Art, Technology and Policy

The St. Pölten UAS dedicated an online panel discussion to the topic of “ART & TECH & POLICY” to address synergies between art, technology and diplomacy.

On this occasion, the UAS also presented the initiative APART – The Austrian Platform for Art and Tech Thinking, which promotes the intensive interaction of art and (digital) technologies.

Be it art, technology or politics – all these realms create their own parameters for digital change. Cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain & co. already transform our economy, our society and our democratic institutions fundamentally. They also put our notion of what it means to be human in the digital age to the test.

For Digital Humanism and Humanist Digitalisation

“Austria is a country characterised by a spirit of science and innovation. It is also a pioneer of media art that has evolved into a global centre of digital culture dedicated to human-centred technology and a new digital humanism”, says Martin Eichtinger, Lower Austrian Minister for Housing, Labour and International Relations, and former ambassador and Head of the Cultural Policy Section in the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. He adds that “creativity and innovation are key for the further development of Austria as a centre of knowledge. This makes the APART initiative of the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences a flagship project when it comes to the interaction of art and technology in Lower Austria”.

“What we need is a new, digital humanism – or to put it more precisely, a new and humanist digitalisation – in order to break existing barriers, reconcile human goals and the development of digital technologies, and allow citizens to participate in the public discourse on these technologies of the future. Artistic experiences and actions can contribute important impulses to this end”, explains Hannes Raffaseder, Chief Research and Innovation Officer of the St. Pölten UAS, leading coordinator of the European University E³UDRES², composer and media artist.

The panel discussion featured Lower Austrian Minister Martin Eichtinger, Clara Blume (cultural attaché and artist in the Silicon Valley and Head of the Open Austrian Art + Tech Lab), Martin Rauchberger (Austrian Tech Ambassador in San Francisco and Co-Director of Open Austria), Gerin Trautenberger (founder and owner of Microgiants Design & Research, Head of Kreativwirtschaft Austria (KAT), Board Member of the European Creative Business Network), Veronika Liebl (Director of European Projects and Managing Director FESTIVAL PRIX EXHIBITIONS at Ars Electronica Linz), and Hannes Raffaseder.

At the Interface of Art, Technology and Politics

Intensified cooperation at the interface of art, technology and politics is the key to a successful future in a green and digital age. As ambassadors of culture, artists play an important role in steering technological progress towards a positive development.

“The future is interdisciplinary. We have to overcome the silo mentality and finds forms of cooperation that live up to our global problems. This is also a direct request for policymakers who have to invest in (further) education and provide financial incentives to create the right breeding ground for collaboration between artists, humanists, technologists, scientists and politicians. This is how we make Austria fit for the future”, says Clara Blume.

New Initiative APART

The panel discussion also served as the kick-off event for the new initiative APART – the Austrian Plattform for Art and Tech Thinking – to promote intensive interaction between art and (digital) technologies. APART is a platform open to all institutions, initiatives and dedicated individuals. The objective is to move humans (back) into the focus of digital change and technological advancement.

“There are already many interesting initiatives and individuals in Austria that are committed to digital humanism and art & tech thinking. APART promotes the structured exchange of experiences and knowledge, the improved communication of good practice, stronger networks and (strategic) cooperation with the goal of generating added value for everyone involved and maximum influence”, states Franz Fidler, Head of the Department of Media & Digital Technologies at the St. Pölten UAS, who will coordinate the APART initiative together with Hannes Raffaseder.

APART is initiated and organised by the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Further founding members are Open Austria, Kreativwirtschaft Austria (KAT), and Ars Electronica. The Digital Makers Hub and the Digital Innovation Hub Ost are important cooperation partners.

• Initiative APART
• Contact: hannes.raffaseder@fhstp.ac.at

Discussion "ART & TECH & POLICY"

You can watch the recording of the event here: