The internationally renowned composer and visual artist Esmeralda Conde Ruiz, 2022 resident artist at the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, presents the results of her artistic research on artificial intelligence as part of the festival "31. Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik” (Dresden Days of Contemporary Music) (April 19 to May 7, 2023) at HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts.

© hla

Advances in information technology represent some of the most decisive ethical challenges of our time. During Esmeralda Conde Ruiz’s 2022 residency at the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, dealing with artificial intelligence and sound led her to explore the places where personal data is stored, the vast and often hidden server farms which contain the sonic traces of our digital footprints.

© Robert Gommlich für ZIH

Institutional server farms are usually inconspicuous, industrial-looking buildings whose outer shell reveals nothing about their interior. However, their infrastructure is complex and the servers work incessantly, their smooth operation only possible with sophisticated ventilation systems maintained by dedicated staff. Our data is invisible and not physically tangible, yet at the same time the data centers buzz, hum, and groan around the clock seemingly “24/7”. As part of the „31. Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik“ (April 19 to May 7, 2023) at HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts, Conde Ruiz is now presenting a new audiovisual installation with accompanying performance entitled “24/7”.

The installation occupies the usually private subterranean orchestra pit of the Festspielhaus and centres around the relationship between humans and technology. “24/7” amplifies and draws attention to the overwhelming volume of personal data which is generated daily when we all interact online. Visitors are invited to explore the orchestra pit and physically experience the strange sounds of server farms combined with recorded human voices. On May 7 there will also be a unique live event featuring operatic singer Arturo den Hartog, the Buergerchor Dresden Philharmonie and members of the E Ensemble which will take place within the Great Hall at HELLERAU.

Find the whole programme here.