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Accept All Cookies? The ‘Cookies’ Exhibition Will Make You Think Twice

Cookies Exhibition, MISC, Foteini Vergidou

In an age where our every online move is documented, analyzed, and often exploited, the exhibition “COOKIES” opens a vital dialogue on the interplay between consent, care, and surveillance in the digital realm. Co-organized by TILT Platform and M.A.M.A. Contemporary, and curated by Fotini Vergidou, this thought-provoking exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the nature of their digital identities and the increasing complexities of our modern relationship with technology.

Unveiling Digital Narratives

At the heart of “COOKIES” lies the multifaceted exploration of the internet—not just as a space for interaction, but as a fertile medium that shapes experiences and narratives. Featuring a diverse group of Greek and international artists, the exhibition presents a rich tapestry of stories through a variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, video projections, films, and installations. Each work delves into the data we generate online, prompting critical questions about how digital technology reshapes our understanding of the world and the power dynamics at play between individuals and the platforms they engage with.

Cookies Exhibition, MISC Athens, Nicos Synnos
Nicos Synnos, Magic Cookies, 2024, Animation, video still, Courtesy of the Artist. MISC Athens

The Paradox of Convenience

The term “cookies,” while commonly associated with delightful treats, takes on a dual meaning in this context, referring to the small text files placed on devices by websites to enhance user experience. Artists utilize this juxtaposition to shed light on the often unrecognized digital processes of monitoring and manipulation that govern our online behaviors. The ease and convenience of accepting these “cookies” come at a cost—our digital identities are commodified, constructed from the data we provide without fully realizing the implications.

Every click, every ‘accept’ on terms and conditions, shapes a digital profile that is sold and traded, leading to a tailored online experience. The exhibition raises critical awareness about the nature of this trade-off: are we truly aware of the personal information we relinquish for the sake of a seamless experience, or have we been conditioned to accept these terms mechanically?

The Rise of Algorithmic Pedagogy

“COOKIES” also delves into the concept of “algorithmic pedagogy,” wherein individuals are subtly trained to accept algorithm-driven content as the only truth. This conditioning leads to shorter attention spans and increasingly reflexive decision-making, whereby the complexities of our choices are obscured. As visitors move through the exhibition, they are invited to confront the blurred boundaries of consent and to consider the long-term consequences of their digital actions.

Browser Based, Preference Management, 2024, Video installation, video still, Courtesy of the Artists. MISC Athens

Artists

Among the notable contributions are new commissions by Browser Based and Nicos Synnos. The exhibition features a diverse array of artists, each bringing a unique perspective to the ongoing conversation about digital identity.

Foteini Vergidou – Curator, researcher, and project manager based in Athens.

!Mediengruppe Bitnik – A contemporary artist collective based in Berlin, comprising Carmen Weisskopf and Domagoj Smoljo.

Browser Based – A collaboration of artists including Alex Zakkas, Martino Morandi, and Zsolt Mesterhazy, noted for their installation “Preference Management.”

Yiannis Christidis – Assistant professor at the Department of Fine Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology, documentary filmmaker, and musician.

Silvia Dal Dosso (Clusterduck) – Creative and film director, and researcher in digital technologies and web subcultures.

Heather Dewey-Hagborg – Artist and biohacker known for her biopolitical art.

Konstantin Economou – Greek-born Swedish academic and exhibition curator.

Yioula Hadjigeorgiou – Visual artist and assistant professor at the Cyprus University of Technology’s Department of Fine Arts.

Hypercomf – A multidisciplinary speculative design identity founded by artists Paola Palavidi and Ioannis Koliopoulos.

Vicky Pericleous – Visual artist and assistant professor at the Cyprus University of Technology’s Department of Fine Arts.

Sungsil Ryu – Artist focusing on the collision of indigenous traits and neoliberalism in Korea.

Zoe Samourka – Architect and visual artist known for her exploration of abstract expression and structural purity.

Andreas Savva – Artist exploring social, political, and economic themes through large-scale installations.

E Scourti – Artist and writer based in Athens and London.

Nicos Synnos – Animation filmmaker and visual artist, Associate Professor at the Department of Fine Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology.

As you navigate the exhibition, reflect on the traces you leave in the digital space and the evolving nature of your consent. “COOKIES” is more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to critically engage with the digital environment in which we live, urging us to think not only about our choices today but also the implications for our collective tomorrow.

Don’t miss this timely exploration of art and technology at “COOKIES”—a space where thought-provoking discourse meets creative expression.

Curated by: Foteini Vergidou – Curator, researcher, and project manager based in Athens.

Organized by: TILT Platform & M.A.M.A Contemporary

Venue: MISC Athens, Toussa Botsari 20, Athens

Duration: 18 December 2024 – 07 February 2025

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00 – 20:00 & Wednesday, Saturday: 15:00 – 19:00

The exhibition is realised with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus

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