DETECTING THE ALGORITHM
OF VIOLENCE IN INFRASTRUCTURES
OF VIOLENCE IN INFRASTRUCTURES
COLONIAL
ENDURANCE
Colonial Endurance. Detecting the Algorithm of Violence in Infrastructures, curated by TOK, explores mechanisms of exploitation, suppression and discrimination deeply rooted within infrastructural and architectural systems—both historically and in the present. The project focuses on built environments and industrial infrastructures that have been used to reinforce dependency and hierarchy between Western Europe and its colonies, as well as between Russia and the countries that used to be a part of the Russian Empire and the USSR.
Additionally, it investigates how alternative principles of care, horizontality and knowledge exchange can be integrated into contemporary spatial and infrastructural policies.
In the context of colonial oppressive patterns “algorithm” refers to the systematic and recurring nature of colonialism, regardless of the geographical and temporal context. Like an algorithm in computational systems, colonial patterns are programmed to execute specific actions and outcomes, operating in a predictable and repetitive manner. This suggests a deliberate and calculated design behind colonialism, where oppressive structures were replicated and adapted to different territories and cultures.
The project consists of an online-laboratory (Spring 2023), an exhibition at Nieuwe Instituut (Rotterdam, Summer - Autumn 2023) and an online archive. The project commenced with a comprehensive online laboratory. Collaborating closely with artists, experts, and researchers, the laboratory operated as a platform for the development of most part of exhibition works. The laboratory and exhibition results have been compiled into an open digital archive accessible to the public.
The project aims at discovering and stimulating loopholes in the predetermined social reality, which is based on principles of violence and inequality. Collectively and individually, the project participants developed artistic and scientific tools that could examine and undermine cycles of systemic violence.
The project is supported by Pro Helvetia and Stimuleringsfonds
Additionally, it investigates how alternative principles of care, horizontality and knowledge exchange can be integrated into contemporary spatial and infrastructural policies.
In the context of colonial oppressive patterns “algorithm” refers to the systematic and recurring nature of colonialism, regardless of the geographical and temporal context. Like an algorithm in computational systems, colonial patterns are programmed to execute specific actions and outcomes, operating in a predictable and repetitive manner. This suggests a deliberate and calculated design behind colonialism, where oppressive structures were replicated and adapted to different territories and cultures.
The project consists of an online-laboratory (Spring 2023), an exhibition at Nieuwe Instituut (Rotterdam, Summer - Autumn 2023) and an online archive. The project commenced with a comprehensive online laboratory. Collaborating closely with artists, experts, and researchers, the laboratory operated as a platform for the development of most part of exhibition works. The laboratory and exhibition results have been compiled into an open digital archive accessible to the public.
The project aims at discovering and stimulating loopholes in the predetermined social reality, which is based on principles of violence and inequality. Collectively and individually, the project participants developed artistic and scientific tools that could examine and undermine cycles of systemic violence.
The project is supported by Pro Helvetia and Stimuleringsfonds
