Cybernetics. Networked systems
04.06.2025 - 18.10.2025
GROUP EXHIBITION
DZ BANK Art Foundation
The exhibition "Cybernetics. Networked Systems" can be understood as an intermezzo, as a cheerful scenic interlude that sums up the attitude of the DZ BANK Art Foundation: interdisciplinary thinking and the uncovering, questioning and analysis of connections and processes - between living beings, the arts, sciences and technical and ecological systems. The exhibition picks up on past ideas and aims to develop impulses and connections from here. Cybernetics is the regulation of message transmission in living beings and machines. It is about the control of complex systems that are transferred from humans to machines. It is the continuous search for common structures and communication principles that are thought of in analogy to living organisms and social organizations.
The exhibition of works from the DZ BANK collection, which will be on display in Frankfurt from June 4 to October 18, 2025, is divided into four main areas: Perception and language. Communication as a complex system; Humans and computers. Communication with machines; Self-organized systems. Nature and the environment; Social systems. Seeing oneself through oneself. "Always act in such a way that the number of choices increases!" Heinz von Foerster Art is a complex system that arises from the center of our society and deals with a variety of different topics and methods.
Artists often work together with other experts and develop new techniques and insights. By devoting themselves to socially relevant developments, artists are constantly developing new skills that help them to literally grasp the issues. This talent connects them with scientists who are also looking for new insights and alternative methods. How does science begin? With a formula? With an experiment? With a mistake? Or with amazement? Artists are observers of a multitude of interwoven contexts; at the same time, they often observe and examine themselves by trying to take on the contents and become aware of them. This turns works of art into systems and artists into second-order cyberneticians. Just as artists are observers of contexts, visitors to the Exhibitions also become observers and thus part of this complex system of art.
DZ BANK Art Foundation
Platz der Republik
60325 Frankfurt am Main
T +49 69 7680588 00