Vienna Digital Cultures is a new festival jointly organised by Foto Arsenal Wien and Kunsthalle Wien that takes place between 5–18 May. It consolidates both institutions’ commitment to exploring how new technologies impact culture, via a two-week programme of art, performance and discourse. Curated by Nadim Samman, the theme of the 2025 edition is ‘Model Collapse’.
Launching with online artwork commissions by Joey Holder and Most Dismal Swamp at viennadigitalcultures.at, the festival continues at Kunsthalle Wien Karlsplatz with an exhibition and events hosted at Angewandte Interdisciplinary Lab, Haus der Republik (Wiener Festwochen) – Funkhaus, PRST.club and REAKTOR.
The festival’s physical exhibition takes place at Kunsthalle Wien Karlsplatz and features five international artists known for probing the intersection of politics and digital culture. In the public area around Kunsthalle Wien Karlsplatz, an Augmented Reality (AR) installation by Vienna-based artists Belma Bešlić-Gál, Catherine Spet and Markus Wintersberger is presented under the title //ONTOLOGICAL_GLITCH:// – in collaboration with Kultur 1. Two evenings at REAKTOR showcase artist videos that explore generative AI in both form and content, shining cinematic light on some of the darker corners of our latent reality. The festival’s programme of talks begins with a keynote by Kate Crawford – author of the international bestseller Atlas of AI – at Angewandte Interdisciplinary Lab. Further speakers known for their contributions to discourse around machine learning, culture and politics speak throughout the festival, including an afternoon of conversation co-curated with Spike Magazine. Further artist talks, guided tours and workshops run throughout. Counter-balancing the festival’s interest in the darker side of digital – leading electronic musicians supply catharsis and re-embodiment during two club nights.
Vienna Digital Cultures 2025 Programme
Participants
Anthea (Partisan), Arvida Byström, Belma Bešlić-Gál, S()fia Braga, Caroline Busta, Arthur Chopin, Silvia Dal Dosso, DJ Terror, Kate Crawford, Phase Fatale, Paul Feigelfeld, Mathias Gramoso, Joey Holder, Lil Internet, Vladan Joler, Andrea Khôra, Chiara Kristler, Etapp Kyle, Inès Sieulle, Most Dismal Swamp, Klimentina Li, Jonas Lund, Malounadou, Eva & Franco Mattes, Misonica, Amanda Mussi, Matteo Pasquinelli, Marcin Ratajczyk, Rent, ROTOR / Michael Fischer, Ala Roushan, Ruth Schnell, Elke Schwarz, Catherine Spet, Klaus Speidel, Charles Stankievech, Felix Stalder, Troika, Emmanuel van der Auwera, Clemens von Wedemeyer, Markus Wintersberger, Antonia XM, …
Model Collapse
In machine learning, ‘model collapse’ is a key term that refers to problems that can arise during the training of large language models, including a loss of diversity and originality in generated outputs, excessive repetition, and amplified bias. But ‘model collapse’ is also an apt metaphor for the state of current affairs. From politics to ecology, many established systems are in disarray, and as the term ‘post-truth’ suggests, intellectual governance is no exception. Digital change is a key driver of this upheaval. With artificial intelligence rolling out across society, its impact upon these crises grows ever more significant. In 2025 Vienna Digital Cultures explores ‘model collapse’ in all its senses, inviting artists and thinkers to reflect on the disorientation and instability that characterize this moment in history.
Admission
Individual events: € 5
Festival pass: € 25
Free entry to all events with the Kunsthalle Wien annual pass for € 29.
Model Collapse is generously supported by Autotelic Foundation, a key partner of the 2025 Vienna Digital Cultures festival.
