//DataSpaces: CIDS exhibition showcases TUD's research on digitalization

TU Dresden's Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Sciences (CIDS) is dedicated to research in the field of digitalization. The exhibition //DataSpaces. Experience Science. gives insights into the CIDS's work. From training an artificial neural network to playing with swarm behavior, you can see and experience supercomputing at TUD in interactive exhibit modules, gain insights into historical computing and computer technology, and even have a discussion with a chatbot, just to mention a few highlights. The exhibition is flanked by a varied program of events including guided tours and workshops as well as lectures and discussions.

Data – the foundation and the challenge of our digital society

Digital transformation is shaping and characterizing our time. The foundation of this digital era is data: it serves as the basis for numerous processes – from demographic decisions to questions about energy or mobility. Research areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) are not only accelerating processes in science, but also developments in economy and society.

As the key to a profound understanding of change, science can make an essential contribution to the design of a sustainable and livable future. Science provides methods and tools for collecting data and making it usable. Transparency, safety and comprehensibility of the processes are crucial in this respect.

The CIDS is dedicated to research in these fields, and the exhibition //DataSpaces. Experience Science. gives insights into its work. The exhibition has been designed to make the Center's complex topics and the multifaceted interweaving of interdisciplinary issues and relationships understandable and tangible. One of the exhibition's focuses is on changing perspectives, allowing visitors to take a critical look at the research.

"The //DataSpaces exhibition impressively demonstrates how historical exhibits and future applications can be placed in relation to one another. Understanding data, methods and their digital and entirely concrete spaces can be done very well here right on campus. Where else can you make your own punched tape and train your own neural networks? This interactive exhibition allows you to immerse yourself in the topic of data, which is so crucial to our society," Prof. Jens Krzywinski encouraged visitors to the exhibition opening to discover the exhibits and engage with the topic.

New perspectives on complex topics

The exhibition focuses on three topics: complexity, high-performance computing, and data visualization in the form of maps. There are various exhibits where visitors to //DataSpaces can get active themselves: manipulating swarms and other complex systems, getting dressed at the magic mirror, or conversing with a chatbot.

The exhibition combines science and artistic design to make complex topics understandable and tangible. Digital visualizations open up new perspectives that allow you to see topics in the areas of data protection, data analysis, and high-performance computing from new angles.

Opening of the pilot exhibition //DataSpaces on November 14, 2024

At the opening on November 14 in the foyer of the Andreas Pfitzmann Building, around 100 visitors got a first glimpse of the exhibition and the rapid developments in data science. Partners and supporters of this special project had the opportunity to test the stations of the show, share ideas, and draw inspiration.

Opening of the pilot exhibition //DataSpaces

Program and events

The program of events accompanying the exhibition includes workshops and guided tours that allow visitors to discover and delve deeper into the content of the exhibition and are also available for groups. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to talk to the researchers about their projects.

//DataSpaces is a great resource for various school lessons, such as in computer science, mathematics, physics, art, and social studies. School classes can explore the exhibition themselves in guided tours or workshops and get involved.

Exhibition details

• When: Until February 28, 2025, Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Where: Foyer in the Andreas Pfitzmann Building, TU Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 46
• The exhibition are free of charge.
• More detailed information: https://dataspaces.cids.tu-dresden.de/

Funding and support

This pilot exhibition has been funded by the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments and support from the TUD in Dialogue program.

//DataSpaces has been curated and produced by the Interactive Science Lab at CIDS, the Junior Professorship in Immersive Media Design, the Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific and Art Collections, and the Chair of Industrial Design Engineering, with the participation and in cooperation with the Faculty of Mathematics, the Faculty of Computer Science, and the ZIH.

Contact

Robert Fischer
CIDS Interactive Science Lab
Tel.: +49 351 463-32211
Email: