Hijacked Information

How is information deliberately controlled, distorted, and exploited? What strategies of digital influence are used, from social media campaigns and automated bots to data-driven propaganda surrounding elections, war, or systematic violence against civilians?

Based on the 2023 displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as a case study, the conversation explores how narratives are hijacked to suppress understanding and thereby also resistance and collective action. Drawing on !Mediengruppe Bitnik’s artistic interventions, ranging from hijacking surveillance systems to producing “unreal data,” we discuss how artistic and activist practices can subvert these mechanisms of control.

Further information on the two artists from the !Mediengruppe Bitnik, who work with and on the internet as a medium: https://wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.bitnik.org/

More information on Karena Avedissian, whose research focuses on disinformation, security and social movements in Eurasia: https://www.karenaavedissian.com/

!Mediengruppe Bitnik will be present on site, and Karena Avedissian will join online.

Spontaneous participation on site is possible at any time. Participation via Zoom is also possible with prior registration via this link.

• Step-free access

• In spoken English

The event ‘Art in Conflict’ is part of a monthly discussion series that is organised by artasfoundation in cooperation with Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK, through their joint initiative CAP. The events are held at Gessnerallee and will be broadcast live to the media library of the Academy of Art and Design Basel, Freilager-Platz 1, Münchenstein, 8th floor