NIKOLA LUTZ

extinct.algorithm

The Chinese state has created software that combines surveillance capitalism and the surveillance state in a way that is as perfect as it is perfidious. It records even the smallest of life expressions, such as social contacts, purchases, and cab rides, and subjects them to automatic evaluation. Its use is inescapable, because everyday things like payment transactions or access to public facilities are no longer possible without it. It allows officials to track people everywhere in real time. The result is a fatal coincidence of tremendous pragmatism with an equally tremendous array of abusive uses. The historically first victims of this horrific weapon are the Uyghurs, who are currently suffering the first algorithmic genocide in history in China. extinct.algorithm tries to make this visible and tangible.

With an interactive billboard extinct.algorithm informs about the events and provides background information. An important node of the tracking is the attachment of forms by the government to the houses of the Uyghurs. On these, data such as name or ID number as well as a QR code are publicly visible. Representatives of the authorities scan these codes and thus immediately receive information about the whereabouts, activity or family of the persons concerned. In the installation extinct.algorithm, exhibition visitors are offered the opportunity to print out their own - real or false - data as well as comments as a poster and integrate them into the installation as an act of solidarity. In this way, the poster wall grows with each visitor. The process is documented and can thus also be followed on the project's website.

It is now also possible to participate in the project. Just click on the link to the user interface and follow the instructions. At the end of the process, I will receive a form by email that will be included in the next realization. Please subscribe to my newsletter to be notified when the event takes place.
china
surveillance
human rights
politics
digitalization
uyghur
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