The Motto of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE 2023:
“Horizons of Hope. Dawn of Devices”
From 16 August 2023, Light Festival Karlsruhe will enter its ninth year. The festival will be held under the motto “Horizons of Hope. Dawn of Devices”, chosen by Peter Weibel, who was curator of Light Festival Karlsruhe and artistic and scientific director of the ZKM until his unexpected death in March this year.
“With the “Dawn of Devices” he left us the following thoughts: “From the hand axe to the computer mouse, human civilisation thrives on the progress of tools. The microscope and telescope have allowed humans to make things, res invisibiles, visible that are inaccessible to the naked eye. Radiation technology allows us to see the inside of the body without opening it. Through tele-technology, from television to the internet, we can distribute messages such as images, texts and sounds without the need for messengers to go anywhere. With the upright walk, two paws became two hands. With them, craftsmanship began. With my hands I could create tools and with these tools I could create new tools. Following the hand, the head became the most important tool with which research and the formation of theory were advanced as the central driver of progress and the emancipation of humanity from the state of nature. From astronomy to medicine, from bacteriology to biology, from chemistry to physics, these are the tools that open up new horizons for us and improve human life on planet Earth.”
The subtitle “Dawn of Devices” echoes the idea behind “Renaissance 3.0”, an exhibition at the ZKM conceived by Peter Weibel and running at the ZKM until 7 January 2024. In this context, he spoke of the new tools for art. At least six new shows will be presented every evening at Karlsruhe Castle from 16 August.
