, shared their views, and even questioned the ideas behind the work. It’s quite rare and a feeling of contentment if the work you put out touches another human being’s life.

The School of Arts in Nova Gorica has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the Ars Electronica Festival for several years, primarily due to the dedication and vision of the school board and our mentor, Robertina Šebjanič. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital art and technology has paved the way for our school’s participation in this prestigious festival, allowing us to showcase our work on an international platform. This year, we were thrilled to celebrate Robertina’s recognition with a special mention award, a testament to her influence and the calibre of work emerging from our institution.
For a couple of years now, the School of Arts has exhibited at Ars Electronica, and this year marked our second appearance in the Campus program at PostCity. Our exhibition, titled “HOPE: Who Will Turn the Tide?”, tackled pressing questions that resonate deeply in today’s world. It prompts us to reflect: Who will lead the change? When will it happen? In which direction will we move?
Hope pushes us forward, instilling the belief that change is possible and that someone will emerge to guide us toward a positive shift. Yet, we must ask ourselves: Will we wait for that person to arrive, or will we take action ourselves? The exhibition concludes with a call to action—“Look me in the eye – the time is now!”—inviting us to recognize our shared responsibility in shaping the future.
Coming as an Erasmus student, my experience in Linz during the time of Ars Electronica Festival was little short of being life-changing. As if it wasn’t enough to travel to this culturally and creatively rich city, participating in such a prestigious event just amplified everything tenfold. The festival gave me access to an incredible array of new knowledge, perspective, and inspiration that I never expected to have the opportunity to be exposed to in such a short amount of time.
Our mentors played a huge role in moulding this experience. Matching us step by step, often with exhaustive effort, they guided us through the creative process, further developing how we present ourselves and our ideas to the world. They encouraged us to mingle, collaborate, and build contacts, reminding us throughout that these networks would lead to growth as artists and thinkers. It was hard work, especially in arranging our exhibits, but through it all, the mentors were there to make sure we strove for excellence and to help us understand just how much we could achieve with dedication and teamwork.

Then came, of course, the best part: meeting the audiences. After all that hard work, seeing people engage in our projects was sort of surreal and rewarding in a certain way. Reactions, questions, and reflections of the others provided new insights into our own work and opened up new ways of considering our work. Each single conversation made me more and more inspired, and confident that considering this Erasmus journey as an added value is not just about the technical skills, but about growing as a person and connecting with the world in a new, thrilling way.
Being part of this experience at Ars Electronica has not only allowed us to engage with important themes but has also reinforced our connection with Robertina’s vision and the vibrant artistic community in Linz. This collaboration and recognition inspire us to continue exploring the intersection of art, technology, and society, ensuring that our voices are heard in the ongoing dialogue about our collective future. It was definitely the highlight of my Erasmus experience-being part of Ars Electronica was work, creativity, and-most importantly-humane relationships combined that will feed my artistic and academic journey for a long period of time.