What is digital data and where does it go after being deleted? 9.578 FILES Files explores trashed and lost digital data and investigates our nescient naivetŽ in handling data and its storage media. By contrast it questions the possible loss of data due to digitalization and fast developing technology.
Digital data from various collected media are recovered and restored. A visual memory is created out of the forgotten and discarded data which failed to be destroyed and succeeded to survive. The interaction with trashed hard drives visualizes the ease of accessing this data and pushes it back into the real world.
Digital data from various collected media are recovered and restored. A visual memory is created out of the forgotten and discarded data which failed to be destroyed and succeeded to survive. The interaction with trashed hard drives visualizes the ease of accessing this data and pushes it back into the real world.
We collected hard drives, floppy discs and CD's and recovered the data: images, texts, all kinds of files. This data is displayed, images are formed to create personalities. Each hard drive placed in the exhibition space is equiped with a rfid tag. A soon as the drive is place in the slot the belonging data set is displayed. The project is not supposed to point the finger to anyone but make people aware of what happens to digital data after hard ware has been trashed, that it can be recycled and reused.
Exhibitions
9578 Files was exhibited at the Interface Cultures ARS Electronica Festival 2009 in Linz.9.578 files at ars electronica campus exhibition from anika hirt on Vimeo.