Data Critters – Tracing our digital actions through modern scribes
Data Critters are custom-built mechanical plotters connected to live data feeds from the platforms they map. They trace paths across paper as data is generated, producing an ever-growing, never-finished map of online human activity.
IED Master of Arts in Interaction Design: shaping emerging technologies for products and services
IED Master of Arts in Interaction Design focuses on training designers who can shape and manage interaction ecosystems where physical and digital dimensions converge.
In A Minute – The rhythm of our global impact
The keys in the front door, the scribbling of a pencil, the bubbling of the coffee pot. These elements of our everyday soundtrack hold meaning for all of us, so we programmed these familiar objects to move to the rhythm of our global impact.
Uncoded Gestures – Tracing the echos of the past
Uncoded Gestures is an installation that traces cultural memory through posture. By mapping live silhouettes to archival photos, it reveals how modern bodies echo the past, turning everyday gestures into a dialogue across time.
Partition – You look through a wall, the wall looks through you
Partition is a pen plotter that draws at the speed of your heartbeat, sensed through a gallery wall without your consent.
Beyond the Screen – How algorithms look back at us
Beyond the Screen is an immersive installation that explores how algorithms look right back at us - exposing, in real time, how machine vision perceives and interprets human behaviour.
Material Interactions – A New Species of Design
In a debut collaboration, a series of five material-driven kinetic sculptures by designers Nadya Suvorova and Heidi Jalkh don’t just move: they respond, proving that "passive matter" is anything but.
Forever Frequencies – Joint symphony of sound and reminiscence
Forever Frequencies is an installation that computes a personal melody from a visitor's memory, using their own past and imagined future as the raw material for a one-of-a-kind musical composition.
Helical Echo – A modular, evolving object
The Helical Echo is a sculptural totem created for CultHoldings. Like the abstracted DNA forms it displays, the sculpture itself is designed to evolve, to be upgraded and reshaped.
V6 Development Log (03/2026)
Activity gets a major update: LiveURLs let you embed p5.js, video, audio and more directly in posts. Custom Themes let you personalise CAN. API v2.3 and iOS v1.5.1 add Analytics and Channels.
Paramnésico by Desilence at Load Gallery
Load gallery celebrates its second birthday with a solo exhibition Paramnésico by Desilence, pioneers of visual scenography and real-time motion video.
Scruple – A Chrome extension that replaces moral hesitation with computation
Scruple reads your Gmail, runs four ethical frameworks in parallel, and writes the replies — simulating compassion, automating principle, outsourcing guilt.
V6 Development Log (02/2026)
February’s push debuts CAN API (v2.1) and our iOS App (v1.3.1). Members can now participate in Activity directly via mobile, or build their own micro-apps using the API.
Featured
Quantum Creative Challenge
Qollab, an emerging community effort dedicated to making quantum computing more accessible, are backing a small number of projects with a monetary grant, IonQ compute credits, hands-on support, and a spotlight for your work.
Max Cooper – Royal Albert Hall
Max Cooper is bringing his distinctive style of combining intricate electronic musical compositions with complex audio-visual displays to London's Royal Albert Hall.
SEQUENCE Fest
Sequencefest is an exhibition of animated works by James Merrill, Nat Sarkissian, Nima Nabavi, and Bre Pettis. The show brings together four distinct voices in generative and motion-based art, exploring plotted movement, digital animation, and screen-based storytelling within a physical gallery environment. Animations will be shown on screens throughout the...
OFFF 2026
OFFF returns this year with a renewed focus on how culture is being shaped, challenged, and redefined. The festival brings together a global community of 4,000+ creatives to explore ideas beyond disciplines, formats, and comfort zones.
NOX: Confessions of a Machine
NOX: Confessions of a Machine is a site-specific solo exhibition by Lawrence Lek bringing together two interconnected works: NOX and Guanyin: Confessions of a Former Carebot, and inviting us to imagine a near future shaped by intelligent infrastructure and autonomous systems.
Topics
algorithmAlgorithm is a finite sequence of rigorous instructions, typically used to solve a class of specific problems or to perform a computation – Wikipedia.
83
artificial-intelligenceArtificial Intelligence describes a field that develops and studies methods and software which enable machines to perceive their environment and uses learning and intelligence to take actions that maximize their chances of achieving defined goals – Wikipedia.
148
automationAutomation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, mainly by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines – Wikipedia.
115
cameraA camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film – Wikipedia.
91
data-visualisationData visualisation is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the graphic (or physical) representation of data.
244
environmentEnvironment, or built world, refers to the human-made environment that provides the setting for activity, ranging in scale from installations to buildings.
257
filmA film is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere through the use of moving images.
77
generativeThe term 'Generative' describes a process, in whole or in part, that is created using an autonomous system. An autonomous system in this context is generally non-human and can independently determine features that would otherwise require decisions made by the author/creator.
366
installationInstallation describes large-scale, mixed-media constructions, often designed for a specific place or for a temporary period of time.
658
interactiveThe term 'Interactive' describes a process/exchange between users and computers and other machines through an interface (physical or spatial).
128
interfaceAn interface is a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a system of exchange information. The exchange can be between software, computer hardware, peripheral devices, humans, animal-world, nature and combinations of these.
237
kinectKinect is a discontinued line of motion sensing input devices produced by Microsoft and first released in 2010. The devices generally contain RGB cameras, and infrared projectors and detectors that map depth through either structured light or time of flight calculations, which can in turn be used to perform real-time gesture recognition and body skeletal detection, among other capabilities.
76
machine-learningMachine learning (ML) is a field of study in artificial intelligence concerned with the development and study of statistical algorithms that can learn from data and generalize to unseen data, and thus perform tasks without explicit instructions.
68
networkA network may describe any form of an interconnected group or system, whether in computation or nature.
75
nftA non-fungible token (NFT) is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded. Types of NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and applications.
258
objectAn object is a thing that has physical existence but is not alive.
418
opencvOpenCV is a library of programming functions for real-time computer vision.
61
particlesIn the physical sciences, a particle is a small localized object which can be described by several physical or chemical properties, such as volume, density, or mass. In computation, it is mostly used as a point that may have a position and vector.
103
patternA pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner.
56
processA process is a series or set of activities that interact to produce a result; it may occur once-only or be recurrent or periodic. On CAN we use it to describe workflows or how a project came to be.
214
projectionA projection is a design technique used to display a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. Similarly it describes a way of displaying two-dimensional information in a physical space by using light.
187
roboticsRobotics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that includes mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, computer science, and others.
116
sculptureSculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth.
70
simulationA simulation is an imitative representation of a process or system that could exist in the real or speculative world.
99
socialOn CAN we refer to things as "social" when they facilitate the creation, sharing and aggregation of content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through different forms of communities and networks.
92
theoryA theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking.
57
typographyTypography is the technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed.
79
Lecturer – Computing Applications at Texas Tech University
The School of Professional Studies at Texas Tech University Online invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Lecturer position in Computing Applications to begin Spring 2026.
Freelance Producer/Director – Museum Media at RLMG
RLMG is seeking a visionary Producer/Director to lead the creative development of cinematic, story-driven media experiences for museums and cultural institutions.
Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Artist/Designer (T/TE) at University of Arizona
The School of Art at the University of Arizona invites applications for an interdisciplinary artist or designer whose practice bridges material exploration, object-making, 3D fabrication, and sculp...
Artistic Employee (m/f/d) Creative Technologist at Bauhaus-University Weimar
The Professorship of Interface Design in the Faculty of Art and Design is currently inviting applications for the position of Artistic Employee, Creative Technologist for the Media Art and Design d...
Designing Questions
Designing Questions introduces an alternative design pedagogy. At its core are speculative practices, world-building, material engagement, and storytelling, equipping students and practitioners to address urgent questions of our time.
Maintenance of Everything
Maintenance of Everything is an in-depth exploration of maintenance—and a powerful argument for its civilizational importance.
Incomputable Earth: Technology and the Anthropocene Hypothesis
This open access collection argues that climate breakdown represents an irreducibly incomputable problem that cannot be resolved through algorithmic optimization or cybernetic planetary management.
BiblioTech – ReReading the Post-digital Library
BiblioTech explores the changing role of the library, reading, writing, and publishing in a post-digital age.
Exhibiting for Multiple Senses – Art and Curating for Sensory-Diverse Bodies
Exhibiting for Multiple Senses looks into artistic and curatorial research practices that emphasize the multisensory character of the human body in the encounter with artworks.
SOLE – Artificial sun by Quiet Ensemble
Created by Quiet Ensemble, 'SOLE' is a 360 degree video-mapping that, thanks to the use of 49 video projectors, simulates the movement of the sun around the inside the hall of the Salone degli Incanti in Trieste.
Through Artificial Eyes – The inevitable cultural perspectives of NNs
Created by Richard Vijgen, 'Through Artificial Eyes' is an interactive installation that lets the audience look at 558 episodes of VPRO Tegenlicht (Dutch Future Affairs Documentary series) through the eyes of a computer vision Neural Network.
SMOG SEASON-Air Pollution Data
SMOG SEASON is a workpiece that pulled PM 2.5 data to satirically compare the bad effect of cigarette smoke on the human body with current Bangkok air pollution by expressing through pictures and warnings of a cigarette label.
The Abovemarine – ‘Small Freedom’ vehicle for José, the betta splendens
Created by Adam Ben-Dror, The Abovemarine is a vehicle that enables José, or any other fish to roam on the land freely
10 Most Memorable Projects of 2015
As 2015 winds down we look back at almost 200 extraordinary projects we’ve covered this year on CAN. And as is the case every year, picking the ten ‘best’ is hard if not impossible, a...
Returning the Gaze – Perpetual (male)surveillance
Created by Behnaz Farahi, ‘Returning the Gaze’ explores the complicity of the fashion industry with female objectification and sexual harassment. Comprised of a female model wearing a spacesuit-like outfit and accompanied by four robotic arms, the...
Encounters & Revelry at MUTEK 2016
The CAN/HOLO team is headed to Montréal for the 16th edition of MUTEK. A celebration of the best and brightest in audiovisual performance, we’ll be having ‘HOLO Encounters’ with several of the festival’s featured artists.
(Un)natural Phenomena – Daria Jelonek’s Technological Nature
‘Technological Nature’ is a recent short film by media artist and designer Daria Jelonek exploring the emulation of natural phenomena with technology. Auroras, rainbows, and glaring sunlight, are all recreated with everyday materials in an eerily ...
Trickle Down Aesthetics – Cellular Automata in recent works by Troika
A meditation on several recent Troika projects that render cellular automata with dice and anodised aluminium rather than pixels on a screen. Realized over the last four years, these works demonstrate how a prolonged investigation into a rudimenta...
Metamorphabet – Animated alphabet for iOS by Vectorpark
Created by Patrick Smith (Vectorpark), Metamorphabet is an all-ages animated (English) alphabet for the iOS. Poke, prod, drag, and spin the letters of the alphabet to reveal surprising and luminous transformations.
The Field of Hope – 2015 Milan EXPO China Pavilion
Designed by Tsinghua University team led by Danqing Shi, The Field of Hope is a lighting installation for the 2015 Milan EXPO China Pavilion. It consists of 30,000 metal “straws”, each with a LED diffuser tip, functioning as a 3-dimensional pixe...