software + art
re|thread is an open collective of computer scientists, artists, and designers, in Stockholm (Sweden). Our work lies at the intersection between software technology, art, interaction design, sonification, and visualization, and focuses on the use of software as the material and medium for artistic creation. Our work is fueled by the interest to explore the dynamic nature of software from multiple perspectives, addressing its many layers; from the sublimity and detail of each execution to the societal and political impact it has on our lives.
Through our work we aim to establish emotional and reflective bonds between citizens and the software that constantly surrounds us, transforming the way we experience software, and allowing for participation and collective imaginings of what software is and what we might want it to be. We see art as a means to explore these affective connections. Through artifacts and performances, we intend to cultivate curiosity of the scientific and technical aspects of software which appear to many as a “black box”. When presenting these obscure and perplexing concepts as open or shared and as aesthetically enchanting, knowledge about software can become accessible to citizens, allowing for informed decisions and more radically diverse systems of education and production.
