The hybrid workshop Collecting Data as Counter Practice took place on September 27, 2024 as part of our event series Pillars & Umbrellas.

Led by artists Ren Loren Britton and Iz Paehr from MELT, the event provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on and critically examine existing data concepts and practices. The workshop was embedded in a research line by the artist duo entitled Counting Feelings. This is about the individual discovery of forgotten and current experiences, desires and questions about data as part of our life reality with the aim of jointly developing data practices that are sensitive to discrimination. The participants worked loudly and quietly, with modeling clay, pen and paper and an open exchange in a safe space with a deliberately limited number of participants. This also encouraged a more intensive discussion of ethical issues surrounding data collection and use.

In the afternoon, we parted with a big thank you to Ren&Iz, a strengthened sense of self-efficacy in a digitalized world and a sharpened awareness of the societal responsibility that the handling of data demands of us all.