Artist and researcher Manu Luksch, recipient of the 2019 Open Society Fellowship, furthered her investigations into the multiple, insidious threats to human rights and flourishing posed by the rise of algorithmically-managed societies. On March 23rd, she will share excerpts from several related pieces including a short hiphop musical, filmed interviews with activists, recordings from participatory processes, provocative writing, and a poster/zine project. ”These works continue a trajectory that began with early critiques of networks and surveillance. Throughout her work, Manu harnesses historical languages of resistance such as urban poetry, develops tools and discursive frameworks, and propose new metaphors such as the use of algorithmic image manipulation. Through various collaborations (with coders, writers, composers, performers, use of diverse cultural forms (narrative, music video, documentary) and dissemination through multiple channels (exhibitions, film festivals, TV, activism, schools), she helps raise relevant issues amongst the wider public –especially Generation Z.

and then we let the music make them dance

Manu Luksch, in collaboration with composer/mathematician Mukul Patel, will premiere a audio-visual performance working with photogrammetry and a quote from Shoshana Zuboff’s talk at CPDP2019 “As one data scientist explained to me, ‘We can engineer the context around a particular behaviour and force change that way… We are learning how to write the music, and then we let the music make them dance.”

Biographie

Through her films and art works, Manu researches the effects of emerging technologies on daily life, social relations, urban space, and political structures. Her current focus is on corporate-governmental relationships and the social effects of predictive analytics in the algorithmic city. Her work is included in the Collection de Centre Pompidou, the BFI National Archive, and the Core Collection at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences; she is a Resident Artist at Somerset House, and was formerly an Open Society Fellow and visiting Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London. Awards include ZONTA Award – 65th Kurzfilmfest Oberhausen 2019; Open Media Award 2019; Best Feature – Moscow International Documentary Film Festival 2016, Elevate Artivism award 2015, M. v. Willemer Prize by Ars Electronica Centre and City of Linz.