Engineering/Technology Festival Mesh in Münchenstein combines art and technology

The new Mesh festival on the Freilager campus in Münchenstein in the canton of Basel-Landschaft brings together electronic art and performances with scientific research and industrial technologies. The first edition is entitled "Tooling the Future".

Art and technology are often not far apart. This was demonstrated on Wednesday's tour of the extensive festival grounds around the University of Art and Design (HGK) of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and the House of Electronic Arts (HEK). Many of the artistic works come across as slightly alienated scientific research projects. Some of the works seem quite top-heavy, but also instructive.

This applies, for example, to the interactive work "The Sentinel Self" by Danish artist Sissel Marie Tonn. Using a heart rate monitor, visitors can immerse themselves in an underwater ecosystem and virtually expose themselves to the consequences of water pollution caused by microplastics.

The well-known Berlin-based media group Bitnik is using subversive and subtle humor. At various stations, from massage chairs to yoga mats, visitors can expose themselves to the geographical and tourist rating systems of social media platforms. For example, they are taken on a tour of poorly rated Basel locations and institutions that are actually among the highlights.

Tools of the future

The Mesh festival is supported by the HGK, the HEK and the Basel studio for media architecture iart. In addition to the various exhibitions, the intersections and overlaps between art and technology will be explored, including through panel events, lectures and workshops, as well as art performances, concerts and club nights.

The first edition of the biennial festival is entitled "Tooling the Future" and runs until Saturday.

SDA