Open Call RE:SEARCHING IT SECURITY
Open Call RE:SEARCHING IT SECURITY
21 October 2021, 1 PM - 24 November 2021, 6 PM CET
Our lives and our society are connected to the Internet. Energy supply, food transport, hospitals, water supply and media are just a few examples that rely on IT security solutions to ensure that we are protected.
Research on this topic is exciting and captivating - it is accompanied not only by the uncertainty of attacks, but also by the freedom to engage and discover new things. IT security has a positive impact on society and helps people protect their privacy. However, technical wording does not always make it easy to talk about and understand it. In addition, there are constantly new challenges in computer systems that cause great hurdles for users. The contextuality of the research requires a new artistic expression that manages to gain an interesting perspective on the research, to comprehend it and to raise the awareness of people/users about the relevance of IT security. Stimulating discourse has the potential to also provide creative momentum in research and create new value.
As an impetus for a change in awareness, the project aims to open up new spaces for dialog and reflection on the multifaceted topic of IT security. The aim is to achieve a better understanding of security technologies and explore tools for easier operation. Through an artistic journey, together with researchers from CASA and the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the impact of our digital existence on the social freedoms of society, and the systems on which it is based, will be investigated and rethought. The residency aims to stimulate critical dialogue on important issues such as privacy, surveillance, and cyberattacks, and to change the way people recognize and understand the potential dangers of technologies.
Highlights
Up to EUR 11.000 budget for the artist residency to cover artist fee (7.500€) and production of artwork (3.500€ - including transportation costs, travel and accommodation expenses, insurance)
Access to the Cluster of Excellence CASA and the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security (HGI) at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Access to new technologies in IT security
Participation in a public event in form of a symposium, including the presentation of the artwork
Visibility through communication activities by STATE to promote the artistic intervention
Duration of the residency
The residency lasts from 17/01/2022 to 18/03/2022 (+ 1 day symposium).
Residency
Researchers of the Cluster of Excellence CASA Cyber Security in the Age of Large-Scale Adversaries and of the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum open their laboratories to the artist and grant access to their studies, working materials and technical equipment. The scientific core of CASA consists of four main research areas, the so-called Research Hubs.
The primary goal of Hub A, "Future Cryptography", is to develop basic cryptographic solutions against large-scale adversaries. The development of novel encryption algorithms that are also resistant to quantum computers, for example, is just one of the hub's current research projects.
In Hub B, "Embedded Security", the interaction of security systems with their physical environment will be investigated. It analyzes security vulnerabilities in hardware and develops new tools to protect it from attacks.
"Secure Systems," Hub C, aims to develop intelligent and novel defenses that can use machine learning to detect unknown attacks.
Finally, Hub D, "Usability," seeks to make the research of these three technical centers, or security and privacy mechanisms, useful to both developers and end users.
Activities during the residency
The artist selected for the residency will be in constant exchange with the researchers during the residency in order to test, develop and realize his/her ideas. The main objective of this journey is to provide the artist with optimal conditions to conceive and realize his/her work within the time frame of the project.
Before the beginning of the residency, STATE organizes a kick-off workshop for the selected artist and the researchers. There they will have the opportunity to get to know each other, present their concepts and exchange initial ideas.
During the residency there will be regular encounters with the researchers and the organizers of the project.
For the completion of the residency and the presentation of the results, processes and the artwork from the collaboration, STATE organizes a digital symposium. This will give the broader public the opportunity to engage in deeper discourse, gain personal insights into the art-science program, and exchange ideas with the participating individuals. The moderated symposium will include keynote presentations, a panel discussion, and an inspirational format for the exchange of ideas.
Terms and conditions
During the residency, the artist is expected to engage with the researchers in a highly collaborative process, demonstrating a high degree of openness and in-depth and critical engagement with the subject matter.
The artist will travel to Bochum at least two times during the residency to participate in meetings or conduct field research.
The artist will create a presentable artwork that will be displayed in the symposium.
The artist will participate in the digital symposium (April/May, date tba).
The artist will be present at the kick-off workshop with the researchers on 09.12.2021 (Travel expenses can be reimbursed up to the amount of EUR 350 after submission of the expenses).
The artist will participate in bi-monthly meetings with the researchers and the organizers of the project.
The artist will report on the progress and outcome of the residency.
The artist will provide the necessary material for communication before, during and after the residency.
Application
The open call is open to professional and experienced artists from all art disciplines, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity or age.
Applicants can apply as individual artists or collectives.
In the application form, artists will be asked to submit a portfolio with previous work.
Individual artists or collectives from any country in the world are eligible provided that they can travel to Germany for the residency program and always provided that the Covid-19 situation allows it.
Only applications written in English will be evaluated.
Artist Selection
Selection criteria:
Artistic quality
Thematic fit
Reflection of contemporary issues
Feasibility of production
Artistic record
Artist selection: 26/11/2021 - 02/12/2021
Announcement of the artist: 03/12/2021
Financial and contractual arrangements
The grantee will receive the fund as follows:
50% at the beginning of the residency
50% after completion of the residency
After the selection, once formal checks have been successfully completed the selected artist will sign a Grant Agreement.
Contact
For any questions regarding the open call and residency program, please contact:
Christina Hooge
casa@state-studio.com
Find out more about the project here.
In cooperation with:
Credits
Editor: Hanna Kaufhold
Graphic design: Lea Gabler