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Time-based media art Concept Portfolio Erika Kassnel-Henneberg (*1973) is a conceptual and media artist with German-Romanian roots whose artistic works deal intensively and profoundly with the complex field of tension between man, technology and society. In a world that is increasingly characterized by technological developments and artificial systems, her work poses the central question of a new humanism – a humanism that not only preserves the human in the midst of digital transformations, but also redefines and rethinks it. Above all, her works reflect the profound change in our perception, identity and memory, which must be continually renegotiated in an increasingly digitalized reality. At the heart of Kassnel-Henneberg’s artistic practice is a critical examination of the far-reaching effects of digitalization on human self-image and social structures. Her works question the extent to which humans still exist as independent, autonomous subjects when artificial intelligence, algorithms and digital systems are increasingly influencing, controlling and in some cases even displacing areas of life. This thematic basis creates a profound discourse on the relationship between biological existence and technological expansion, which manifests itself in her art in diverse and differentiated ways. Kassnel-Henneberg sees her artistic practice as a connecting bridge between analog and digital worlds. She uses a broad and diverse spectrum of media and techniques to make aesthetic and conceptual interdependencies visible and tangible. She uses video, CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), artificial intelligence, Polaroid photography, collage and mixed-media approaches. Through this deliberate combination, she creates works that move between reality and simulation, between documentation and construction, and thus invites the audience to critically question their own perception of the present, which is often shaped by digital media. Kassnel-Henneberg’s cross-media approach allows her to present social and cultural developments in a multi-layered, complex context. The use of digital technologies such as CGI and artificial intelligence is not only in the service of visual design, but also functions as a critical tool to examine the mechanisms and far-reaching effects of these technologies on our everyday life and perception. At the same time, the deliberate use of analog techniques such as Polaroid or collage points to a return to the haptic, material aspects of the artwork and thus opens up an exciting, intermedial dialog between old and new, analog and digital. Her artistic career is characterized by a well-founded and interdisciplinary academic education. Erika Kassnel-Henneberg initially studied restoration at the renowned Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland. There she not only acquired manual skills and a deep technical understanding of the conservation of cultural artifacts, but also developed a keen awareness of the historical and social significance of art and cultural heritage. She then went on to study Interactive Media at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where she deepened and broadened her skills in digital technologies and media art. This interdisciplinary training forms the basis for her innovative artistic practice, which fuses traditional and modern techniques and creates new forms of visual and content communication. Kassnel-Henneberg’s artistic works have already received wide and lasting recognition and have been presented in numerous national and international exhibitions and media art festivals. Her solo exhibition “Uncanny Valley” at the Neue Galerie in the Höhmannhaus of the Augsburg Municipal Art Collections and Museums is particularly noteworthy. This exhibition impressively addressed the oppressive feeling of the uncanny that arises when artificial systems become increasingly similar to humans in appearance or behavior. It showed in a fascinating way how art can reflect social fears and hopes in relation to technology and humanity and stimulate discourse. Her work has also been shown several times at the renowned FILE – Electronic Language International Festival in São Paulo, Brazil. This festival is one of the world’s leading platforms for digital art and electronic media, underlining the international significance and relevance of Kassnel-Henneberg’s artistic work. Her presentations there confirmed her role as a significant voice in the contemporary media art scene, addressing the pressing issues of our time. Erika Kassnel-Henneberg was awarded the Krumbach Art Prize in 2013 for her book object “Heimat ist anderswo”. This analog work in the form of an edited historical photo album explores profound questions of identity, belonging and place. It thus reflects fundamental social issues that are becoming increasingly important in the face of global mobility and digital networking. In 2022, she also received the Augsburg District Art Prize for her complete works – a significant honor that recognizes her many years of artistic commitment as well as her outstanding contributions to contemporary art and media culture. In addition to her artistic work, Kassnel-Henneberg is also intensively involved in academia. She is a lecturer at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Augsburg Academy of Fine Arts. In these roles, she not only imparts in-depth artistic knowledge, but also promotes critical and reflective dialog on media, society and technology among students. Her pedagogical work thus complements her artistic practice and contributes significantly to the sustainable development and promotion of media art in Germany. She is also active on various jury committees, where she contributes her extensive expertise and many years of experience to support innovative and forward-looking positions in the contemporary art scene. Her commitment also extends to the promotion of media culture, where she supports and advises both established and up-and-coming artists and provides impetus for the further development of artistic discourse. Her work as a juror and mentor demonstrates her deep interest in promoting and strengthening cultural diversity and artistic innovation in the field of new media. Overall, Erika Kassnel-Henneberg’s artistic work is characterized by a consistent, reflective and multi-layered examination of the complex challenges and issues of our time. Her work invites us to reflect on the limits of being human in an increasingly digital and networked world and opens up new perspectives on identity, memory and social processes. By combining traditional and modern media, she creates an innovative, dynamic space in which artistic, technological and social issues are creatively interwoven – a central concern for art in the 21st century, which increasingly sees itself as a critical medium for dealing with digitalization. Erika Kassnel-Henneberg’s work makes a significant contribution to the current debate on the role of man and technology, on the preservation of humanism and on artistic reflection on social upheaval. Her artistic vision opens up new horizons and shows ways in which art can provide orientation in a complex world, raise questions and accompany change. With her interdisciplinary and cross-media practice, she is an example of contemporary art that is not only aesthetically impressive, but above all socially relevant. Time-based media art Concept Portfolio
© A C H T U N G K U N S T ! Erika Kassnel-Henneberg