Deep Work | Writing and Coding

The term 'deep work' originally comes from the field of computer science and describes a state of deep concentration. We also know this kind of immersion in a subject from artistic work processes, especially literary writing.
With our exhibition Deep Work | Writing and Coding we explore the connection between writing and coding, between human language and machine language. Both have a syntax, i.e. certain rules and patterns, and both work with the alphabet as an ordered set of basic characters.

On the second floor of the Rüschhaus we discover: As early as the 19th century, there were crucial developments that made our digital present possible. An augmented reality app allows us to experience this in Annette von Droste-Hülshoff's writing room with virtual exhibition objects: we meet Ada Lovelace, who is considered the first programmer and thought about a 'poetic science'. We get to know the Jacquard loom and the punch card system as the first software and approach the connection of the cultural technique of knitting and weaving with coding.

One floor up, a 'Coding Room' presents exhibition contributions by contemporary artists and scientists. Films, 3D videos and performances deal with gender relations in coding, text machines and artistic writing in the digital.