It was a bright, cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. 1
2074
I discovered a room I had never seen before. The walls were adorned haphazardly with strange objects, kept in small transparent display cases. At first, I thought they were arranged this way to make them more visible, but then I realized it was to prevent them from being touched.
Next to each box, a small QR code sign read, “browse me.” Although QR codes are now considered old, our technology can still read them. This is because all our books are now intangible, to save space. You don’t need to touch them; the pages might cut your fingers, and the smell of an old book might cause allergies. It’s better this way-clean, transparent, the new normal. Everything is coded, it’s easier too; from one device, you have access to everything, to all the knowledge in the world. The best part is that every time you scan to read, a digital footprint remains on your device and on the network. This way, we know you have read it.
Artists: Vasilis Angelopoulos, Alexandra Dalaka, Dimitra Exarchou, Penny Gkeka, karl grümpe & rene p.g, Sofia Kyriakou, Elly Kyriazi, Athanasia Papatzelou, Eleni Sarli, Zoi Seitani, Theodora Tsiatsiou, Vivy Tsiogka, Panagiotis Voulgaris.
Curated by: Antigoni Kapsali
1. Orwell, G. (2021). 1984. Pataki Publications
2. Orwell, G. (2021). Nineteen Eighty-Four. Penguin Classics.